Brainstorm: Sailing Without Wind |
 Dave Thurlow, Host |
Today on The Weather Notebook, a scientific puzzle to unravel about wind and sailboats, Hi I'm Dave Thurlow from the Mount Washington Observatory. As with any Brainstorm if we use your response this one on the air we will send you a magnificant magic weather mug. And if your not that lucky individual well no need to fret, all respondents receive an answer to the Brainstorm and a Weather Notebook poster.
Today's question has to do with sailing. OK? - you're on a sail boat, enjoying a gentle breeze from the sou'west - (just trying to sound a little nautical here) - and suddenly, the wind dies. The weather (remember this is a show about weather) has failed you. But wait!
On your boat, for some reason, you have a generator and an electric fan - a really big electric fan. Now, besides sticking the fan in the water and using it for a propeller, or rowing with it, is it possible to use this fan to generate some wind to get you around the Straits of Magellan or wherever it is your going - and back home. And, if it is possible, how exactly would you do it? So the question without all the hoopla is this: Can you use a fan to move a sailboat whilst on board?
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