Does anybody bother with white flappy things anymore?

[Robin]

I find it strange to see boats with instantly available in-mast mains with no sail up motoring when at the very least using it would give extra speed or use less fuel.

That said, we go afloat for pleasure, nowhere does it say you have to fish from a fishing boat or sail in a sailing boat if you don't want to.

As for boats not leaving the marina, I often wonder if people have thought that of us because we quite often enjoy staying in our berth all weekend. In our case we have a view across Poole Harbour from our (paid for) berth that nearby houseowners have paid many millions to have! We go on board from Friday pm to Sunday every weekend in the season whatever the weather and we sail as much as 2,000nm in a year, but to the occasional passer by like maybe the racers who go out for a couple of hours at a time every weekend we could appear stay at homes. Then again there are lots of retired people in our marina who are on board but in their berth at weekends and only go out when the rest of us have gone home, but that isn't noticed.

 

[Ubergeekian]

As for boats not leaving the marina, I often wonder if people have thought that of us because we quite often enjoy staying in our berth all weekend.

I'm only a visitor to marinas (Kirkcudbright doesn't really count, as it's more of a "yacht station") but it strikes me that there is quite a range of atmospheres. I rather like Largs: it's bustling, there are good views to be had quite easily, and I can imagine that a weekend on board there would be great fun. On the other hand Kip has always seemed like a rather depressing hole to me and if I had a boat there I'd want to go somewhere - anywhere - for the weekend.

Jumblie's in Milford Haven till the spring, and I'm looking forward to spending a few days on board from time to time - we'll go out if the weather's nice but otherwise just work our way through a shelf full of books.

 

[BelleSerene]

I have a theory that the owners of many modern plastic boats buy them without sails at all.

If I can turn your idea on its head, I've just been learning that this is exactly what we SHOULD do. Tell the manufacturer to shave a few final hundred quid off the price, and put it towards a decent suit of sails. After a few seasons with the rags they sell you with a new boat, you realise you should have selected the sails from the beginning.

But then of course you should use them all the time: I for one use a diesel engine for getting off a marina and getting back alongside. The best moment in most passages is when the diesel is switched off!

 

[JimC]

But then of course you should use them all the time: I for one use a diesel engine for getting off a marina and getting back alongside. The best moment in most passages is when the diesel is switched off!

Too much of this thread is telling people what they should do, and implying they're wimps if they're not hoisting sail at every opportunity. I like sailing but I can also enjoy chugging quietly along with the boat level and comfortable and nothing to do but keep a look out and watch the scenery go by. Others, as stated, enjoy living aboard their boats in marinas. Each to his own.

 

[BelleSerene]

Too much of this thread is telling people what they should do

Very sorry Jim: my point wasn't meant to be preachy at all.

 

[lw395]

Out yesterday and after a flat calm start a nice 10-12 knot breeze filled in. Had a great sail fully powered up doing 6 - 7 knots most of the time as was reach both ways.

Saw quite a few other boats going the similar or reciprocal direction. Yet apart from one solitary boat, all were motoring with sail covers firmly on.

Does anybody bother with the white flappy things ? Had to remind myself this season that overtaking boat keeps clear, even when sail overtaking power ;-)

I'm in the 'turn the noisy motor off ASAP' camp too, but better a day afloat under motor than being on here tallking about sailing. I think other people must have quieter motors?

Bet the chaps currently hosted by Iran wish they'd taken their motor a little more seriously.
Hope they are quickly home.

 

[trapezeartist]

I have a theory that the owners of many modern plastic boats buy them without sails at all. For the day or two a year they leave the marina it's hardly worthwhile having them and the savings help pay the marina bills, buy diesel, stock up on G&T and so on.

I've just bought a boat that is four seasons old. There were 380 miles "on the clock" when I took delivery. On checking the log book, I found that the new delivery accounted for 317 of those miles.

