New Age Trawler/Motorsailer; Kite assisted PowerYacht

Every little step adds to the equation.

But note that this is not really a 'flying' kite in the sense that it is an aero-wing like the Skysail kite. So it won't go upwind, nor likely generate extra force by apparant wind flying. It will pull you along, but that force will deminish as you go faster.

 

The biggest problems for Skysails were not related with computing or kite control but rather 'mechanical ones', as far as I know. Things like the different elongation rate of wiring and rope for the traction cable, the full automatizing of the launching-recovering system, etc.

They have invested well over 15 million euros in development and so they will have to sell a lot to recover that. There was a project for a Robert Humphrey designed pleasure trimaran, but never went ahead the designing stage.

 

Omega Sails

I think the Omega Sails kite is intended as a very simple
low cost kite, that does´t require constant attention (flying).

It provides range extension for power craft on off wind courses.
They managed to sail a Catalac catamaran from the Canaries
to Antilles in approx 30 days using zero fuel.

Mike

 

Creative Tri-Hull Experiments

Here is a fellow out in New Caledonia that is doing some very creative experimentations with tri-hull designs...

....interesting subject thread, and photos, and prototypes:

http://www.boatdesign.net/forums/boat-design/trimaran-motorboat-stabilized-monohull-29665-4.html

 

Hybrid Design Success

Maybe there are some lessons to be learned from the success of this new hybrid Greenline vessel:

http://www.greenlinehybrid.com/



PS: just found this rather big discussion of this vessel over here on the forums,
http://www.boatdesign.net/forums/hybrid/most-inspiring-proven-hybrid-34228.html

 

See my blog post for today.......http://blog.tadroberts.ca/2011/01/the-hybrid-myth-greenline-33/

 

pretty scathing review Tad but it makes sense

cheers
and always interesting to read your stuff
B

 

I quite agree with your opinion about the late "green myth" in motorboating Tad. Nothing as green as a efficient diesel engine and efficient prop in a efficient hull at efficient speed.

The only real and fully "green" propulsion in boating is windpower, as it has always been. And even this can be questioned in terms of economic efficiency depending on use!

Cheers.

 

don't forget beans and ors

 

Guillermo....

Thanks for your note and the best of the season to you and your family....

Yes, as we've discussed before people apparently don't see that being "green" requires one to stop consuming.......

The greenest solution I can see right now is buy an old Bayliner (32's are available at $25k here, twin gas) and install one of the smallest VW diesels....though rebuilding an old Perkins would be even better.....

 

Not really scathing. Mainly the intelligent application of well known basic principles.

 

Nanni Diesel Hybrid Power

Here is another interesting hybrid discussion:

http://www.boatdesign.net/forums/hybrid/nanni-diesel-hybrid-propulsion-35546.html

 

Tad,
I have been thinking of doing just what you suggest for my next boat. Using the Bayliner 32 as an example what size engine would you need to be able to cruise at 8 knots. I would think that two 40 hp perkins 4108's diesels should be sufficient in this example. Or maybe two Kubuto diesels. Any idea on what the fuel consumption might be?

 

Cargill ship will be largest ever to utilize kite power

For the past ten years, Hamburg-based SkySails has been engineering and producing what are essentially giant kites, designed to help ships reduce their fuel use by catching the wind and pulling them across the surface of the ocean. The system was put into regular shipping use for the first time in 2008, when one of the kites was attached to the 132-meter (433-foot) multi purpose heavy lift carrier MS Beluga SkySails. Now, Cargill Ocean Transportation has announced that it plans to use the technology on one of its long-term charter ships, a vessel of between 25,000 and 30,000 deadweight tonnes (27,558 to 33,069 US tons). It will be the largest kite-assisted ship in the world.

The kite will measure 320 square meters (382.7 square yards), and will fly ahead of the ship in a figure-8 pattern at a height of 100 to 420 meters (328 to 1,378 feet). Its flight path will be controlled by an automated system, and the kite itself will be launched and retrieved via a winch-equipped telescoping tower on the bow – definitely a better approach than having someone desperately bracing themselves against the deck of the ship, while clutching a couple of control lines! Information regarding the system's operation will be displayed on a monitor on the ship's bridge, although it is said to require a minimum of input from the crew.

Use of a SkySails sysytem is claimed to reduce a cargo vessel's fuel consumption by an average of 10 to 35 percent annually, and by up to 50 percent temporarily. Due to its "dynamic flight maneuvers," the kite reportedly generates 5 to 25 times more power per square meter sail area than a conventional sail. A study by the United Nations' International Maritime Organization suggested that up to 100 million tonnes (110.2 million US tons) of carbon dioxide could be saved each year, if the technology was broadly applied to the world's merchant fleet.

Cargill plans to install the SkySails system this December, and hopes to have it fully operational within the first quarter of 2012.
http://www.gizmag.com/cargill-ship-will-be-largest-ever-to-utilize-kite-power/18005/

 

SkySails seem to be slowly but firmly going ahead. Good for them.
Although I do not agree reducing CO2 emissions is good for the environment. Only good from the point of view of saving fuel costs.

Cheers.