Earth Ball Man At Ocean Isle

Roger Drowne (that’s really his last name!) has been turning heads on the intracoastal waterway in his Earth Ball, a combination of pentagons and octagons.

In this video he waves at us as he travels past Ocean Isle Beach NC on December 6, 2009.

Mr. Drowne left Wilimington NC on November 9th – he doesn’t seem to be in any hurry as he makes his way to Key West!

He used treated lumber to create the nearly self-contained habitat.

Drowne said “It’s very simple, this went together in about 5 months”

Drowne made his 11-foot tall Earth Ball for less than $600. It is a place that where he will have a lot of time to spend. He is traveling in his Earth Ball to Key West, FL and hopes to complete the trip in 45 days.

Drowne hopes to spread the message of ecology and economy during his month and a half long voyage. He believes that with his craft he can cut his impact on the environment by 90%.

“The wind generator up top gives me my 12 volt batteries – I have 2 batteries, and that’s enough for refrigeration and lights, it powers my computers, my inverter, so I have 110 power on board. It’s all here.” said Drowne.

He has all the amenities that one might find necessary for a voyage of this long distance including primitive necessities, modern conveniences and of what all homemade hexagonal wooden boat captains need on board – life jackets.

The military veteran plans to travel around the world in his Earth Ball after his trip to Key West,.

Click here to watch a video of an interview with Mr. Drowne on Wilmington’s WECT News