Engineless Sailing

[TerryGufshoz]

I lost my diesel engine last fall and as a replacement, we installed an electric motor. My wife and my sailing usually consists of motor-sailing through a channel for 30 min to an hour to get to open water. We found that we really didn't run the diesel long enough to keep it healthy. We keep a small Honda generator on board to recharge the house batteries, if necessary, but the propulsion batteries are usually kept at full charge from the propeller generating any lost juice while we sail.
We don't use the motor much, but I can't imagine backing into our slip without it.

 

[zeehag]

engines are a necessary evil--sailing on a lee shore--ye need it many times for safety.
slippage?? i like anchoring, when there is a decent anchorage.
tight places--nice to have an engine. places will get tighter and tighter as folks find sailing as fun.
try maneuvering a full keel baby in a tight places sans engine--doesnt work, especially once wind dies.
smaller boats--no sweat-- but the cruisers made for heavy weather do use engines occasionally to frequently.
is your own decision to have one or not to have one.

 

[BoatlessAfterKatrina]

All,

I'm curious to know what the general consencious is with regards to having an auxilary engine on a modern sailboat? Is it really a necessity, or a luxury? Can someone sail in the 21st century without it, or is it a crutch? I've read many a book that advocate either way, but I thought I would open this can of worms. There are many benefits/consequenses to both as well. I'm looking for all opinions and comments.

As a boy learning to sail on Lake Pontchartrain, we used a 22' open boat that had no motor and had to sail in and out of port. It is an excellent way to learn basics of boat handling, precise tacking and stopping etc...

One thing many forget is that warping can be a good way to get into and out of your slip. A well placed fender can provide a good pivot point. Strangely, I've noticed that many sailors are loath to have thier boat even so much as touch a piling when in fact it is often the safest way to proceed - especially in a heavy wind - by providing precise control over your vessel. (A lesson that has been hammered into my head from the beginning - control at ALL times)

But as some have stated already, there are many harbors that don't allow sailing within the confines, unless under extenuating circumstances.

That all said, when I was moving my newly purchased boat a few years back, we motored/motor-sailed along the ICWW from Lake Charles La. to New Orleans. This entailed a Mississippi River crossing. I'll never forget the last words from the Harvey Lock operator, "Island Dander (sic), this is Harvey Lock, you're free to proceed. Good luck." with a severe emphasis on "luck".

As the gates swung open the River was in full flood, it being May, and the first thing we saw was a HUGE, empty tanker riding high and hugging the cut bank, blocking our view of anything else. Upon exiting the lock, we hove to until the tanker's wake subsided and then we proceeded to enter the River.

As a boy in New Orleans I spent many afternoons on the levee watching the River, and now I remembered all of the logs I'd seen floating down river just beneath the surface - sometimes showing a single branch sticking up. It was my intention to get my RPMs up as quickly as possible in order to bring my speed at least up to the 5-6 kt race of the river. The last thing I wanted was to have my steerage taken out from behind by a tree. We made the crossing succesfully, like a game of Frogger, dodging ferries and frieght, and continued downstream to the Industrial Canal Lock, and thence up to Lake Pontchartrain.

Was I sure glad to have had that little 15 HP Yanmar pushing my 6-ton vessel that day. The Island Dancer achieved the incredible speed of 12 kts as we motored at full steam down River.

 

[bechelt]

When in dire staights it may sometimes be more prudent to sail away from the destination and wait for better weather to attempt a passage across a treacherous shoal.

Couldn't have stated it better. I think that trusting the engine too much may put a skipper in danger by attempting a narrow passage to get out of the weather and wreck. Where heading back to sea may be the correct choice. Or where the tide is strong, waiting may be the better choice b/c braving under motor may be more risky. Engine or not, we must be smart b/c in the end survival is most important.

 

[awoody]

Just lost my outboard in a lake, so am having the same question. Last year I had it tuned up at a cost of $300 and used a total of 3 gallons of gas all season. I just paid divers to retrieve it and will now have the expense of saving it. I do sail in and out of moorings, but think of the motor as insurance.

 

[Ross]

Nancy and I will not take the boat out of the slip with the sails covered. Engines aren't reliable enough to depend on them exclusively. Imagine motoring along a lee shore with your sails covered and having your engine die.

