Motorsailers. An Oxymoran?

[shemandr]

On another thread, which I couldn't find, there was a discussion of the Mac 26 X and S as motorsailers. I often thought and maybe even posted that I think there is no such thing. There's a motor boat or a sailboat, period. At most you could say there are motorboats which can be sail assisted.
My family had a Sumnercraft when we were growing up. They were built on LI in Brightwaters in the 50's and 60's, maybe 70's. They were built first in plywood, and then coated with fiberglass on both sides as I understand it. There were several motorsailers. Canoe -ish sterns, center cockpit and I suppose some sort of keel. Recently I've communicated with a guy who was trying to find his old Sumnercraft 24. He placed an ad in LI Boating Life. And I responded with what info I had. He sent me these brochures.
And some more.

 

[shemandr]

It was a great boat. My brothers and I tried to break it in Shinnicock Inlet and it didn't break, not for lack of effort (Stupidity).

 

[dlochner]

The problem with motor sailors is they neither sail or motor very well.

 

[Rick D]

Actually, the Lancer 29 Powersailer did pretty well under sail. Under power, it had a hearty appetite for fuel and was semi-planing in my opinion. It would get up to 8 or 9 knots flat out in pretty flat water. It was a real handful getting in or out of a slip. It was my dad's boat which saw little time under sail since he really didn't know much about sailing, or for that matter, motoring.

 

[capta]

The problem with motor sailors is they neither sail or motor very well.

That is in no way true. The Rhodes and S&S designed motor sailors like those below were terrific sailboats (for their day), though by no means racers. Comfortable, beautiful and classy they were the sailboat to have for non sailors' vacations on the water, back when they were common.
I've heard, though not sailed, that the more modest Nauticats are very good sailboats. They sure hold their value, more than any other boat I can think of off hand.

 

[twistedskipper]

I think it is important to distinguish between traditional motorsailers, as described by capta above, and powersailers, which are the Macgregor M and X models, Hunter Edge, etc. Otherwise the conversation gets muddled.

 

[dlochner]

That is in no way true. The Rhodes and S&S designed motor sailors like those below were terrific sailboats (for their day), though by no means racers. Comfortable, beautiful and classy they were the sailboat to have for non sailors' vacations on the water, back when they were common.
I've heard, though not sailed, that the more modest Nauticats are very good sailboats. They sure hold their value, more than any other boat I can think of off hand.
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Oh, we love semantics, don't we?

Looking at these boats, I'm more inclined to think of them as pilot house sail boats, well suited for colder climates. They have ample sail area and have hulls that look like sailboats hulls. The proportions look more like sailboats than trawlers or tugs.

Size is a big factor in performance and appearance, too much gets stuffed into the short hull. Same with center cockpit boats, over 40' and a center cockpit boat can be attractive and the design works. Irwin and S2 tried CC boats in the 30' range and they just appear too boxy.

 

[shemandr]

Here is one chartered by East End Charters, which is Pat Mudus, who writes for Soundings Magazine among other activities:

About | East End Charters

Learn more about our remarkable fleet and the crew who make it happen. We can't wait to sail with you in the East End!

www.eastendcharters.com

 

[Hunter216]

I think it is important to distinguish between traditional motorsailers, as described by capta above, and powersailers, which are the Macgregor M and X models, Hunter Edge, etc. Otherwise the conversation gets muddled.

So what do we call sailboats with motors? Sailmotors?

 

[shemandr]

I called the Sumnercraft a sail assisted powerboat. It planes with around 200 hp inboard.

 

[Lazy1]

I could be forced to suffer a Nordhavn 56MS

 

[shemandr]

Won't that take up your whole driveway in Pittsburgh?

 

[Lazy1]

Won't that take up your whole driveway in Pittsburgh?

Worth it

 

[PaulK]

William Hand drew some nice motorsailers. This one comes by our club each year.

http://www.dolphin24.org/images%2014/12%20noreaster%20dock.jpg

 

[capta]

Oh, we love semantics, don't we?

Looking at these boats, I'm more inclined to think of them as pilot house sail boats, well suited for colder climates. They have ample sail area and have hulls that look like sailboats hulls. The proportions look more like sailboats than trawlers or tugs.

Size is a big factor in performance and appearance, too much gets stuffed into the short hull. Same with center cockpit boats, over 40' and a center cockpit boat can be attractive and the design works. Irwin and S2 tried CC boats in the 30' range and they just appear too boxy.

Most of the boats pictured are twin screw, which would put them strictly in the motorsailor class. But yes, they certainly had beautiful lines and still look a lot more seaworthy than their newer big sisters, IMO.

 

[srimes]

How about something that fits in my budget. Does this count?

 

[Kings Gambit]

The problem with motor sailors is they neither sail or motor very well.

Yeah. This comment cannot generalize as to the performance variation among designs in this fashion. Seek and ye shall find. The quality models with capability will be among the larger ones, from what I’ve seen. Maybe true for a Fisher 32 motorsailor, Willard 30, or similar, but that’s hardly the universe.

 

[william24424]

I like the idea of being dry inside a pilothouse. Nordhavn has some bold designs along these lines. Traditional dodgers can get in the way, and you're still exposed. Mechanical self-steering, still needs a lookout, or trusted radar. The giddy up of a big engine, quicker to destination, should sea become angry. I'm surprised they're not more designs of this type?

 

[shemandr]

Comfort could turn my head.

 

[Stu Jackson]

So what do we call sailboats with motors? Sailmotors?

Trawlers with sticks!
And a lot more comfortable at anchor. The keel provides stability you don't get in a flat bottomed vessel.