Yes, that's my point... I like to play what-if games when sailing...like
what if the engine dies? Can I get back to something resembling a safe-haven
without the engine... is the ebb so strong that in light winds I'll have a
problem if the engine dies...

I wonder if he contemplates reaching for the engine if there's an MOB?

--
"j" ganz @@
www.sailnow.com

"Jeff" wrote in message
...
Capt. JG wrote:
"Jeff" wrote in message
. ..
I don't get it. Why does the Mac "need" an engine 3 times as powerful
as all of its competition. And why is that a safety feature?

Because the "sailor" driving it is either insecure about himself or not
experienced enough to deal with the conditions, including "getting to the
sailing area" under sail. The engine should be a last resort.


Yes, this one has had me thinking some. I understand Jim's point that the
high freeboard can cause a bit of a problem. However, the small sail area
on the boat only generates a limited amount of power. I can't find my
reference (Gere's book) but I think all he could count on from his sails
in 14 kts would be around 6 HP. Even doubling the wind only brings it up
to 24 HP. Certainly others of his size, such as Neal's banana boat, can
get up to hull speed with an engine under 10 hp.

So claiming that 50 hp is required to power the boat is essentially
claiming that the boat would be unmanageable under sail. In other words,
the big engine would allow to get offshore fast, but then you're in deep
**** if it died, because the sails do not generate enough power to get you
back.