How often (or do you) give the wind a little boost with your engine? Frequently? Seldom? Would you sooner own a Bayliner than consider it? What kind of conditions prompt you to fire up the engine with the sails up? And do you have any tips or tricks for making sure you get full power with no harmful side effects?
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almost always
I almost always have my main up while motoring. Only exception is in confined spaces (canals etc). I find ride is smoother and even if dead into wind, Ill set traveler to weather to get some power from the main. If the wind is very high, Ill use 110 jib instead of main, I can use the autopilot easily with this combo and it sometimes is a most enjoyable experience. Yes I would consider a Bayliner, used, at good price. I have no prejudices against the name. I accept a boat on its condition only. Good luck red
I almost always have my main up while motoring. Only exception is in confined spaces (canals etc). I find ride is smoother and even if dead into wind, Ill set traveler to weather to get some power from the main. If the wind is very high, Ill use 110 jib instead of main, I can use the autopilot easily with this combo and it sometimes is a most enjoyable experience. Yes I would consider a Bayliner, used, at good price. I have no prejudices against the name. I accept a boat on its condition only. Good luck red
Occassionally
When the wind is light (seldom in South Dakota) and as we are tired of drifting the motor goes on. Bayline, not at these gas prices <grin>. So what are the harmful side effects ??
When the wind is light (seldom in South Dakota) and as we are tired of drifting the motor goes on. Bayline, not at these gas prices <grin>. So what are the harmful side effects ??
motor sailing
When sailing nowhere I seldom run the motor. However,when cruising to a destination I motor/sail if sailing alone provides 4knots or less.When cruising I feel I have to go at least 5 to 6+ knots.
When sailing nowhere I seldom run the motor. However,when cruising to a destination I motor/sail if sailing alone provides 4knots or less.When cruising I feel I have to go at least 5 to 6+ knots.
If I'm to scared to sail it in....
I've been working on my sail/in-sail-out discipline for a while how. I don’t use the motor unless the winds are just to contrary but even given that, total distance is maybe 300 yards (just easing out/in past the breakwater). I’ve found that if I rock the boat side to side she sculls pretty well. I called the marina this year to have my little outboard serviced. They called back to ask if I had ever actually run the little thing. It wasn't even dusty. They reinstalled the motor and didn't charge me a thing. Oh, the motor by the way, is 12 years old. Greg H23 Faster-
I've been working on my sail/in-sail-out discipline for a while how. I don’t use the motor unless the winds are just to contrary but even given that, total distance is maybe 300 yards (just easing out/in past the breakwater). I’ve found that if I rock the boat side to side she sculls pretty well. I called the marina this year to have my little outboard serviced. They called back to ask if I had ever actually run the little thing. It wasn't even dusty. They reinstalled the motor and didn't charge me a thing. Oh, the motor by the way, is 12 years old. Greg H23 Faster-
When boat speed drops below...
4 knots the engine goes on, or if when the wind is blowing from the wrong direction (which is usually the case)when I've got to get some place.
4 knots the engine goes on, or if when the wind is blowing from the wrong direction (which is usually the case)when I've got to get some place.
Regularly
I regularly take hour long engine only cruises at my local lake. The only way to keep these little Yanmar's humming is to use them. I don't motor sail often because I worry about too much heel angle making the oil pump suck air while the diesel is churning.
I regularly take hour long engine only cruises at my local lake. The only way to keep these little Yanmar's humming is to use them. I don't motor sail often because I worry about too much heel angle making the oil pump suck air while the diesel is churning.
When my better judgment kicks in ...
When I'm completely under sail, I like to keep it that way unless I need a little boost to counter a strong current or unfavorable wind. I sail a lot in the ICW and Cape Fear River, so I use the motor to keep me from getting into trouble.
When I'm completely under sail, I like to keep it that way unless I need a little boost to counter a strong current or unfavorable wind. I sail a lot in the ICW and Cape Fear River, so I use the motor to keep me from getting into trouble.
