ABSTRACT
In terms of the third situation of motor vessel with auxiliary sails (i.e. wind-assisted propul sion), King (1985) argues that the best possibility is to be found 'at the top end of a vessel's speed range1. This does not, however, preclude fuel sa vings at lower speeds through improved stability or use of sail propulsion alone under favourable condi tions. As King points out, the extent to which wind power can be relied upon must depend upon the para meters of acceptable performance. A small inter island trading vessel is likely to have more flexi bility in this regard than a large modern bulk car rier for which the profit margin on a charter de pends critically on elapsed voyage time.
