How to design a sailing ship for the 21st century?

Re:How to design a sailing ship for the 21st century? by atlantageek on Monday May 17, 2021 @02:56PM (#27186869)

I struggle with this whole article. It implies keeping a sailing ship labor intensive just with a few electric winches. Wing Sails seem like a better approach and I assume they are much less labor intensive.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:How to design a sailing ship for the 21st century? by jasonwatkinspdx on Monday May 17, 2021 @03:22PM (#27187238)

You're spot on. I've followed this topic area for some years out of curiosity. Saildrone style wingsails only require a very small electric actuator to move a control surface. The control surface sets the overall net angle of attack of the assembly. The wing tracks the wind, only needing the control surface changed as the bow crosses the wind.

A system like this can be entirely labor free.

Tall ships on the other hand... I don't care how many electric winches you have, they'll always require massive numbers of people for sail handling.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:How to design a sailing ship for the 21st century? by irishjohnnie on Monday May 17, 2021 @04:54PM (#27188316)

Yup. OceanWings by VPLP https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/vplp-design-signs-its-f...

[ Parent | on HN ]