"Wave" propulsion

[Birdface]

Check this new drive system out!

Wave Runner | Popular Science

"Suntory Mermaid II, a three-ton catamaran made of recycled aluminum alloy that turns wave energy into thrust. Two fins mounted side by side beneath the bow move up and down with the incoming waves and generate dolphin-like kicks that propel the boat forward. “Waves are a negative factor for a ship—they slow it down,” says Yutaka Terao, an engineering professor at Tokai University in Japan who designed the boat’s propulsion system. “But the Suntory can transform wave energy into propulsive power regardless of where the wave comes from.”"

[Jeff_H]

Thats all well and good as long as there are waves with a wave length shorter than the length of the boat.

Jeff

[brak]

I read this on slashdot today. I still don't get how it works - so the thing goes up and down. Then what? Why is that creating a forward thrust?

[chucklesR]

Springs and levers convert the up and down into side to side motion, which propels the boat.
Jeff's comments on wave length aside, why has someone with NA or PHd after their name not converted a simple float and bar hanging over the side - the bar could have a plunger to serve as a pump, and then use hydraulic pressure via a hose to pump a watermaker, generator etc?
Because wave power is essentially a derivative of solar and wind power, and as a derivative it is therefore less efficient than the source?

[brak]

i didn't see any "side to side" components in there. perhaps the pivoting motion of those blades/fins - or some such.

in any case, wave motion has high entropy, thats all.

[chucklesR]

Fins on the front, with springs and levers tied to the horizontal flappers..those fins move side to side (dolphin tail style). I guess. Or it's the other way around.

[sailingdog]

Umm... this was posted previously, a day or two ago, and the boat is exceptionally UGLY... if ecologically sound.

[Birdface]

Sorry Dog, didn't see it.

Yes, the boat is ugly.

[sailingdog]

Actually, I think there are three threads on this truly ugly, if innovative boat.

[thesnort]

While on the topic of innovative and odd, does anyone recall a boat that uses a solid wing that is set like a kite high above the cabin, which is balanced by a hydrofoil a la catamaran-style?
I saw a video of a model and it just tore across the water. I wish I could remember where I saw that.