KiteShip

Kite-sail, once it has been perfected, could be a huge advantage because:

1. a kite is aerodynamically more efficient than a standard spinnaker - it doesn't just pull like a spinnaker, but "sails" back and forth at the end of its tether(s) thereby increasing the apparent wind it "sees".
2. a kite is deployed aloft where there is more wind than the surface winds in which normal sails operate.

If there's a man who knows about Kite sailing it has to be Dave Culp.
Dave began professionally designing kite powered boats in 1978 at the age of 24.
Culp-designed kite boats were entered at the Johnny Walker Speed Weeks in 1978--1981 and the Schmirnoff Speed Weeks in 1986--1988 in Weymouth, England.
Culp also co-designed and built a rigid winged 28 foot hydrofoil, a dozen kite powered craft between 14-30 feet and the OutLeader Brand rule-legal spinnaker replacement kites for America's Cup Class and other yachts.

According to him:

"With suitable budget and current technology, 100-120 kph (55-65 kts) is achievable, in my opinion. Above that is also possible, but will require some fundamental advances in design philosophy."

Dave Culp is currently the President of KiteShip Corporation.

KiteShip Corporation is dedicated at developing wind power for about any kind of ship, yacht, transoceanic deliveries and support craft.
They even cater for Aerospace and industrial. In fact, any application where large amounts of controlled, inexpensive power from wind is needed can be benefited by this technology.

KiteShip develops and markets Very Large Free Flying Sails (VLFFS) and control systems, technology and techniques for launching, controlling and recovering same aboard boats, ships, industrial and aerospace applications.
KiteShip is even working on programs to explore the surface of Mars.
As they explain at their site:

"Sailing doesn't require wind over water or even wind over land. KiteShip can exploit the differential between an underwater current and still water nearby or that between the Earth's jet stream and still air above, below or alongside to sail using a pair of tethered wings, one in each fluid. Twin-kite technology unleashes such vehicles from ground level limitations. We can sail on the Earth's jet stream at hundreds of mile per hour under complete control over millions of miles of surface to maintain station in the Earth's stratosphere for surveillance and communication applications, and the outer Solar System gas giant planetary atmospheres."

Although Kite-sailing technology sounds like sci-fiction to many people, Dave Culp and Chief Technician Dean Jordan have been using the fundamental advantages of traction kites for three decades.
As they state at their website, their goal is to bring this technology to the world.

KiteShip holds multiple world records and patents for their products and accomplishments.

"Let's go fly a kite
Up to the highest height
Let's go fly a kite
And send it soaring

Up through the atmosphere
Up where the air is clear
Oh, let's go fly a kite!"

- song from Mary Poppins.

Original article (Dec 17, 2002):
http://www.sailinganarchy.com/rumors/acdope_archive.htm#kite

Kite Sailing Kitano Yacht

It is a known fact among meteorologists that constant and stronger wind speeds are to be found at higher altitudes.

The Kite Sailing Kitano Yacht prototype designed by Stefanie Krücke takes advantage of that little known fact to down-to-sea sailors and introduces kite sailing technology to the leisure sailing yacht class.

Compared to a normal sail the kite has less surface area, but due to higher forces it is still capable of generating enough force so that even a gentle breeze lifts the hull to a planing speed.

The Kite Sailing Kitano Yacht is equipped with a retractable hydraulically operated centerboard, that makes possible to sail in shallow water and littorals without risk.

The Yacht itself could comfortably carry and house up to 8 passengers with the latest in luxury any seaman can dream of.

More Info:
Yanko Design

SkySails

SkySails, a German company from Hamburg, is developing wind propulsion systems for cargo ships and superyachts.


The SkySails system consists basically of a fully automated towing kite propulsion connected to the ship via a towing rope.

The planned product range contains towing kite propulsion systems with a nominal propulsion power of up to 5,000 kW (about 6,800 HP).
Most large ships can be easily fitted with the SkySails.

It is used meant to be used offshore, if the wind conditions allow, in addition to the propulsion of the ship’s engine, making it more profitable, safer and independent.
The SkySails system actually improves the ship's behavior at sea significantly.

On annual average fuel costs can be lowered between 10-35% depending on actual wind conditions and actual time deployed. Under optimal wind conditions, fuel consumptions can temporarily be reduced up to 50%.

During tests made on a 800-ton testing ship, it was calculated that fuel savings of up to 1200 liters per day can be made on ships of this size by using only an 80-square-meter towing kite. “Correspondingly, and based on the latest testing results, towing kites with double the surface area can save up to 2400 liters of fuel a day,” as reported by SkySails managing director Stephan Wrage.

Humphreys Yacht Design, together with SkySails, did exhibit the concept for a high-performance hybrid super yacht at this year’s Monaco Yacht Show.
Powered by SkySails, a 40-meter trimaran can reach speeds of up to 18 knots without the help of its main engine, and up to 30 knots with the main engine.
Additionally, with SkySails a shaft-driven generator can be activated, which charges batteries that can supply the main diesel-electric propulsion as needed.
Yacht owners can now sail in a way that is ecologically responsible, without having to sacrifice the comfort they’ve come to enjoy.
And, this type of propulsion provides owners a high degree of security and independence in times of crisis.

The SkySails-System is to be installed on the heavy-lift multi purpose carrier MV "Beluga SkySails".
This 140m long cargo vessel belongs to the Beluga Group, a shipping company in Bremen, and is taking up regular operation in international shipping in early 2008.

More Info:
SkySails