Why are boats more efficient than airplanes?
They use less fossil fuels to move
The mass of the ship and cargo are supported by the displacement of water (Archimedes Principle) whereas an aircraft (unless a balloon) is supported by lift which requires power from the engines. Therefore you can move huge masses with a ship that you could never lift into the air. If you want to move huge volumes and masses of cargo but do not care about speed, use a ship. ( I build ships :) This apples particularly if you need a steady stream of dense material, such as iron ore.
By the way human passengers are, about the lowest density cargo you can imagine. They want huge amounts of space for their mass and are usually in a hurry. Therefore they are not ideal ship cargo and passenger ships have huge volumes above water for limited draft and displacement. Therefore they are pretty much expensive toys whereas an iron ore ship or oil tanker is essential for its job.
The greater fuel efficiency of boats compared to airplanes can be attributed to several factors. Here's an explanation of why boats are generally more fuel-efficient than airplanes:
1. Mode of transportation: Boats operate in a denser medium, such as water, while airplanes move through the less dense medium of air. The greater density of water allows boats to streamline their hull shapes, reducing drag and increasing efficiency. In contrast, airplanes need to overcome air resistance and turbulence, which requires more energy.
2. Power source: Most boats rely on more fuel-efficient engines, such as diesel engines, which provide better energy efficiency compared to the jet engines commonly used in airplanes. Diesel engines are known for their high thermal efficiency, enabling boats to achieve better fuel economy.
3. Speed: Boats generally travel at lower speeds compared to airplanes. Higher speeds necessitate more energy to overcome air resistance, limiting the fuel efficiency of airplanes that fly at faster speeds. Since boats can operate at slower speeds, they can optimize fuel consumption and achieve better efficiency.
4. Payload capacity: Boats often have larger cargo capacity than airplanes. By transporting more goods in a single trip, boats reduce the need for multiple trips or additional vehicles, making transportation more efficient overall.
It is essential to note that this explanation reflects the general comparison between boats and airplanes. Fuel efficiency can vary depending on the specific type of boat or airplane, their design, and the purpose they serve.