On Tue, 20 Apr 2010 10:45:18 -0700, "nom=de=plume"
wrote:

Most cruising sailboats spend more than 90% of their time underway
with the engine running. Either the wind is from the wrong direction,
too weak or too strong.


I thought most sailboats spend more than 90% of their time sitting in a
berth or anchored.

Why would you need to run the engine offshore when there's lots of wind?
Seems like it wouldn't help that much. I can understand needing to get away
from a shoreline, but in the middle of an ocean? If it's really that bad,
wouldn't you want to try and slow the boat? I saw parachutes for this at the
boat show.

The average boat does spend well over 90% of its time at the dock but
I'm talking about percentage of the time *underway*, i.e., not at the
dock or anchored. When trying to get from point A to point B (as
opposed to day sailing), the wind is frequently from an unfavoravle
direction, too weak, or too strong for the boat/crew to handle. As a
result the engine gets used a *lot* more than you might think.

It is also important to understand that the *average* cruising
sailboat does not cross oceans or run offshore for large distance.
Probably less than 1% do that kind of sailing although we see a lot of
them down here in the Caribbean. Many, but not all, of the ocean
crossers look like they've been through a war.

On a different topic, most cruising sailboats do not have a standalone
generator until well up into the mid 40 ft range. Instead they use
the main engine/alternator to charge batteries, etc. This in turn
causes a lot of extra wear and tear, sometimes leading to premature
engine failure. The stories about engine problems on sailboats go on
and on, and in my experience most are true. They are frequently
located in difficult, cramped areas which leads to a lot of deferred
maintenance. This is compounded by the mindset of many, but not all,
sailboat owners to leave well enough alone as long as the engine still
runs (benign neglect). It is rare to find a used sailboat where the
engine and associated drive train are still in top condition.