A more plausible form of high tech wind propulsion for ships is the Walker wingsail which although it has had an unfortunate commercial history is technically proven. (An early unit was successfully used on a cargo vessel nearly 20 years ago and one of the yachts using the technology sailed undamaged through a class 3 hurricane whilst crossing the Atlantic).
Hopefully recent rises in oil prices may finally mean that this technology gets the development it deserves.
The former has just popped up in the news (sadly through failure of the attempt due to too-many-hurricanes): bbc news item (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/somerset/4282336.stm)
This is too funny - from the other one: the shipping industry is conservative, Kanstrup warns, and it will need a lot of convincing before it adopts sails - plus ca change..
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...ie don't try to sail upwind?
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Hopefully recent rises in oil prices may finally mean that this technology gets the development it deserves.
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(And http://www.dcss.org/speedsl/ for some more dinghy sized ones.)
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bbc news item (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/somerset/4282336.stm)
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I think Jack Aubrey might have something to say about that rather sweeping statement!
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