 

[BoatlessAfterKatrina]

when you loose a crewmember overboard in winter's 40 degree water, time is critical. Relying only on your sailing ability in this emergency is a risky proposition. I would suggest you need an engine.

I recommend more practice here. When under sail it is often faster to come about and heave to than dropping sails and cranking up the motor.

We often conduct man over board drills (day and night) by simply throwing a cushion over, making the call, deploying the life ring and coming about. It adds a little excitement to an otherwise lazy day. Keeps everyone on their toes, and also works to ease nerves of the less experienced on board when they see how quickly someone can be recovered.

 

[BLUE MAX]

Necessity............

All,

I'm curious to know what the general consencious is with regards to having an auxilary engine on a modern sailboat? Is it really a necessity, or a luxury? Can someone sail in the 21st century without it, or is it a crutch? I've read many a book that advocate either way, but I thought I would open this can of worms. There are many benefits/consequenses to both as well. I'm looking for all opinions and comments.

I sail in NYC Harbour so when the Wind stops and the 7 Kt current is against me, the 50 HP Honda makes my day when I can return to my safe harbour Marina in tact!!

 

[cygnussailor]

harbors are very crowded today and I believe that it is prudent to have an engine.

Besides being prudent, many, if not most harbors require that your sails are down and that you are motoring before entering the harbor. Also, I would not want to be tacking up the Muskegon channel while a 1000+ foot lake freighter is taking up 2/3 of the channel. In the modern world an engine is, in my opinion, necessary on anything bigger than wet sailors.

 

[hogitz]

draw bridges here "South Florida" dont allow sails to be up. I prefer sailing but if the boat speed drops below 3 knots and im going somewhere its time to fire up the noisy smelly fuel consumming beast

 

[kpgraci]

Unless you want the added challenge for sport or in the interest of sailing purity, engines are an immensely practical addition to any boat larger than a kayak. That doesn't mean you have to use it, but if the ancient mariners had access to the technology they would have.

 

[sailndayz]

Some harbors and marinas require coming in under power

I'd been warned that our harbor/marina required being under power if inside the breakwater. So after my first day of a beautiful sail out of this harbor/marina, sailing, when coming in there was no way that i could get the engine started. So I decided to come in under only the Jib. Half-way in I had the Harbor Master pulling up next to me yelling about being under sail and threatening to take me under tow. I explained that my engine wouldn't start. While having a delaying conversation with the Harbor Master, I slowly continued toward the docks, until it finally it became apparent that taking me under tow would be nonsensical, he permitted me to finish docking. Keep the engine and keep it in good running condition!

 

[Gunni]

Mr. Don Street, the Dean of Atlantic cruising sailed his yawl Iolaire for 1/2 a century without an engine. If you have navigated the Windwards you likely did so with charts Mr. Street drafted using lead line and no engine. A dozen or so transatlantic crossings, hundreds of thousands of miles, tight channels - he did it all without engine. A few years ago he installed an electric hybrid drive with feathering prop to make life easier. But for decades Don proved an accomplished sailor can certainly live without the iron genny.

One thing not mentioned in this thread is the value of an inflatable with outboard. A 10 horse outboard-driven dinghy tied off to the stern quarter of a keel boat can easily maneuver a +40 ft boat in an emergency.

 

[bechelt]

Unless you want the added challenge for sport or in the interest of sailing purity, engines are an immensely practical addition to any boat larger than a kayak. That doesn't mean you have to use it, but if the ancient mariners had access to the technology they would have.

Many may not know, but pure sail was still economically viable until 1949 (maybe even later). Look into the Australian grain run and the windjammers. Fossil fuel availability is dwindling, and would it be economic in the future to have hybrid shipping? Optimizing shipping courses to best utilize the winds, currents, and minimizing time and labor? Costs are only going to rise for everybody. Something to ponder. Engineless sailing may be the last viable option for the low to middle class to see the world. Can we handle it? Is it a challenge worth rising to?
T.

