One mobo owner seems to have had enough of fuel bills!

[Captain_Wolfie]

Not sure if this has been posted before.

http://www.time.com/time/2006/techguide/bestinventions/inventions/transportation6.html

 

[chasroberts]

If you think that looks like fun check this out. Now then that does like it could be fun????

 

[oldharry]

Looks a bit like he 'Solar Powered Boat' in Chi Harbour -what worries me about that one is the hefty 3phase charging supply it seems to have to be hooked to regularly - not quite the environmentally "friendly" power source it claims to use? Mind you todays 'sun' would probably charge it about enough to go a dozen yards at half a knot!

 

[Achillesheel]

What is the point of this technology when sails already exist?

 

[PuffTheMagicDragon]

While wishing them good luck, I would not be too keen on having a horizontal rigid 'foil' permanently fixed above my head, especially when it is gusting wind of considerable force.

Back in the early sixties, when trimarans still had 'solid' wings, there were some spectacular capsizes. One of the most notable was that of a Crowther(?) design during speed tests. A gust caught the underside of the windward wing and the boat literally flew off of the wave in a sort of roll!

This led to the adage that "if you design boats that look like airplanes, don't be surprised when they take off" /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Captain_Wolfie]

I agree fully. I thought it looked like a daft construction. If it does not flip in strong winds I would imagine rough seas would put a lot of strain on the solar panel platform. And if it breaks, where are the sails to get them out of trouble /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif And as Achillesheel said, what is the point? It is like re-inventing the wheel!

 

[Stemar]

It's horses for courses.

Of course it would be lethal mid-channel in a blow on a dark night, but it's a logical design for sheltered water in warm climates. Zero 'on site' emissions make it particularly suitable for showing off fragile ecosystems to tourists.

 

[oldharry]

[ QUOTE ]
What is the point of this technology when sails already exist?

[/ QUOTE ] So you can go in a straight line upwind? /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif