Knut MoråJun 30, 2023
@daycoder @stavvers @Jennifer_Pinkley Yep-- This is an engineering challenge, and not because putting a kite up is difficult, but because making a system that requires minimal maintenance and management compared to the fuel savings it provides _is_ difficult when you're competing with marine diesel engines.
Show threadBilly SmithJun 30, 2023

@kdund @daycoder @stavvers @Jennifer_Pinkley

Spinnakers have been in use for centuries.

Show threadKnut MoråJun 30, 2023
@BillySmith @daycoder @stavvers @Jennifer_Pinkley Of course. But they were used on sailing ships with large crews dedicated to managing rigging, and there was no diesel engine on board that could propel the ship reliably and economically. Now there is, and these new systems must pay for themselves in this new context.
That is very different from usual techbro-work-- the engineering here is to make something that pays for itself in a heavily regulated industry.
Show threadKnut MoråJun 30, 2023
@BillySmith @daycoder @stavvers @Jennifer_Pinkley Also, on sailing ships, almost by definition, the ship would travel to catch a good wind, while nowadays, demanding course deviations would not be acceptable to any great extent.
Show threadDave IrvingJul 1, 2023
@kdund @BillySmith @daycoder @stavvers @Jennifer_Pinkley
You're forgetting that cargo ships relied on ocean currents to a great extent, and still do. A lot of ships going to Asia from Europe still bounce off South America.
Show threadAlexander The 1st

@daveirving @kdund @BillySmith @daycoder @stavvers @Jennifer_Pinkley Sure, but they go by ocean currents, not winds; and deviating further to try and get more wind is...likely to make ship traffic take longer, and be more difficult to handle multiple ships crossing a singular passageway.

Also, imagine trying to sail through the Suez Canal - the EverGiven has enough difficulty as it is.

Jul 1, 2023 at 6:45pmWeb
Show threadDave IrvingJul 2, 2023

@AT1ST @kdund @BillySmith @daycoder @stavvers @Jennifer_Pinkley
Sailing ships used the currents because it reduced voyage time.

You probably need to read up on naval history.

Show threadAlexander The 1stJul 2, 2023

@daveirving @kdund @BillySmith @daycoder @stavvers @Jennifer_Pinkley I might be misunderstanding something (Do all currents align with winds?), but regardless:

There were way less sailing ships back in the day than there are engine ships now, especially along the exact same routes at the same time. That is partially a problem - especially given the Suez and Panama Canals not being very particularly wide.