Slog - Comments on Back to the Future http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/01/giving_sailboats_another_try The world's first commercial cargo ship partially powered by a giant kite is setting sail from Germany to Venezuela. The designers of the MS Beluga Skysails say the computer-controlled kite, measuring 160sq m (1,722sq ft), could cut fuel consumption by as much as 20%. Rest of the story is here. The SkySails website ("turn the wind into profit!") is here.... Copyright 2008 Tue, 22 Jan 2008 14:55:43 -0800 Tue, 22 Jan 2008 21:48:04 -0800 http://www.movabletype.org/?v=3.34 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Comment by STJA Your title says it all: isn't that just a sail? And haven't we had partially motor-powered sailboats for a while now?

]]> STJA http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/01/giving_sailboats_another_try#c905518 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/01/giving_sailboats_another_try#c905518 Enviro Tue, 22 Jan 2008 15:22:40 -0800 Comment by Y.F. Wow, scientists have invented a sailboat! What will they think of next!

]]> Y.F. http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/01/giving_sailboats_another_try#c905588 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/01/giving_sailboats_another_try#c905588 Enviro Tue, 22 Jan 2008 16:03:56 -0800 Comment by Will in Seattle Next thing you know they'll suggest we use high-speed passenger and freight trains that travel at 200-300 mph and use 1/8th the energy and release 1/6th the global warming emissions instead of jet planes ...

Nah. The oil lobby will kill that.

]]> Will in Seattle http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/01/giving_sailboats_another_try#c905630 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/01/giving_sailboats_another_try#c905630 Enviro Tue, 22 Jan 2008 16:27:24 -0800 Comment by Eleanor Iselin Hmmmm, traveling from Germany (ex-Nazis) to Venezuela (Godless Communists)

That pretty much says all you need to know about this so-called technology.

]]> Eleanor Iselin http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/01/giving_sailboats_another_try#c905906 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/01/giving_sailboats_another_try#c905906 Enviro Tue, 22 Jan 2008 21:48:04 -0800