Airplanes deploy revers thrusters when landing which are basically just shaped metal shields that move into place behind the engines to provide reverse thrust and slow the plane.

But adding a fan on a sailboat is seen as stupid and doesn't work.

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[–] -3 points 1 week ago (1 child)

Yeah, so inefficient as to be completely ineffective. In other words, "it doesn't work".

  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 1 child comment
  • [–] 6 points 1 week ago*

    No, it's not completely ineffective, just very ineffective.

    If you blow enough air at a sufficient sturdy sail you can absolutely generate trust from the airflow the sail deflects.

    But you'll be more efficient if you remove the sail and just point the fan in the other direction.

    You'd be even more efficient if you put the fan under the boat and push the water instead of the air.

  • source
  • parent