Can anyone tell me more about motorsailing it is a new subject to me. Any things to be careful of? Is it any faster than just motoring based on the fact you have to tac?
Thanx
Steveo
Thanx
Steveo
- Status
Any time the motor is running and sails are up...
You are motorsailing. The thing to watch out for is letting a line drop over the side while the engine is running which is easier to do while you are sailing. You also need to consider that you do not have sailboat status when the motor is running so in terms of "right of way" you are just another motorboat.
I resort to motorsiling when the wind it too light or the direction is unfavorable for me to make it to my destination in time. Since I travel with dogs that do not use the head or swim step to relieve themselves, I use the technique frequently.
Even when there is no wind and I have to travel any significant distance I will have the sails up to improve the comfort by stopping the rolling motion from waves or boat wakes. In no wind conditions I haul the traveler over to one side and sheet in until the apparent headwind puts pressure on the mainsail to give the boat a slight heel. No tacking required in this instance.
If there is some wind to help you along your way you will save fuel over motoring only and your speed will be a bit better also.
You are motorsailing. The thing to watch out for is letting a line drop over the side while the engine is running which is easier to do while you are sailing. You also need to consider that you do not have sailboat status when the motor is running so in terms of "right of way" you are just another motorboat.
I resort to motorsiling when the wind it too light or the direction is unfavorable for me to make it to my destination in time. Since I travel with dogs that do not use the head or swim step to relieve themselves, I use the technique frequently.
Even when there is no wind and I have to travel any significant distance I will have the sails up to improve the comfort by stopping the rolling motion from waves or boat wakes. In no wind conditions I haul the traveler over to one side and sheet in until the apparent headwind puts pressure on the mainsail to give the boat a slight heel. No tacking required in this instance.
If there is some wind to help you along your way you will save fuel over motoring only and your speed will be a bit better also.
Well, There has been times when the wind was light and we need to get somewhere quick. I would raise the main trim her in and put the motor half throttle (8 h.p. outboard on a Neptune 24) and head on to our destanation. Really nothig different than just sailing. You still need to set your trim when you tack (or turn). IT DOES HELP SAVE ON FUEL TOUGH!
Read "Last Sail" and "A Boat With Legs" on this page:
http://www.rogerlongboats.com/PEarticles.htm
for a couple of insights into motorsailing.
http://www.rogerlongboats.com/PEarticles.htm
for a couple of insights into motorsailing.
Be careful when heeling with the motor running. There is a recent thread which discusses the potential danger due to heeling far enough so as to impede oil pickup from the sump at angles exceeding appox 15 deg thereby starving the engine of lube oil. Motorsailing is a common practice but be mindful of this problem.
a few pointers
Yanmar advises not to run the engine when the boat is heeled over 17 degrees. In my way of thinking, if you've got enough breeze to heel that much, you shouldn't be motoring anyway.
Off the coast, I often see people motorsailing with the main overtrimmed. I suspect this is because they're not really using the sail for propulsion, just as a stabilizer. This seems goofy to me, because if the sail is drawing properly, it will stabilize the boat better. Of course, a strapped main won't heel the boat as much as a main in proper trim, so perhaps this is what folks are going for. Motorsailing becomes a way of battling seasickness, especially in situations where the breeze is light but the swell is not.
If you're motorsailing correctly, you still need to tack into the wind. You'll be able to point higher than usual because the apparent wind (generated by the engine) moves forward.
As far as the rules of the road are involved, when you're motorsailing you're a motorboat, not a sailboat. Which is why the rules specify that you fly an inverted black cone--apex down--in the rigging during the day, so that people don't confuse you with a sailboat. Out here on the West Coast, if you see someone flying the proper signal, it probably indicates that they are cruisers from Europe. The rest of us generally ignore this rule during the day, but at least know enough to run the steaming light at night.
Yanmar advises not to run the engine when the boat is heeled over 17 degrees. In my way of thinking, if you've got enough breeze to heel that much, you shouldn't be motoring anyway.
Off the coast, I often see people motorsailing with the main overtrimmed. I suspect this is because they're not really using the sail for propulsion, just as a stabilizer. This seems goofy to me, because if the sail is drawing properly, it will stabilize the boat better. Of course, a strapped main won't heel the boat as much as a main in proper trim, so perhaps this is what folks are going for. Motorsailing becomes a way of battling seasickness, especially in situations where the breeze is light but the swell is not.
If you're motorsailing correctly, you still need to tack into the wind. You'll be able to point higher than usual because the apparent wind (generated by the engine) moves forward.
As far as the rules of the road are involved, when you're motorsailing you're a motorboat, not a sailboat. Which is why the rules specify that you fly an inverted black cone--apex down--in the rigging during the day, so that people don't confuse you with a sailboat. Out here on the West Coast, if you see someone flying the proper signal, it probably indicates that they are cruisers from Europe. The rest of us generally ignore this rule during the day, but at least know enough to run the steaming light at night.
Whenever on a trip we set an agressive goal of trying to cover 140nm in a 24 hour period. We will use the engine once the average speed over the bottom drops below 5.5 knots. We also make the best use of favorable currents by planning departures and routes. Our average burn rate for the 2GM20 is approximately 0.5GPH but when motor sailing it goes down to an average 0.4GPH. We have never lost oil pressure on the engine from heeling. The warning buzzer will let you know if you do. The h320 sails better upright so we trim our sails for under 20 degrees of heel. Another reason why we motorsail is to put some charge back into the batteries as we run refrigeration. Beware of crab traps at night in coastal waters as a spinning prop is more supceptible to snagging them if you can't see them to steer away. We take our chances when the engine is running but when not we'll lock the prop when visibility is at issue. As part of our planning we will anticipate the hours and intensity of moonlight to help on crossings. Our exaust opening is under the waterline so the noises comming from the engine are most those of the valve train and most felt just inside the cabin. A final comment on "time"; very many of us may be limited to the available time we have for sailing due to work, family responsibilities or other commitments so motor sailing will help make more efficient use of your time in the water. It will strech your sailing area.
A main up, trimmed to be juuuusssstttt full, will make motoring more comfortable by limiting the rolling motion. You'll only heel about 7-10 degrees, if more than that you're defeating the purpose. If there's a bit of favorable breeze, I sometimes add a little jib, but not so much that it's difficult to see underneath it. It'll add some speed. With an autopilot steering to a waypoint, it's a comfortable way to get somewhere, in as much of a hurry as a sailboat will allow.
I think this is more a warning to sailors to level the boat to charge the batteries.
ummm....no. That means you have to fall off the wind more to keep the sails full.
I believe it has to do with the oil level being off in the engine. Has nothing to do with the alternator but the engine runs the alternator.
- Status