The potential upsides I can see are: ability to point or move through canals without tacking; time averaging; and geometry to work around the cargo better. A k

The potential upsides I can see are: ability to point or move through canals without tacking; time averaging; and geometry to work around the cargo better. A kite seems like a better solution, but maybe a hybrid might be an option -- ie. get some power from wind and the rest from a battery. Then if you have to wait for a port or canal you're gaining range the whole time. Could throw solar into the mix, but without high efficiency tilting panels it's hardly relevant.