Original Message ---- From: Randal Johnson My get home power is a sail. I too have conventional sails as a "get someplace" alternative. Is that the perfect solution? Not by a longshot. Right now, I am exploring the possibility of a para-wing kite as a more controllable system. My neighbor is an avid kite boarder and I am learning the nuances of kiting. ___________________________________________________________ You might have a look thru some of this subject matter: New Age Trawler/Motorsailer; Kite-assisted PowerYacht <http://www.boatdesign.net/forums/boat-design/new-age-trawler-motorsailer-kit e-assisted-poweryacht-20319.html> ___________________________________________________________ ...not only kite power, but 'wing engine' considerations also... "The power would be a single main engine sized to develop the vesselbs desired top speed, and it could transmit this power by conventional shaft/prop arrangement, or with a azimuthing Volvo IPS dual prop unit, or via a retractable azimuthing Rim-Drive prop unit as I included on my latest dynarig motorsailer design. 1) Volvo IPS : 2) Rim Drive : Supplementing this single main engine would be a single DC diesel/electric power unit to provide for: 1) Ships electrical requirements 2) Slow speed operation by electric (wing) motor belted to main prop shaft 3) Maneuvering thrusters as required depending upon azimuth capabilities of main prop. The entire ship would be powered by only two engines, basically sized to provide: 1) Full main diesel power, unimpeded by interceding diesel/electric conversion 2) Slow speed operation and shipbs systems via the smaller diesel/electric unit 3) bTwin powerb emergency backup as either engine can run all gear This configuration more ideally meets the latest thinking for the new diesel/electric DC technologies onboard smaller vessels. Alternatively, two identical diesel/electric plants might be sized such that in combination they would supply the max power required of the vessel, and half power for lesser times."