I can play your game too - my engines are rated at 18 at 3600 rpm, but I normally run at
2700 where they are rated at 8 hp at the prop. So I really have a total of 16 hp for a 36
foot boat, which actually has the volume of a 45.

But now you're saying that your boat can power into a chop - you just prefer to bear off a
bit and carry an oversheeted main to gain some VMG and get a steadier ride. So I guess
when the stupidity of your original claim was pointed out you decided that maybe my
approach is more sensible. I knew you'd see it my way.


Simple Simon wrote:
My little Honda is 9.9 HP but I don't run it much over half
throttle so I only use about six or so of the HP in very light
or no wind conditions. It will go close to hull speed at a little
over half throttle. I have tried it with sails down and powering
straight into a brisk wind of about 30 knots on the shallow
banks in the Bahamas and had it almost wide open but it
would only push the boat along at four knots. It's better to
motorsail with the main up and fall off about 20 degrees to
the wind and go about six or seven knots.

38 HP for a 34 foot sailboat is a bit much.


"Jeff Morris" jeffmo@NoSpam-sv-lokiDOTcom wrote in message
...
Are you claiming that your boat would fall apart if properly
powered? Yes, I suppose it would.

You might call my boat a "motorsailor" but it only has twin 18 hp
engines, not exactly overpowered.

So how small is your engine, that its unable to push the boat in all
conditions?

BTW, the current Lats & Atts has a review of the PDQ MV 34
"trawler." It comes with twin 75s, or twin 100 diesels.



Simple Simon wrote:
And that's one of the main differences between a real sailboat
and a motorsailer like you operate (notice I was careful not
to say 'sail') - sailboats are not designed to bang straight into
the wind. They cannot do it under sail and they cannot do it
under motor power unless they have such large motors that
they are NO LONGER to be considered sailboats. Calling
them motorsailers is a kindness they really don't deserve.

They are just motorboats with sails.

Go ahead and brag all you want how your motorboat can
go straight into whatever chop and seas you care to mention.
The bigger the better because all it proves is that you have
a motorboat with sails. Me, I prefer a sailboat with a small
auxiliary motor that can be and is lifted clear of the water when
not needed.

The more you talk the more you reveal your true personality.
You are a dyed-in-the-wool motorboater and proud of it.

S.Simon


"Jeff Morris" jeffmo@NoSpam-sv-lokiDOTcom wrote in message
...
Neal, you've totally lost it now! You're so eager to win a
loosing argument that you're now bragging about how much you
motorsailed around the Bahamas!

Further, you've admitted that you have to, because your "vessel" is
unable to power into a chop, like any proper boat can.

Of course I prefer to motorsail instead of powering, when possible;
even the catamaran is a lot smoother with sail up. But when I have
to, I can power straight into a 4 foot chop and 20+ knots of wind
and still make over 5 knots. The Banana Boat would at best make 1
knot, and at worst cook its engine, in these conditions.