Towed vessels such as barges require directional stability, but conventional skegs, while offering stability, also increase the resistance and drag. Nautican Hydralift Skegs provide directional stability for the towed vessel without increasing total barge resistance therefore improving towing speed and saving fuel.
The key to this efficiency is the optimization of the skeg profile and the angle of attack to the water flow. The barge is stabilized by lateral lift, which counters the drift of the barge stern.
Hydralift Skegs are best suited for ocean-going barges that are towed long distances and in applications where increased speed will cut towing time and save fuel.