Easy to operate (fully automatic) the SkySail will be on many a cargo ship in the near future. Depending on the prevailing wind conditions, a ship’s average annual fuel costs can be reduced by 10 to 35% by using the SkySails-System. Under optimal wind conditions, fuel consumption can temporarily be cut by up to 50%.
Unlike a traditional sail the SkySail runs 100 to 400 meters up and out in front of the ship. Per square foot of sail, the Skysail is 3x more effective than traditional sails. And quite amazingly, the sail literally unfolds and folds itself at the touch of a button on the bridge.
The Skysail is also available for other ships over 80 feet in length. The package, which includes sails and winch as well as software for plotting efficient routes, costs from 300,000 to 3 million dollars. But with today's prices of fuel the sail might pay for itself in three years. Cargill plans to have a SkySail on a 25,000 to 30,000 ton vessel by December of 2011. The tests on a 55-meter, 800-ton ship have gone well. SkySails Hamburg, Germany. All pics: www.skysails.info/english
Worth a watch!
Small Boat owners, don't dismay!
Not the SkySail but the KiteShip is for you.
Kiteship is a California company with offices in Martinez, CA and Gainesville, Florida. www.kiteship.com
Great product, now how about toning down the price!
Nick Palmer
Posts: 2
Paragliders Reply #1 on : Sat March 02, 2013, 11:25:35
300,000 to 3 million dollars?
These sails are essentially large beefed up paragliders. Currently, a very much more hi-tech paraglider than this simple design is about $3000. Let's quadruple that cost as the materials needed would be stronger =$12,000 max. Winch and cable wouldn't add too much.
This could be done a lot cheaper and thereby be adopted much faster and more widely.
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Reply #2 on : Thu April 25, 2013, 06:27:18
Posts: 2
Reply #1 on : Sat March 02, 2013, 11:25:35