'Vindskip' cargo ship uses its hull as a giant sail

cnn ^ | Peter Shadbolt,

[BenLurkin]

Called the "Vindskip," the Norwegian design uses the high sides of its container ships as sails, turning the whole vessel into a wind-assisted airfoil.

Designed by Lade AS, the Oslo-based company says the hybrid merchant ship -- which would still have a liquefied natural gas-powered engine -- could achieve fuel savings of 60% and reduce emissions by 80%.

It's the brainchild of Terje Lade, who used his skills as a speed sailor to develop his aerodynamic design. He says the futuristic container ship works more like an airplane than a conventional sailing ship.

....

The ship would be able to point as high as 18 degrees into the wind, the vacuum created on the lee side of the vessel (the side sheltered from the wind) enough to propel the ship forward.

[Gamecock]

I packed my rod and reel. 30 hours later, lost in the fiord, a welcoming smile. Thank goodness she spotted the epaulettes on my Norwegian ice-fishing vest.

[Perseverando]

Some really great pictures of wind assisted inventions for ships at the source.

I think we need some input from FR’s favorite authority on sailing.

[ShadowAce]

[Tenacious 1]

Curious for later

[Maine Mariner]

I wonder how stable the ship will be. It looks like it
will not have a very deep draft even when loaded. The ship’s designers will have an interesting time dealing stability issues.

[Maine Mariner]

I wonder how stable the ship will be. It looks like it
will not have a very deep draft even when loaded. The ship’s designers will have an interesting time dealing stability issues.

[grobdriver]

Can you say, “knock down”?

[Hatteras]

How many hikers would you say can fit along that gunwale? ;-)

[camle]

looks unstable to me. very top heavy

[Pecos]

In my world, we refer to this as “Powerpoint Engineering”.

[MasterGunner01]

Several questions about Vindskip:
1. What is it's proposed draft. Major ports are hard pressed to accommodate the current bunch of huge container ships due to drafts approaching 40 feet fully loaded.
2. How will the ship be maneuvered in a confined area like a port when there is any kind of wind? With the huge sail area, the ship will be difficult to maneuver. Its own engines and the tugs can only do so much against such a huge hull designed as a sail.
3. Last, and my main concern, what's the life expectancy of the crew on this ship surviving a major storm at sea. I'd guess virtually NIL.

[SWAMPSNIPER]

How much does she draw?

[zeugma]

If it’s cost effective, then good for them. Environmentalist bovine excrement doesn’t even come into the equation. If it relies on subsidies to make it work from an economic standpoint, then it’s bogus.

[reed13k]

Might have one of those longer keel “fins” like some of the speed sailing boats to help limit heeling.

[tet68]

Get back to me when it’s rounded the Horn a few times
or at least once.

[Mat_Helm]

Wouldn’t it be cheaper just to build a normal hull and add sails on masts?

[Conan the Librarian]

A bit bigger than the sail boat we just bought.

The following link is a picture of our new House: A 36 foot Tashiba

http://cdn.bluewaterboats.org/gallery/tashiba-36/tashiba36-flyingcloud-aftquarter.jpg

Sorry, can’t embed it right now.

[Conan the Librarian]

Forgot to add that the picture was taken by the previous owner. She is a little different now.

[GeronL]

strange looking

sort of like something out of a sci-fi vision