 

[jimgreen8c]

Engineless Sailing is less prudent seamanship

Prudent means careful. I've had plenty of small 22 footers or smaller and sailed them without engines. If worse came to worse you could skull these with the rudder or even row them with a daggarboard. The point is, you have options for safety. If your becalmed and the current is taking you into the breakwater, or a sandbar, or you can't beat your way into or out of a harbor in an opposing current without becoming a hazard to other vessels, is anybody gonna think you're prudent or stupid? Keeping up your sailing skills and not needing a motor or a radio or Seatow is alot different than needing them and not having them. As a former Coast Guardsman, I've found that when you put your vessel at risk, in a populated area, most times you put others at risk, whether it's a good samaritan trying to push you off the rocks, or a big commercial vessel restricted by size and draft who has to alter course for an ill prepared recreational boater, or a 8 year old sabot sailor who has to deal with the wake of an emergency vessel who has to roar out of the harbor to keep you off the rocks. Being unprepared for emergencies like a broken rudder or fog and dead calm weather, or any medical emergency is not sailorly or skillful, it's stupid which is the opposite of prudent.

Where is the line that distinguishes a small boat from a large boat? And for others, I am talking about owning a boat without and engine onboard. Don't get me wrong my boat has one, but I am still curious. It is great to hear of sailors sailing without them, but still have them aboard. Can not having an engine encourage more prudent seamanship? Costs vs. benefits of not having one, and opinions with regards to safety as well? Men to your battle stations, give me everything. Throw the book at me, I do not mind.

T.

 

[bechelt]

Prudent means careful. I've had plenty of small 22 footers or smaller and sailed them without engines. If worse came to worse you could skull these with the rudder or even row them with a daggarboard. The point is, you have options for safety. If your becalmed and the current is taking you into the breakwater, or a sandbar, or you can't beat your way into or out of a harbor in an opposing current without becoming a hazard to other vessels, is anybody gonna think you're prudent or stupid? Keeping up your sailing skills and not needing a motor or a radio or Seatow is alot different than needing them and not having them. As a former Coast Guardsman, I've found that when you put your vessel at risk, in a populated area, most times you put others at risk, whether it's a good samaritan trying to push you off the rocks, or a big commercial vessel restricted by size and draft who has to alter course for an ill prepared recreational boater, or a 8 year old sabot sailor who has to deal with the wake of an emergency vessel who has to roar out of the harbor to keep you off the rocks. Being unprepared for emergencies like a broken rudder or fog and dead calm weather, or any medical emergency is not sailorly or skillful, it's stupid which is the opposite of prudent.

I think that prudent seamenship is being better in tune with your surroundings, wind, tide, traffic, and weather. Action instead of reaction. How can we better prepare ourselves for the worst? Having a plan 'B' or even plan 'C', even if you have an engine. Does a sailor have the skills necessary to forsee and avoid dangerous situations, engine or no engine? We (as in sailors) are a different breed; we are challenge seeking.

 

[Benny17441]

Most boats on the market wether new or used come with an engine. It is everyones choice to crank that engine up or sail without it. Don't understand those that advocate removing the engine. With no alternator they might as well remove the electrical system and resort to oil lamps and signal flags. I know I can sail into our dock because I have done it, what's next?

 

[LaColla]

Often, during weekdays when there is little traffic in our marina, and more importantly, less chance of someone observing a potential screw up on my part, I will sail from/ into my slip for practice and fun. For insurance, however, I will start the engine and leave it in neutral, ready to go if my sailing prowess is not up tot the task.

 

[ancientmariner]

Going back to the Pardeys, they chose to be engineless for cost, space, and independence reasons. They also accepted that they would not have any electricity on board, except batteries for their portable weather radio. But they were mostly concerned with crossing oceans and anchoring for often months at a time, with virtually no time-driven pressure. There was one story about trying to scull through an opened railway bridge against a rising current, with a train approaching. And they did borrow an outboard motor for occasions such as transiting the Panama Canal.

Locally, Allen and Sharie Farrell built and lived aboard several wooden engineless boats, sailing around the Gulf Islands and through narrow passes, which must have called for amazingly fine skills and knowledge. After his wife died, I saw Allen, then in his 80s, I believe, pull up the anchor of China Cloud (a heavily built junk rig close to 40' long) and sail away.

But these seafaring icons are a rarity, and most of us would prefer to have secondary propulsion for emergencies and convenience. As long as we remember what "auxiliary" means!

 

[bffatcat]

Depends where you sail out of Ive got one but dont use it much Its not a necessity for me