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Otia · 12-04-2018, 15:12

This sailboat concept can take wind head on:

But is this sailing?

What if you could have a power unit based on an electrical motor, a fuel cell with on-demand hydrogen production with a huge autonomy, would you give up the sails? Is it still sailing?
These power units may come in a future not so distant.

Dave_S · 12-04-2018, 15:15

Ha ha. :-)

But it still won't take wind head on and make ground.

belizesailor · 12-04-2018, 15:41

How do you reef that?

LoudMusic · 12-04-2018, 15:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by belizesailor

How do you reef that?

https://www.walmart.com/reviews/product/43110133

Otia · 12-04-2018, 15:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by belizesailor

How do you reef that?

Lol - really good question :/

markpierce · 12-04-2018, 16:35

It is obviously a motor boat; not a sailboat.

markpierce · 12-04-2018, 16:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by belizesailor

How do you reef that?

Changing the pitch of the windmill blades.

IslandHopper · 12-04-2018, 16:42

WIND POWERED SHIPS MARINE RENEWABLE ENERGY RESEARCH ROTARY SAILS

Otia · 12-04-2018, 16:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by markpierce

It is obviously a motor boat; not a sailboat.

It runs with the wind. It is mechanically coupled to a prop.

clockwork orange · 12-04-2018, 18:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by markpierce

It is obviously a motor boat.

This has been tried before but never caught on. I remember a guy in New Zealand had a modified Yachting World Diamond monohull with windmill power probably 30 - 40 years ago, and there was also a large Tennant catamaran. The achillies heel is downwind. The strong point is vmg upwind. I can't even imagine it being practical on a mono. I think its pretty much a one trick pony. I don't know how you would define it though, its wind powered, not engine powered.

Steve.

seandepagnier · 12-04-2018, 18:47

I think there are problems with gyroscopic effects in big waves. using counter rotating propellers can help, and it would also boost the power as well, but complicates the design

This obviously is very poor performance compared to sails in all angles except upwind.

Now, what about using kites most of the time for long runs? Use the windmill near shore.

**StuM** · 12-04-2018, 18:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by clockwork orange

I think its pretty much a one trick pony. I don't know how you would define it though, its wind powered, not engine powered.

IMNSHO:
It's definitely a power-driven vessel. The fact that the power is derived from a wind turbine is irrelevant. It's only a sailboat if the force of the wind is directly transferred to the vessel's motion through the sails (and their rigging).

clockwork orange · 12-04-2018, 19:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by boat_alexandra

I think there are problems with gyroscopic effects in big waves. using counter rotating propellers can help, and it would also boost the power as well, but complicates the design

This obviously is very poor performance compared to sails in all angles except upwind.

Now, what about using kites most of the time for long runs? Use the windmill near shore.

These things have very large props turning at slow speed I think so you would want to get it out of the water to reduce drag. A variable pitch prop that size would be pretty spendy I would think.