Nice try Thom. The answer is much simpler than that.

No one will get it. I should post the answer. Again
the hints are this is a lazy and smart skipper.

Thom Stewart wrote

Ah yes Bart,

A condition I often experience. Using your engine to get higher on the
wind than your sails will take you.

Sailors sometimes motor sail, as I do, to get running time on the
engine. When you are doing this, why not get to windward as much a
possible while using the engine. When you shutdown the engine your
up-wind work is behind you and the sailing is free, easy and quite.

Luffing slightly reduces resistance to a higher heading. If working
directly into the wind and tacking, you work higher using the motor to
get better wind angle on the next tack

Ole Thom

If there is a collision you would be at fault.

Sounds like it's unlawful, then, doesn't it?

The sailboat would not automatically be at fault and it would not be unlawful
to allow a powerboater to form a mistaken impression. BB, you need to study up
a bit.