Going engineless

[a.mcpherson]

Hi Everyone,

This is a question to all. Does anyone have experience with sailing the Vega engineless? With a boat this size, wouldn`t going engineless be better than the headache of dealing with an inboard all of the time? This question is of course to those when it would be most practical, i.e. no deadline of getting back to the office, etc... I haven`t bought a Vega yet, but I am enjoying all of the web-info out here, and am asking this because I`ve always sailed without an engine. I`ve been a live aboard (3 yrs.) and 2 months engineless in the Carib and am curious to hear your opinions.

Andrew

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[vega1860]

Aloha Andrew and welcome to the group.

I sailed my Vega with a dead engine for several years in Hawaii. It
can certainly be done. However, most places nowadays are difficult to
negotiate without an engine of some sort. At least an outboard.
Quite a few Vega owners have chucked the old inboard engine in favor
of a modern outboard. This has both advantages and disadvantages of
course. The Vega can be rowed or sculled fairly easily but you will
have to be very careful about currents and be willing to wait for
favorable winds. That may mean waiting for days to enter or leave a port.

I was lucky in that the location of my slip in the Ala Wai boat harbor
in Honolulu allowed me to sail in and out. That is until I was forced
to relocate to the outside row where the prevailing wind kept me
pinned against the pier. I ultimately had a new inboard diesel engine
installed.

Lin and Larry Pardee, famously engineless cruisers and authors of
several books, are well known among cruising circles in the Pacific
for begging tows. While refreshing myself one afternoon at the Waikiki
Yacht Club Bar I was told that "You can't really call yourself a
cruiser if you've never towed the Pardees." d;^)

FWIW

Malie ke kai

Chuck Rose
SV Lealea, V1860
Honolulu (Friday Harbor, WA)

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Albin Vega - American Vega Association. Vega 27 sailing, cruising, living aboard, maintenance, repairs, events, information.

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[pjacobs55]

Andrew:
I think it depends a lot on the areas you sail in. In some areas
going engineless might be easier and safer than others.
Here in the Pacific Northwest/Vancouver Island region I wouldn't like
to try it too often, although I do sail every possible chance. But
with a 10' tidal range and many strong currents, and 10 knot rip
tides, combined with frequent calms, an engine is a real asset for
staying out of trouble. I wouldn't be without my little Yanmar!

Peter
#1331 'Sin Tacha'

 

[rogerefairest]

Sailing without an engine is challenging, however it
is very rewarding.

I did it for 2 years around the Uk, now I have an
outboard due to the commodity that having an engine
provides to having to go to the office at the end of
the weekend.

The only thing that I do recommend if sailing without
an engine is a very beefed up anchoring system, just
in case the wind dies and the tide turns.

In France I have seen lots of people going in an out
of harbours with the tide rushing out (no joke, the
difference in height between the outer and inner
harbour was about 6 inches, with the water rushing
out).

However with a sculling oar you should be able to do
it.

 

[mcphersona50]

Hi Roger and Peter,
I agree about having an engine, but an outboard, thus gaining the space/economic/getting out of tight spot advantages. I agree with the beefed up anchor advice too. My sailing grounds will be the Oslofjord here in Norway with eventually extending the grounds down through France on the Rhine and then on into the Med. Rodger, do you have any info on sailing the Rhine? Andrew

 

[solismaris43]

Going engineless for me has meant coming home from a daysail
exhausted, beating agonizingly into 20-25 kts into Salem harbor
trying to get back to my mooring, for 3 hours well into night time
having several narrow escapes neary colliding with other boats or
almost ramming into shore, then having to settle for anchoring not
more than 50 yards from my mooring, yet too exhausted and unnerved by
the numerous close calls to try anymore to gain the security of my
mooring. We had to spend the night, unplanned, and we were both
pissed.

Then, in the morning waking to 1 knot, blowing straight at the
mooring, glorious warm sunshine. Picked up the anchor, drifted over
to the mooring in about 2 minutes, casually reached in and picked it
up, secured the line and we were home!

That and another experience which I'll relate later convinced me not
to try going engineless again.
--
David Kojen
Vega 377

 

[wxt8981]

Hi:
I have a very reliable Diesel engine, yet I have sailed in and out of my mooring without an engine several times in all kind of conditions as part of an exercise. I have to sail through a long and narrow channel with many bends. It's a real challenge without an engine. Though now I know when I can get in (or out), mostly in, because should the engine not start, I just stay put and go out only when the engine workes again.
Wilhelm, V-257

"a.mcpherson" a.mcp@... wrote: Hi Roger and Peter,
I agree about having an engine, but an outboard, thus gaining the space/economic/getting out of tight spot advantages. I agree with the beefed up anchor advice too. My sailing grounds will be the Oslofjord here in Norway with eventually extending the grounds down through France on the Rhine and then on into the Med. Rodger, do you have any info on sailing the Rhine? Andrew

 

[rogerefairest]

Hi Andrew;

Sorry, no info on that.

Roger