Do you motor sail?

[CO Editorial]

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?

 

[D. Truman]

Motor-sailing (an oxymoron)

I motorsail only when I find that I have to transit a narrow area with limited maneuverability and potential traffic or adverse currents (bridge openings, very narrow channels with traffic). Once thru the situation, its back to the quiet. I've put the motor on for a few minutes to ensure safe passage away or around barges or such. And on very few occasions I'll use the sail to boost the go-power of the engire downwind on a light day where I have a destination I want to reach within a specific time. It's not often, but always opting for the prudent decision.

 

[John J]

motor sailing

Motors on sailboats are meant for two things. One, in and out of the slip, and two, there is no wind.

 

[Jeanine Jackson]

Under 4 Knots

When winds drop below 4 knots, we often power up... If downwind, we use just the jib (standard issue 120)and drop the main... Upwind with frequent tacks we will motorsail with just the main.

 

[Dave]

On occasion -

We use the motor to get in and out of port for the most part or in high traffic areas where the 'rules of the road' are ignored. We recently had a very strict schedule to keep and very little leeway in when we needed to be somewhere - in those situations there is no alternative. And occasionally in real light winds with a bored 'crew' anxious to get off.

 

[Steve Treppa]

Unfortunately...

I often have to motor-sail as my "guests" tend to not understand that the point of sailing is to relax!! People like the sail out but the way back seems to bore people...I also motor-sail when I need to cross a large distance in a small time for safety (i.e. storm brewing)...

 

[Bob Camarena]

Point A to Point B

We often motor sail or, I confess, motor, when the object is to go from point A to point B. From our berth in Stockton to SF Bay is about 80 mi, primarily to windward in river conditions. Motorsailing or motoring is the most practical way to get there so you can enjoy the unaided sailing in SF Bay.

 

[CO Editorial]

Final results

Final results for the Quick Quiz ending 7/3/2000:Do you motor sail?  70% In certain conditions (98) 15% Frequently (21)10% Never (15)