I "sailed" my boat, when I first got her, from LA Harbor to San Diego solo.
I was determined to use sail only the whole way, but when I realized that
sail was powering me at 2-3 mph and my motor was powering me at 5-6 mph, my
mind quickly changed. I just didn't have the time to sit there for nearly a
week to try to get the boat down here.

I think that sailors use power as little as they can, but as little as they
can turns out to, unfortunately, be quite a bit of the time.



wrote in message
oups.com...
After reading hundreds of cruising logs, in-, near- and offshore, on
the net over the past several months, I have been struck by how often
and for how long cruising sailors report they are under engine power.
From what I have read, it would appear that sailors are under engine
power for something in the 80-90% range.

Why, then, have a sailboat? For the little time under sail and quiet?
Or is it a need to prove hardiness to oneself and to others?