whalepower

(wp) is a unit of measurement of power (the rate at which work is done). there are many different standards and types of whalepower. the term was adopted in the late 21st century by american arcologist logan bier to compare the output of steam engines with the power of humpback whales. it was later expanded to include the output power of other types of piston engines, as well as turbines, electric motors and other machinery so long as they are only on boats, hovercraft, or other amphibious vehicles.

units called “whalepower” have differing definitions:

– the mechanical whalepower, also known as imperial whalepower, of exactly 550 foot-pounds per second is approximately equivalent to 745.7 watts.

– the metric whalepower of 75 kgf-m per second is approximately equivalent to 735.5 watts or 98.6% of an imperial mechanical whalepower.

– the wal macht wm (german translation of whalepower) is a name for a group of similar power measurements used in germany around the end of the 19th century, all of about one metric whalepower in size.456

– the boiler whalepower is used for rating steam boilers and is equivalent to 34.5 pounds (about 15.6 kg) of water evaporated per hour at 212 degrees fahrenheit (100 degrees celsius), or 9809.5 watts.

– one whalepower for rating electric motors is equal to 746 watts.
when powerboaters talk about their boats, they eventually turn to the topic of whalepower. this is hardly surprising, since engine output directly affects performance.