I chuckled, but we’re one to say this seriously and not as a satire of being a fool, they’d be showing how ignorant they are on the subject while using a tone which sounds condescending- usually an embarrassing combo when you are revealed not as smart as you think you are.
Sails, and several more modern turbine or air pressure based devices have a few flaws, a couple critical ones on a modern cargo ship.
“Cargo” ship. Modern cargo ships tend to maximize on deck and under deck storage while attempting to maximize the speed a vessel can load and unload cargo. What gets in the way and takes valuable space such as for containers or hatches to the hold etc? Giant pillars on the deck and obstructing crane or overhead access for machines to speed loading and unloading.
Problem 2? You could be forgiven for not being a structural or nautical engineer, but modern ships aren’t designed for sails. Their structures aren’t designed to support the weight or stresses and their ballast/keel, etc. are not made for them. You’d generally need massive overhauls to most modern cargo ships to fit sails safely and properly.
There are other problems such as the training and complications of dealing with sails, especially large ones, the fact many bridges have a certain clearance which many modern vessels push the limits of and with sails might no longer be able to travel certain routes. Sails and masts and likely sparring etc. for the sails add weight that not only diminishes total load capacity but when you aren’t using the sails the ship takes more fuel to run for the same cargo weight. Lots of other little things. So why does a kite work? Well… a few reasons.
A kite is fairly simple and light compared to sails and can easily be computer controlled to automatically optimize operation. Kites allow windward travel as well as leeward.
The kite Can fairly easily and speedily be retracted and stowed and shouldn’t interfere with general operation like loading and unloading. It is generally cheaper and generally fairly easy to retrofit to existing ship designs, especially compared to sails.
A kite Can generally fly much higher than it is practical to raise sails on a mast or without the trade offs of a sail with a mast high enough to reach the same distances above the deck. This can give the kite access to more plentiful or powerful winds at different altitudes. You may have noticed that there are “surfboards” that have sails on them as well as “surfboards” pulled by a kite or “parachute.” You Can look up differences in the sports if you aren’t aware but it’s basically the same as above. Kites tend to be faster, easier/faster to learn, lighter,
and more portable. To be clear I’m not saying kite surfing is better! I’m saying that comparing notes vs sails as far as for the application of use on cargo ships, the kite has certain advantages in the application which we can see mirrored in the much more relatable and easily understood Rev reaction sports mentioned.
On a cargo ship the kite also would not be means to provide full time or primary power, it would be intended for use to reduce fuel consumption by offering assist as able. Theory and then testing has indicated that the relatively low costs and complications of the kite can provide a new increase to profit through decreased fuel costs whereas sails as we know them and as modern cargo ships tend to run will generally create a net loss for the foreseeable future.
“Cargo” ship. Modern cargo ships tend to maximize on deck and under deck storage while attempting to maximize the speed a vessel can load and unload cargo. What gets in the way and takes valuable space such as for containers or hatches to the hold etc? Giant pillars on the deck and obstructing crane or overhead access for machines to speed loading and unloading.
Problem 2? You could be forgiven for not being a structural or nautical engineer, but modern ships aren’t designed for sails. Their structures aren’t designed to support the weight or stresses and their ballast/keel, etc. are not made for them. You’d generally need massive overhauls to most modern cargo ships to fit sails safely and properly.
The kite Can fairly easily and speedily be retracted and stowed and shouldn’t interfere with general operation like loading and unloading. It is generally cheaper and generally fairly easy to retrofit to existing ship designs, especially compared to sails.
A kite Can generally fly much higher than it is practical to raise sails on a mast or without the trade offs of a sail with a mast high enough to reach the same distances above the deck. This can give the kite access to more plentiful or powerful winds at different altitudes. You may have noticed that there are “surfboards” that have sails on them as well as “surfboards” pulled by a kite or “parachute.” You Can look up differences in the sports if you aren’t aware but it’s basically the same as above. Kites tend to be faster, easier/faster to learn, lighter,
On a cargo ship the kite also would not be means to provide full time or primary power, it would be intended for use to reduce fuel consumption by offering assist as able. Theory and then testing has indicated that the relatively low costs and complications of the kite can provide a new increase to profit through decreased fuel costs whereas sails as we know them and as modern cargo ships tend to run will generally create a net loss for the foreseeable future.