A funny/sad story
2 months ago while we were cruising in the Sea of Cortez... We were headed South in a 15-20 knot northerly from Evaristo to Isla Partida. Perfect sailing wing on wing, 85 degrees. As we pass Isla San Francisco we sail by a 33' aluminum sailboat motoring with no sails up into the wind and chop. I don't give it a second thought except to notice the huge name on the side of the boat 'Forte' in 3 foot letters. 30 minutes later we are still having a ball, windvane steering, as we watch the knotmeter hit 9.5 during surfs. I here a VHF conversation. A vessel in distress call. Bob Mehaffey (of Carolyn & Bob, frequent contributors to most sailing mags lately) responds. He has just passed us going north also. The vessel identifies itself as Forte and indicates there motor has died and they are drifting. Bob spends some time trying identify their location. They give conflicting information and he begins to give up deciding he is too far away to help. At this point I step in and tell Bob we just passed Forte 30 minutes ago and they should be just North of Isla SF (where Bob is headed). Forte calls again in a very panicky voice indicating they are still drifting and don't know what to do. Bob asks "Are you a sailboat?" They respond yes. He says, "We suggest you put up some sail." They respond in a very shaky voice. "Okay we'll put up a little jib, but could you tow us?" How these people got from California to the Sea of Cortez I have no idea, but it does illustrate that some people quite simply SHOULD HAVE BOUGHT A POWERBOAT. They had no inclination, interest, or ability to sail. Why they (and others like them) insist on buying the worst powerboat in the world (a sailboat) I have no idea.
2 months ago while we were cruising in the Sea of Cortez... We were headed South in a 15-20 knot northerly from Evaristo to Isla Partida. Perfect sailing wing on wing, 85 degrees. As we pass Isla San Francisco we sail by a 33' aluminum sailboat motoring with no sails up into the wind and chop. I don't give it a second thought except to notice the huge name on the side of the boat 'Forte' in 3 foot letters. 30 minutes later we are still having a ball, windvane steering, as we watch the knotmeter hit 9.5 during surfs. I here a VHF conversation. A vessel in distress call. Bob Mehaffey (of Carolyn & Bob, frequent contributors to most sailing mags lately) responds. He has just passed us going north also. The vessel identifies itself as Forte and indicates there motor has died and they are drifting. Bob spends some time trying identify their location. They give conflicting information and he begins to give up deciding he is too far away to help. At this point I step in and tell Bob we just passed Forte 30 minutes ago and they should be just North of Isla SF (where Bob is headed). Forte calls again in a very panicky voice indicating they are still drifting and don't know what to do. Bob asks "Are you a sailboat?" They respond yes. He says, "We suggest you put up some sail." They respond in a very shaky voice. "Okay we'll put up a little jib, but could you tow us?" How these people got from California to the Sea of Cortez I have no idea, but it does illustrate that some people quite simply SHOULD HAVE BOUGHT A POWERBOAT. They had no inclination, interest, or ability to sail. Why they (and others like them) insist on buying the worst powerboat in the world (a sailboat) I have no idea.
Fun Factor
If I'm just out daysailing around the bay I won't motorsail but if I'm trying to make a destination and the knotmeter drops below 5 knots then the "iron genny" is set.
If I'm just out daysailing around the bay I won't motorsail but if I'm trying to make a destination and the knotmeter drops below 5 knots then the "iron genny" is set.
only when pulling skiers
Buoyant was on the hard last week, her first haulout, so we gave her an autoprop to appease the indignity. wrong move. The autoprop blades hit the strut when reversed, so we sent it back and bought a quick and dirty three-blade fixed prop, which damn near gets our 410 up on a plane. ..... Living in Redwood City, we have a three-hour sail to get up to the central bay, which we often take in the morning because of favorable tides. If the wind gods are still not awake, we won't hesitate to use the engine because it means getting to the good sailing so much sooner. We're logging a couple thousand miles every year on this boat, but we also put a couple hundred hours on the engine annually. The important thing, it seems to me, is getting the boat out of the dock....... BTW, Justin, I was in San Evaristo a few months ago crewing for some friends. I too was amazed by the number of unskilled cruisers in the La Paz area. A lot of those folks get down there with the aid of qualified crew, and then find themselves stuck in the cruisers vortex of La Paz because they haven't got the ability to play with their toys alone. In this present economy, lots of folk can afford waterlines that exceed their sailing abilities. There's a fellow who just joined my yacht club who recently purchased a Swan 56 for his first boat. It's going to take nine months to build/deliver the thing, so he figures there's plenty of time to take sailing lessons. Makes me glad to have grown up in a family where you had to sail the El Torro in a couple summers' worth of regattas before you were considered experienced enough to move up to the Snipe.
