MORE ON THIS DUBIOUS IDEA: Giant Kite Will Pull a Ship Across the Ocean Next Month. So if I recall correctly, 100 square feet of sail will generate about 1 horsepower equivalent in a 15 mph breeze. With a kite area of 5,380 square feet, that’s about 53 horsepower, which is what 1960s vintage VW Beetles had. How much acceleration will that impart to a ship 505 feet long? They don’t give its weight, but it’s a lot heavier than the Beetles, which didn’t move very fast . . .