Chris Newport wrote:

On Wednesday 25 August 2004 12:26 am in rec.boats.cruising Parallax wrote:


A related issue is that most sailboats have a fairly small engine
intended only to get the boat up to hull speed in calm water. Putting
in a larger engine would be considered wasteful because then the boat
would have to always carry around that heavier engine even when it
wasnt needed. Is it possible to temporarily increase the power
outpuit of a small engine by some means, perhaps a blower, a turbo or
even using NOS? This might give the sailboat the ability to better
motor off a lee shore in strong winds, motor against a strong running
tide, etc. I am primarily interested in times when it is a safety
issue, not for convenience so potential engine damage might be
acceptable.


If the hull is not designed for planing under power you
will not be able exceed the hull speed, so more power is
a waste.

Twaddle.

More power = more speed. The hull speed calculation simply implies
what speed you might find most economical. Slower is cheaper, except
for time. Time is money. Kind of like relativity. Is time cheap?

Sail off of a lee shore. Don't buy a sailboat that can't. If it is
tough, even a little boost from an engine will make the difference.
When the wind comes up, reduce sail. Too much wind power makes a
sailboat difficult to maneuver. All boat hulls are sailboats. Most
sailboats can be sailed without their sails.

Look a little further up the road (seaway). Keep out of trouble
instead of trying to get out of trouble.

That's Pilot's rule #1!

Too bad automobiles don't follow the COLREGS! Pedestrians have the
right of way even on the water.

Terry K