"Jere Lull" wrote in message
news:2008040520315216807-jerelull@maccom...
On 2008-04-05 09:48:23 -0400, Bruce in Bangkok
said:

I suspect, but can't prove that yacht engines are seldom run at maximum
continuous horsepower settings for any length of time while most
commercial engines are.

Talking around the docks, and here, I find that most 'yacht' engines are
also either at idle or 80+% of designed revs.

I'm a bit unusual that I normally power at less than 80% of the engine's
max revs to maximize fuel economy. At 70-75% of max revs, we get 25-30
mpg. 80% has us pushing against hull speed. Full revs push us over hull
speed, and I've only done that twice in 15 seasons.

Most sailors run at high power when they motor. If they turn the motor on,
they're by definition in a hurry.


I've noticed another prevalent reason why they start their inboard motors
even if they don't need them. They say it's to top off the batteries but I
can't help but notice it's more of a security blanket. They feel more secure
and safer if the motor is running even when they're sailing. This is
especially noticeable in rough weather. There's something about that motor
running even in idle that makes them feel better. The binky effect, so to
speak!

Even at anchor, the minute high winds or threatening dark clouds come up
many diesels began to run. They say it's to take the strain off the anchors
but that's bull****. It's to take the strain of their paranoid minds. They
don't trust their own anchoring jobs! This is a sad statement about how
motors actually cause sailors to be sloppy so they rely more on their motors
and then they become sloppier so they rely still more on their motors and
when the motor dies they are lost, totally lost. This is today's sad state
of "sailing."

Wilbur Hubbard