Engines in sailing yachts - auxiliary?

[Poignard]

In another thread someone posted:

"Must be a long time since yacht engines were considered "auxiliary"!"

What do others think about that? True/false?

I always think of my engine as an auxiliary. My boat is primarily a sailing yacht and its small engine is a great convenience and a time-saver, and without it I would have problems getting in and out of marinas but if conditions are no good for sailing, and I don't have a pressing need to be somewhere else, I would most likely stay where I was. Unless there is some interesting scenery to look at, motoring is boring and a cross-channel passage in a flat calm always seems to take longer than one made under sail.

 

[mikeinkwazi]

In another thread someone posted:

"Must be a long time since yacht engines were considered "auxiliary"!"

What do others think about that? True/false?

I always think of my engine as an auxiliary. My boat is primarily a sailing yacht and its small engine is a great convenience and a time-saver, and without it I would have problems getting in and out of marinas but if conditions are no good for sailing, and I don't have a pressing need to be somewhere else, I would most likely stay where I was. Unless there is some interesting scenery to look at, motoring is boring and a cross-channel passage in a flat calm always seems to take longer than one made under sail.

Agreed! When I get too old to sail (only 72 just now) I'll get a mobo

 

[ChrisE]

Well, I believe the answer to this depends upon how you view your craft.

Personally, I've always viewed ours as a method of getting somewhere and as such have no problems with using an engine if conditions dictate that we'll get there at a reasonable time.

I enjoy sailing when the conditions make it enjoyable but at the end of the day I enjoy my destination more than how I got there.

 

[chrisedwards]

Well, I believe the answer to this depends upon how you view your craft.

Personally, I've always viewed ours as a method of getting somewhere and as such have no problems with using an engine if conditions dictate that we'll get there at a reasonable time.

I enjoy sailing when the conditions make it enjoyable but at the end of the day I enjoy my destination more than how I got there.

I'm with Parsifal on this one - if I want to get somewhere I'll use a car/ferry.The joy and satisfaction of not using an engine is the sailing game as far as I am concerned. Every situation/day presents a different challenge. Honing the boat to be totally manageable in most situations is a challenge etc.-but the game. of course, may be different for other people.

 

[npf1]

IIRC, if one uses the 'traditional' definition, most sailing yachts prodcued today are actually 'motor sailers'. Just goes to show that the definition has crept over time.

 

[fireball]

Well, I believe the answer to this depends upon how you view your craft.

Personally, I've always viewed ours as a method of getting somewhere and as such have no problems with using an engine if conditions dictate that we'll get there at a reasonable time.

I enjoy sailing when the conditions make it enjoyable but at the end of the day I enjoy my destination more than how I got there.

Like you, I'll use the engine to get somewhere - including X channel if required - as for the 'enjoyment' part - I enjoy some blummin good sails - but if that's not going to be possible then I have no quarms in using the motor to enjoy the destination ...
Auxiliary or secondary propulsion - the engine is important - I'd rather not be without it - but it is not (usually) vital to the safe navigation of the vessel - even if I don't end up where I intend!

 

[xyachtdave]

Agreed! When I get too old to sail (only 72 just now) I'll get a mobo

I think you must be referring to a 'gentleman's motor cruiser' not a mobo...

 

[Wansworth]

Having cruised without an engine I consider that its more enjoyable and less stress ful with one.Entering a bstrange rock bound harbour in the dark under sail is a worry and on many occassions I missed entering a harbour thru lack of wind or narrow entrance.

 

[ChrisE]

I'm with Parsifal on this one - if I want to get somewhere I'll use a car/ferry.The joy and satisfaction of not using an engine is the sailing game as far as I am concerned. Every situation/day presents a different challenge. Honing the boat to be totally manageable in most situations is a challenge etc.-but the game. of course, may be different for other people.

But if you go on ferry you don't have your floating home with you!

Perhaps I should have been clearer re this aspect of getting to the destination then exploring the area via the yot.

 

[alant]

In another thread someone posted:

"Must be a long time since yacht engines were considered "auxiliary"!"

What do others think about that? True/false?

I always think of my engine as an auxiliary. My boat is primarily a sailing yacht and its small engine is a great convenience and a time-saver, and without it I would have problems getting in and out of marinas but if conditions are no good for sailing, and I don't have a pressing need to be somewhere else, I would most likely stay where I was. Unless there is some interesting scenery to look at, motoring is boring and a cross-channel passage in a flat calm always seems to take longer than one made under sail.

Why, if an auxiliary, do the RNLI launch 'rescues', with seemingly great regularity & tow in sailing yachts with perfectly good rigs/sails, unless their owners rely so heavily on their engines?

& from 'The hitch hikers guide to the sea', do Sea Start exist.

 

[fireball]

Why, if an auxiliary, do the RNLI launch 'rescues', with seemingly great regularity & tow in sailing yachts with perfectly good rigs/sails, unless their owners rely so heavily on their engines?

& from 'The hitch hikers guide to the sea', do Sea Start exist.

Because that seems to be the default position of the cg in this area. I say seems to be because we obviously don't hear about those that don't call.

Whilst in certain circumstances it can be advisable to use the engine there is little stopping you from sailing wherever you want. Just most don't.

 

[Coaster]

Well, I believe the answer to this depends upon how you view your craft...

Absolutely right.

There are too many people here trying to tell others how to use their boats.

 

[chubby]

My boat is a fully fledged motorsailor, I just enjoy being afloat and getting places, I am very happy to sail when the wind is fair but equeally cant see the point in wallowing around going nowhere fast, this weekend came back from Keyhaven to Portsmouth in record time, 9 knots SOG by using the engine and working the tides then home in time to do something else in the afternoon, using the engine just makes best use of my time. If I had sailed I would have failed to carry the tide all the way up the solent.

 

[Poignard]

Absolutely right.

There are too many people here trying to tell others how to use their boats.

All I can see is a few people telling what they do and why they do it.

Where has anyone told anyone else how to use his boat?