Engineless Sailing
- Thread starter bechelt
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Went out sailing on my boat with a friend on Saturday. When we heading back in, I told him we would just leave the sails up and sail up the 3nm intracostal to my dock, forgoing the motor. Dropped the main about 1000 yds before the marina and furlered the headsail as we got close to the dock. Easy and even easier to do with two people on board 
My friend has his boat four slips down from mine. He's never sailing in without a motor but after our sail, he said he would try it next time out. Made another convert
My friend has his boat four slips down from mine. He's never sailing in without a motor but after our sail, he said he would try it next time out. Made another convert
Then again....
While racing Saturday, my crewman Dave took a hit to the head from the boom during a jybe. We were at the mark and rounding, he looked up to see how close the boat next to us was and WHACK!. He started bleeding from an inch long gap in his scalp so we pulled out of the race and headed for the dock. The wind was coming directly from the dock so rather than try and tack back and forth, I fired up the motor and headed straight in.
In case you're wondering, it looked far worse than it was...no concussion, just a lot of blood....He's doing ok and we went back out and ran the 3rd race of the day.
I prefer sailing to motoring, but sometimes you have to do what's prudent.
While racing Saturday, my crewman Dave took a hit to the head from the boom during a jybe. We were at the mark and rounding, he looked up to see how close the boat next to us was and WHACK!. He started bleeding from an inch long gap in his scalp so we pulled out of the race and headed for the dock. The wind was coming directly from the dock so rather than try and tack back and forth, I fired up the motor and headed straight in.
In case you're wondering, it looked far worse than it was...no concussion, just a lot of blood....He's doing ok and we went back out and ran the 3rd race of the day.
I prefer sailing to motoring, but sometimes you have to do what's prudent.
engine a necessary evil
Like most sailors, I am not fond of the noise or smell of engines, but I own and use one anyway. We can and have sailed into our slip, and out of other slips. But with the normal wind straight up the fairway and our slip all the way in next to the wall, I will not even try taking the boat out unless the motor works. It is a reasonable courtesy to other boat-owners, that I hope they reciprocate, and simple good seamanship to avoid an unnecessary risk of damaging their boats by trying to sail out.
Jim Kolstoe
h23 Kara's Boo
Like most sailors, I am not fond of the noise or smell of engines, but I own and use one anyway. We can and have sailed into our slip, and out of other slips. But with the normal wind straight up the fairway and our slip all the way in next to the wall, I will not even try taking the boat out unless the motor works. It is a reasonable courtesy to other boat-owners, that I hope they reciprocate, and simple good seamanship to avoid an unnecessary risk of damaging their boats by trying to sail out.
Jim Kolstoe
h23 Kara's Boo
When taking lessons, the Rhodes 19 and J22 were sailed without motors. During a keelboat class, the engine stopped (water pump seized). We sailed back into the docking area and came along side of the dock much the same as we did with the engine. It was a great exercise for the four students, the instructor, and the dock crew (who mostly watched as we came in).
Maneuvering is much easier with an auxiliary engine. Keeping on a schedule is much easier with an auxiliary engine to counteract winds and tides. Local conditions must be taken into consideration.
The "sailing purist" in me wants to use sails only. The outboard makes lots of noise and increases the stress we experience.
As a compromise, I have switched to an electric outboard (Torqeedo Cruise 2.0). There is extra weight from the batteries, but I have more than sufficient energy stored for the worst case scenario of motoring back without sails. This year the boat will be on a mooring using a solar panel to recharge the batteries.
I'm happy with my solution. It comes close to my ideal of "engineless sailing".
Maneuvering is much easier with an auxiliary engine. Keeping on a schedule is much easier with an auxiliary engine to counteract winds and tides. Local conditions must be taken into consideration.
The "sailing purist" in me wants to use sails only. The outboard makes lots of noise and increases the stress we experience.
As a compromise, I have switched to an electric outboard (Torqeedo Cruise 2.0). There is extra weight from the batteries, but I have more than sufficient energy stored for the worst case scenario of motoring back without sails. This year the boat will be on a mooring using a solar panel to recharge the batteries.
I'm happy with my solution. It comes close to my ideal of "engineless sailing".
I think this is great, but also boat dependent. An electic outboard would have trouble pushing my W32 for example, but lighter displacement boats would benefit greatly. Are the batteries lighter than say a desiel engine with at least 20-30 gallons of fuel on board? This may be a good trade off.
T.
I use 4 GC2 lead acid batteries. Total weight of 265 lbs for a cost of $300. Acceptable for my needs. If I optimized size and weight, then I would use the Lithium-Magnesium batteries. For basically the same range it would cost $2500 but weigh 55 lbs and take half the space.
Every design is a set of trade offs. Don't forget the Queen Mary is powered by electric motors.
Depends
Last week we motored out of our bayou and then sailed over 100 miles and anchored without starting the engine. We love to sail. Too many "sailers" IMHO have became too reliant upon the engine and have neglected their sailing skills. That said it really helps to be able to start the engine when you need to move and the wind is no existent,too weak,too strong or from the wrong direction. We sailed about 45 miles from Pensacola to Destin down Santa Rosa Sound. The wind was good from the SW . BUT the sound is way too narrow for tacking if the wind was on our nose.
Last week we motored out of our bayou and then sailed over 100 miles and anchored without starting the engine. We love to sail. Too many "sailers" IMHO have became too reliant upon the engine and have neglected their sailing skills. That said it really helps to be able to start the engine when you need to move and the wind is no existent,too weak,too strong or from the wrong direction. We sailed about 45 miles from Pensacola to Destin down Santa Rosa Sound. The wind was good from the SW . BUT the sound is way too narrow for tacking if the wind was on our nose.
engine use
There are many sailors in tight docking situations that are mostly in accessable without power
In other areas sailing in an out is prohibited by marina rules. These people have to use an engine I am in a crowded harbor with no slips all moorings. even so but most of the boats get in and out under sail. that is my situation. I do use an 8hp outboard on occasion when the wind is on the nose and tacking out is a PITA. or when wind is 0 and I need to get in. This is routine for me because Ive had the same mooring for 43 years and Ive always done
it Its not about asthetics or trying to prove anything to myself or any body else. Its routine
Ive always done it. If I was in a different situation I would adapt.
There are many sailors in tight docking situations that are mostly in accessable without power
In other areas sailing in an out is prohibited by marina rules. These people have to use an engine I am in a crowded harbor with no slips all moorings. even so but most of the boats get in and out under sail. that is my situation. I do use an 8hp outboard on occasion when the wind is on the nose and tacking out is a PITA. or when wind is 0 and I need to get in. This is routine for me because Ive had the same mooring for 43 years and Ive always done
it Its not about asthetics or trying to prove anything to myself or any body else. Its routine
Ive always done it. If I was in a different situation I would adapt.
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