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What makes swordfish the fastest swimmers on Earth? It’s all about the lube!

Discussion in 'YachtForums Yacht Club' started by brian eiland, Aug 22, 2016.

  1. brian eiland, Aug 22, 2016
    #1
    brian eiland

    brian eiland Senior Member

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  2. Capt J, Aug 22, 2016
    #2
    Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    Wahoo are the fastest swimming fish, not Swordfish. Swordfish actually have a very 80 grit sandpaper like feeling skin.
  3. PacBlue, Aug 22, 2016
    #3
    PacBlue

    PacBlue Senior Member

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    The large ships - container ships, car carriers, etc. have been looking into this for years. They have used a mixture of air injection and water dispersing lubricants to help reduce hull friction and increase fuel efficiency.

    http://rd.springer.com/article/10.1007/s007730070009?no-access=true

    I am not too crazy about the idea of all these large commercial ships spewing water dispersing lubricants, whatever they may be, continually into the ocean environment.
  4. brian eiland, Aug 22, 2016
    #4
    brian eiland

    brian eiland Senior Member

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    I don't think that particular study you sited indicated the dispersion of a lubricant into the water?

    And yes I would not be an advocate of that practice.

    Didn't that super fast torpedo the Russians developed simply crate a big 'air pocket' out in front of itself ? Can't remember now....this age think you know....ha...ha

    ...from Wikipedia (to the rescue)
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VA-111_Shkval
  5. PacBlue, Aug 23, 2016
    #5
    PacBlue

    PacBlue Senior Member

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    The Air-Injection method seems to be a current large topic for big ships.

    There have also been various Polymers injected in the bow region to reduce drag as well. Here is a reference, although I have not read it:

    http://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/BFb0032288

    The Polymers are said to be water soluble, but I would like to see additional data on long term ocean effects.