sails can help to propel ships: who knew?

[jrtom]

http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSL1548100520071217?sp=true

Frankly I'm shocked that this is apparently only catching on _now_. Why isn't this a no-brainer?

Comments

Re: Sail

[madeoutofpeople.livejournal.com]

As far as I can tell, it's a little different than classic sail technology. Classic sails were rigid masts sticking out of the deck, and waiting for favorable wind to blow in your direction using basic drag principles. More recent sails (as of the 17th century, I think) were rigid masts sticking out of the deck, plus a deep keel, that could take advantage of winds in about 180 degrees of spectrum by using aerodynamics.

This is getting pulled by a really frickin' big kite 1000 feet up. The wind 1000 feet up is steady, and not very gusty, but it's a very different technology.

That said, it's not clear to me why sailboat-style masts aren't being installed on really big hulls.