Directly down wind, faster than the wind

[Chilidog]

OK, this is a sort of applicable here.

It's a craft. (ok, it's a cart)

It's powered by wind alone,

It's towed on a trailer when not "sailing."

It's way cool.

http://www.fasterthanthewind.org/

 

[kpgraci]

I guess you missed it...

http://forums.sbo.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?t=121297

 

[Ray Bowles]

Is the craft powered by the wheels where the wind turns the prop and this energy is put through a transmission that turns the wheels? Or, is the craft solely powered by the prop?
If the craft is powered by the prop then what would it be capable of if mounted on a iceboat?
Ray

 

[Chilidog]

Is the craft powered by the wheels where the wind turns the prop and this energy is put through a transmission that turns the wheels? Or, is the craft solely powered by the prop?
If the craft is powered by the prop then what would it be capable of if mounted on a iceboat?
Ray

The wheels turn the prop, so it wouldn't work on an ice boat.

 

[Chilidog]

http://forums.sbo.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?t=121297

You are right, I missed that.

Oh, well.

how about an airplane on a conveyor belt?

 

[Deucer]

I just want somebody to explain the physics of it...

 

[Deucer]

Aw...I think I get it. Do you suspect that the angle of the blades are offset enough to create the lift?

 

[Todd Smith]

Deucer,

Think propeller theory, not sails.

The thrust from the propeller is enough to counter the drag from the body and the wheels. The power from the wheels is enough to turn the propeller.

The propeller blades would be designed just like an airplane propeller. I don't think they have a variable pitch mechanism in place, so it's optimized for one speed only. They still get a pretty impressive speed out of it.