 

[BelleSerene]

I've just bought a boat that is four seasons old. There were 380 miles "on the clock" when I took delivery. On checking the log book, I found that the new delivery accounted for 317 of those miles.

Have you mended the log impeller now?

 

[sailbadmax]

well they were out
that is a start

 

[trapezeartist]

Have you mended the log impeller now?

 

[alexrunic]

i must admit there are plenty of people about who don't bother with sails, i see boats from my club motor then have to anchor for hours, much rather get there in peace and quite and enjoy the journey, most of them have a 5 knot rule. I have a 0.5 knot rule unless short on time he he. I suppose it takes all sorts it's not really right to criticize but it's strange if you ask me.

 

[Vonasi]

I'm with the sail as much as possible group, even to the point of not bothering with the engine if dropping or lifting anchor (if anchorage and wind conditions allow without risk to other boats already there of course). We have also set our boat up so that we don't need to run the engine at all to charge the batteries.

Earlier this year I was reminded that the decision to sail or not can be very much decided by the boat. I helped deliver a boat from Southern Greece to Palma and she sailed like a pig. All the sail handling equipment was undersized and badly positioned. I soon learnt that if it wasn't F6 or above just don't bother. The owner was even reluctant to get the mainsail out as a balancing sail because it was so much hard work. Once he was persuaded we actually found that with it up we went slower! We had the engines off for all of 5 hours in a 1200nm trip.

Many people motor when they could be sailing because their boats are too electricity hungry and they need to charge their batteries or make water. Once again their boat is making the decision for them.

So next time you see someone motoring in a F5, feel sorry for them because it might be their boats decision.

Here in the eastern Med most of the boats that motor when they could be sailing belong to either charterers (less said the better), or liveaboards who can't be bothered to take down all the sun awnings and stow everything away down below.

There is something very satisfying about spending an afternoon ghosting down a gulf in silence while all around are shouting at each other over the noise of their engines. It's amazing how many people suddenly hoist their sails when they see us sailing, and then promptly get rid of them when they realise we are doing less than 1 knot.

 

[Tommyrot]

I have a 0.5 knot rule unless short on time he he. I suppose it takes all sorts it's not really right to criticize but it's strange if you ask me.

Unless I'm under pressure to get somewhere, which would be very unusual, if I'm making enough way to steer I'm happy.....

 

[s/v moondancer]

Credit Card Salors

For 5 years I sailed Biscayne Bay and the Florida Keys, one of the worlds great sailing areas. I averaged 200 days per year with the sails up and except for the 4th Sat of the month when the racers came out I was almost the only sailor out there...but Sunday can be very dangerous when a few 'credit card' sailors try and sail.

Recently a 45 ft Beneteau, on auto-pilot, with a bikini clad foredeck crew hit, at hull speed, the 39 ft committee boat surrounded by 30 Optis.

Oops, "Credit Card Sailors"

 

[OGITD]

Only Cruisers use their sails.

Funny you should ask this question, as only today in conversation with two very senior and experienced mariners, who were discussing the fact that a large percentage of the racing fraternity only use their sails when racing. Even those who have a set for cruising refuse to use them and motor everywhere (unless racing of course).

So this might be the reason you have noticed many yachts motoring in your area.


Although I have also been guilty of what can only be described a “lazy sailing” e.g. Only sailing under Genoa due to its ease of use, and motoring out of certain channels until I am in open water before hoisting the sails.

Personally I just sail for enjoyment and the pleasure of everything involved with sailing.

 

[dunedin]

a large percentage of the racing fraternity only use their sails when racing. Even those who have a set for cruising refuse to use them and motor everywhere (unless racing of course).

So this might be the reason you have noticed many yachts motoring in your area.

Yes, many racing boats motor to / from events (typically filling the tank from jerrycans as don't want any fuel left when arrive ;-) - both to save the fancy sails and because they may have a small delivery crew.
However, very easy to spot due to the types of boat, lack of roller headsails and no stack-pack or fully mainsail