this post was submitted on 16 Jul 2023
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[–] [email protected] 26 points 2 years ago (3 children)

To not take up deck space, it looks like they'll be more like this than sails:

[–] [email protected] 15 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago) (1 children)

The next idea someone will have will be the ability to angle the 'kite'. This enables you to direct thrust when the wind isn't blowing the perfect direction. This might require something new and rigid, like a 'mast'.

[–] [email protected] 10 points 2 years ago

They don't really want to sacrifice deck space though. It'd be more efficient that way, but would mean they can carry much less cargo

[–] [email protected] 7 points 2 years ago (1 children)

So will these "kite boats" have engines as well, with kites being used to reduce the time for it cross the alantic and thus carbon emmissions. Or is the aim that the kite boats won't need engines.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 2 years ago

Right now it's just to decrease fuel consumption

[–] [email protected] 4 points 2 years ago (1 children)

How do you account for wind direction with something like that? With a sail you can steer into the wind.

[–] [email protected] 9 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Fore and aft rigged ships sail into the wind pretty well, but square rigged ships were better outfitted for running with the trades. This design would probably do something similar, but yeah, next they'll invent masts and yardarms and booms, and then we'll be back to squabbling over trade routes in the Caribbean.

[–] Viking_Hippie 2 points 2 years ago

Arr! Shiver me..steel construction?

[–] [email protected] 10 points 2 years ago (1 children)

I bet you could sell a lot of them.

[–] JustALeatherBoot 9 points 2 years ago

I hope this idea sets sail

[–] [email protected] 7 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago)

Transcription:

truly-sincerely 🔁 piratepolls


piratepolls

(image of a tweet)

It's Joever @JosephGCarson • 20h

We're so back
(An image of a cargo-ship with giant 'kites' affixed to it)

CNN @CNN • 21h
Giant kites could pull cargo ships across the ocean - and slash their carbon emissions cnn.it/3NV8ec3


truly-sincerely

(Screenshot of a tag)

#if only there were a name for these kites that are attached to the ships


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Original Post (Tumblr)

[–] [email protected] 7 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago)

What an amazing invention. Wait until someone invents a wooden stick with a flattened end that you push through the water and propels vessels forward using only manual labor.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 2 years ago

Whoa! 🤯 Wind powered ship!

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