Sailing ships didn't need gas so why don't more people use this type of technology?

https://cdn.pixabay.com/photo/2016/08/14/18/27/sailing-boat-1593613_960_720.jpg
Dallas, Texas
July 16, 2018 11:54am CST
Did you ever wonder what the world would be like if we never discovered oil as a fuel source? Well that is a completely different thing, but in a small sense, the sailboats and sailing ships of days gone by, were completely dependent on the winds of nature to travel across the oceans from one continent or island to the next. Imagine if more sail boats were used as a recreational vehicle for fun rather than using gas guzzling motor boats? Would this cut down on our carbon footprint? Below is an article of relevance to this discussion from CNN online.
The 19th Century "Golden Age of Sail" is seeing a revival as modern day cargo ships turn to wind power -- in a bid for eco-friendly travel.
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6 responses
@banksim (5196)
16 Jul 18
It mainly depends upon the direction of the wind, for the recreational purpose it is good
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• Dallas, Texas
16 Jul 18
Yep. I have to wonder, what things would be like if only oil had never been used.
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@banksim (5196)
16 Jul 18
@lookatdesktop may be solar power or controlled nuclear power
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• Dallas, Texas
16 Jul 18
@banksim I think so. Nuclear power is available and is being made safer, not to be built where a Tsunami might or an earthquake or flood might damage things. Solar power is potentially better to use and some individuals are putting solar panels on their roof tops to get all their energy and sell back to the power company what they don't use. It's a win-win idea.
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@AKRao24 (27427)
• India
16 Jul 18
That is a good idea! I appreciate that, but then they have to face those doldrums the way they used to face in the past!
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@AKRao24 (27427)
• India
16 Jul 18
@lookatdesktop , That is very true, with the advent of gas and other power sources man converted these hand operated things into automated ones! Very true!
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@AKRao24 (27427)
• India
16 Jul 18
@lookatdesktop , We still have those mechanical mowers in India which are used by people!
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• Dallas, Texas
16 Jul 18
It's basically ironic that for just about every form of gas powered man made metal monstrocity there is an original mechanical non-gas powered original prototype that was used for centuries before this moment in our gas guzzling history.
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@snowy22315 (168455)
• United States
16 Jul 18
They also took like 3 months to cross the Atlantic, or longer.
@1hopefulman (45125)
• Canada
16 Jul 18
I would think that they are not fast are safe enough and that is why they were abandoned as a way to travel long distances.
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@1hopefulman (45125)
• Canada
17 Jul 18
@lookatdesktop We have to applaud their effort and if they find that it is sustainable then for sure they will use them.
• Dallas, Texas
16 Jul 18
I suppose, but from the standoint of current environmental issues facing everyone on the planet and the latest advances in technology, it seems we should in face, re-think this.
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@rebelann (110771)
• El Paso, Texas
16 Jul 18
Interesting concept. Now I wonder where I could get a sail boat to ummmm float around here? Mind you there are no bodies of water within at least 175 miles but we do get some strong winds.
@JohnRoberts (109865)
• Los Angeles, California
16 Jul 18
Following that train of thought, more fuel would be saved if people simply stopped flying planes.
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• Dallas, Texas
16 Jul 18
You just hit the proverbial nail on the head and hit it hard I might add. To motivate others to just stop flying for one week might reduce carbon emissions to lower the planet's mean temperature by a few degrees F. And I wonder if there is any use ordering stuff online and having it shipped to the house or office vs driving to get it yourself, if there would be any significant drop of energy consumption?
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• Dallas, Texas
16 Jul 18
@JohnRoberts I would tend to agree. I would fly in a Dassault Falcon if given the chance. But actually, to be serious on the subject, The commercial transports are using one plane to carry many passengers from point A to point B. Do you think America needs a new Passenger Train System to carry more people at one time to cut back on flying? Or would this only lead to more people moving from place to place and lead to just more energy consumption in a shorter period of time?
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@JohnRoberts (109865)
• Los Angeles, California
16 Jul 18
@lookatdesktop It's the private planes that are the worst waste. At least commercial transports many bodies.
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