[jpatokal]

Look at the photo, it's hard to describe that as anything but a barrel: https://dynaimage.cdn.cnn.com/cnn/q_auto,w_634,c_fill,g_auto...

In particular, it lacks any conventional boat elements like a method of propulsion or steering.

He is clearly milking the label for all it's worth though, the GPS tracker ID was "diogene" (French for Diogenes of Greek philosopher living in a barrel fame) and his sponsors included several manufacturers of wine barrels (https://www.boutes.com/), who apparently also helped build the thing.

[inflatableDodo]

>the GPS tracker ID was "diogene" (French for Diogenes of Greek philosopher living in a barrel fame)

In that case I am slightly disappointed that the voyage was undertaken without the barrel also containing a pack of feral dogs. The resulting footage would be worth it if nothing else.

[d--b]

The plan shows this had a keel though.

[ddingus]

What does that do?

Maybe allow choice of current, like where it forks?

[jussij]

I suspect the keel attempts to stops the barrel from rolling on it's axis.

If it had a tendency to easily roll it would be like trying to live in a giant tumble dryer.

[11235813213455]

stabilization, to avoid getting upside down all the time, he could have used ballasts as well