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On 22 Feb 2005 14:30:08 -0800, wrote:
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?
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Precisely right. I live in an area of south Florida which is
constantly crossed by cruising sailors of every type and description.
Even on the Gulf of Mexico it is unusual to see one that is not
motoring or motor sailing under reduced sail plan.
As some one else pointed out in this thread, most cruising sailboats
are too loaded down (and have bottoms to rough/dirty), to sail well.
Based on the number of boats underway with greatly reduced sail plans,
I'd guess there's an aversion to being heeled over as well.
This is one of the reasons for the popularity of trawlers. You get
real engines, with real tank capacity so that at least you can motor
well, unlike most cruising sailboats that don't sail or motor very
well. In addition you get over twice the living area for the same
length of boat.
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