You say that, but modern sail concepts are a thing and are already in place as hybrid shipping solutions. Boats require a LOT of energy to do their thing, so any savings translates to big numbers.
Yes, I’m only bothered by the notion that we should ask sailors to start faffing with sails again. It was harder and more dangerous. It’s a good addition, but relying on it seems not worth it when we’ve gotten past it.
I’ve personally raised sails at sea, it’s not that hard. But going up into the mast, especially when the weather starts getting serious, is not something sailors should have to do again if they they don’t have to. It’s practically more suitable as an extreme sport. Human lives were just worth less back then.
But having them as efficiency assists, maybe even just sailing with the engine as a backup, that would be great.
The sails used by large ships now are rigid. They are angled by motors, they are depowered by being stalled
These ships can use wind to push them forward or rearward, accelerate or brake. They don’t need additional crew, they don’t need any specially trained crew
You say that, but modern sail concepts are a thing and are already in place as hybrid shipping solutions. Boats require a LOT of energy to do their thing, so any savings translates to big numbers.
https://cinea.ec.europa.eu/news-events/news/new-wind-powered-cargo-ship-sets-sail-2023-08-22_en
Yes, I’m only bothered by the notion that we should ask sailors to start faffing with sails again. It was harder and more dangerous. It’s a good addition, but relying on it seems not worth it when we’ve gotten past it.
I’ve personally raised sails at sea, it’s not that hard. But going up into the mast, especially when the weather starts getting serious, is not something sailors should have to do again if they they don’t have to. It’s practically more suitable as an extreme sport. Human lives were just worth less back then.
But having them as efficiency assists, maybe even just sailing with the engine as a backup, that would be great.
The sails used by large ships now are rigid. They are angled by motors, they are depowered by being stalled
These ships can use wind to push them forward or rearward, accelerate or brake. They don’t need additional crew, they don’t need any specially trained crew