2006-08-11 08:04:27 · 11 answers · asked by patrick b 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Boats & Boating
Nope...
For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.
The wind that the fan generated to blow the sail would be counteracted by the force of the fan pushing itself away.
Now, if you dropped the sail and pointed the fan the other way... then theoretically... yes... with a big enough fan.
However.. where would you get the electric? =)
2006-08-11 08:10:39 · answer #1 · answered by Doogie 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I read recently about a man who was buying a huge, ten thousand dollar, diesel powered fan to install on the deck of his sailboat to get more speed. It will work, but if speed is the main goal, why not get a speed boat instead of a sailboat.
2006-08-11 15:16:29 · answer #2 · answered by dlobryan1 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In the cartoons it works well, but in reality, it would take a large fan to do so- overcoming the drag and weight of the boat, not to mention the drag of the sail... I would think that it would be possiable but not practical, and it would be more efficent to power the boat by motor than by the fan...
2006-08-11 15:11:21 · answer #3 · answered by worxsigns 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Stick the fan in the water and you have a propeller. This is a much better idea.
2006-08-11 22:06:30 · answer #4 · answered by x 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Theoretically yes. But it would need to be a big fan to produce the same forces as wind. I'd suggest paddling instead.
2006-08-11 15:09:41 · answer #5 · answered by Shockey Monkey 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, that's like those swamp boats in Florida. You would need a big fan to get any real speed though.
2006-08-11 15:09:51 · answer #6 · answered by Silverglade00 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, a fan would help but it wouldnt be much. Have you considered putting a motor on the boat?
2006-08-11 15:11:47 · answer #7 · answered by ocsutton 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, That's why they put kickers on sail boats and not fans! This question got my attention, it was worth the thought.
2006-08-11 16:23:42 · answer #8 · answered by link 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
nope just coast down hill lol
2006-08-12 16:30:20 · answer #9 · answered by jyd9999 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You would need one huge *** fan!
2006-08-11 15:09:27 · answer #10 · answered by Smitty 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