On Sat, 12 Apr 2008 04:39:25 GMT, Steve wrote:

I'd like to see where you get your figures that sailboats are rescued
more than powerboats on a percentage basis.

Likewise.

When I was docked next to
a Seatow boat, I talked to him about just this and he said he rarely
had to go rescue sailboats, maybe one a year. But he was rescuing
powerboats every day.

Large numbers of lubbers in powerboats run out of fuel. This would
seem less likely with a sailboat. given the low, relative to tank
size, fuel consumption. In other words, endurance in hours Is greater
giving more margin for the unexpected. Many powerboats cannot handle a
day of waterskiing, say, without refueling. My 22 foot cuddy has 175
HP and a 52 gal tank[s]. And it is a guzzling gasser, not a thrifty
diesel. Someone makes a 80 foot expedition type power boat with a 1200
foot Genoa, just in case the single engine takes a dump.

Also remember that most larger sailboats are powerboats also. So if
they need rescueing because the aux engine has failed, what category
does that fall into?

Less likely. Even if the owner just doesn't like sailing much and
powers everywhere, the sails are there if the motor quits.

Casady