earth race

Originally posted by FireballNeil We all need energy efficient lightbulbs but its fine to go charging off round the planet in a dirty great powerboat! Imagine how much more fun you could have sailing it!

They will probably claim it is carbon neutral because is uses bio-diesel....Still as has already been pointed out Ellen was only marginally slower without a dirty great marine engine in sight...

However do remember that sails cannot be that environmentally friendly to make given the materials that are used these days (same with hulls). However once built we don't pollute....

Paul

Originally posted by 49erGBR735HSC The amazing thing about this whole powered circum-navigation thing is that after all the power and effort they throw into these powerboats, Ellen was only a margin behind the current record holder Cable and Wireless. Can't remember off the top of my head but think it was only a day or two difference. Carbon props help greatly with manouverability and there is the advantage of if you hit something you only write off the prop instead of the gearbox and possibly the engine. Plymouth Uni have done a fair bit of work with Composite props and they do have lots of advantages. Comercial and Naval Vessels are increasingly starting to realise the gains at the moment.

i stand corrected