Buoyant was on the hard last week, her first haulout, so we gave her an autoprop to appease the indignity. wrong move. The autoprop blades hit the strut when reversed, so we sent it back and bought a quick and dirty three-blade fixed prop, which damn near gets our 410 up on a plane. ..... Living in Redwood City, we have a three-hour sail to get up to the central bay, which we often take in the morning because of favorable tides. If the wind gods are still not awake, we won't hesitate to use the engine because it means getting to the good sailing so much sooner. We're logging a couple thousand miles every year on this boat, but we also put a couple hundred hours on the engine annually. The important thing, it seems to me, is getting the boat out of the dock....... BTW, Justin, I was in San Evaristo a few months ago crewing for some friends. I too was amazed by the number of unskilled cruisers in the La Paz area. A lot of those folks get down there with the aid of qualified crew, and then find themselves stuck in the cruisers vortex of La Paz because they haven't got the ability to play with their toys alone. In this present economy, lots of folk can afford waterlines that exceed their sailing abilities. There's a fellow who just joined my yacht club who recently purchased a Swan 56 for his first boat. It's going to take nine months to build/deliver the thing, so he figures there's plenty of time to take sailing lessons. Makes me glad to have grown up in a family where you had to sail the El Torro in a couple summers' worth of regattas before you were considered experienced enough to move up to the Snipe.
Boat speed versus time
Wind is a variable of nature with no warrantees except that it will blow (usually on the nose) at some time. When the speed meter readout dips below 1kt and the water surface trakes on a glossy look, it is time to join the fleet via on board power. At boat speeds above 3kts there is little need for an assist unless the time to depart for home is close at hand.
Wind is a variable of nature with no warrantees except that it will blow (usually on the nose) at some time. When the speed meter readout dips below 1kt and the water surface trakes on a glossy look, it is time to join the fleet via on board power. At boat speeds above 3kts there is little need for an assist unless the time to depart for home is close at hand.
Daysailing vs Passagemaking
If the objective is "getting there," then I use the Yanmar to reach the objective when sail won't do. No special immediate speed rule, just VMG. I motorsail with the main if it will provide stability or lift; otherwise, I furl to preserve its life. UV and flogging are not conducive to long life. I remember Bayliner fondly - it (24') was our first boat and it saw service in the big lakes of northern Idaho, Puget Sound, Florida Gulf Coast, Kentucky Lake, waters off Cape Cod. NEVERMORE (H380)
If the objective is "getting there," then I use the Yanmar to reach the objective when sail won't do. No special immediate speed rule, just VMG. I motorsail with the main if it will provide stability or lift; otherwise, I furl to preserve its life. UV and flogging are not conducive to long life. I remember Bayliner fondly - it (24') was our first boat and it saw service in the big lakes of northern Idaho, Puget Sound, Florida Gulf Coast, Kentucky Lake, waters off Cape Cod. NEVERMORE (H380)
Under 4 knots for Passagemaking
Like the other comments - when passagemaking, below 4 knots is the threshold for me.
Like the other comments - when passagemaking, below 4 knots is the threshold for me.
That's Why I Have A Motor
Its OK to use whatever you need to move the boat from A to B efficiently and safely, whether it be more sail, less sail or the iron horse. Of course, I'd always prefer to use sail and save the life of a hydrocarbon but its nice to know there's a booster on board if needed. Dick Vance H-25.5 "Honey Bear"
Its OK to use whatever you need to move the boat from A to B efficiently and safely, whether it be more sail, less sail or the iron horse. Of course, I'd always prefer to use sail and save the life of a hydrocarbon but its nice to know there's a booster on board if needed. Dick Vance H-25.5 "Honey Bear"
Final results
Final results for the Quick Quiz ending 7/3/2000: Do you motor sail? 69% In certain conditions (224) 14% Never (46) 13% Frequently (43)
Final results for the Quick Quiz ending 7/3/2000: Do you motor sail? 69% In certain conditions (224) 14% Never (46) 13% Frequently (43)
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