How long before your bored on a motor boat?

[Elessar]

*engine noise and vibration in the background



*even louder engine noise and vibration



*Agreed, peace at last.



Best thing about sailing is when the engine is turned off.

I get the bit about turning the engine off. I'm a sailor too remember. I used to race once or twice a week 52 weeks a year. I love sailing.

I bought a motorboat in 2002, first time I'd really been on one. And I love that too. At 6 knots all you can hear is water swooshing not engines.

I also don't care if you don't get it. It's a good job we're not all the same.

And the hobbies are 80% the same. The sail bit is hardly rocket science and most cruisers only sail half the time anyway. And my mobo is rather nicer under engine than most yachts.

 

[Greenheart]

The motorhome comparison bears repeating. Even though I know it isn't kind, and actually I don't enjoy being objectionable.

If a motorhome could float, and be driven through the water, and wasn't designed by Richard Hammond...

...it would be a motor-cruiser.

That is all that a motor-cruiser represents, as a design-accomplishment: a caravan which floats and self-propels in water.

The uplifting thing about good sailboat design (I'm not saying it's all good) is the art of the chap who drew the plans...

...he decides how pointy the bow should be, for a reason; how broad the stern should be, how the weight should be distributed, all in order to advance the hull's response to varying angles and levels of thrust on the rig above, and lateral resistance to the keel below...

...to me, there's a subtle but profound beauty in the fine geometry of that complex, infinitely variable calculation, around which very habitable accommodation is then arranged, without compromising sailing performance, and without seriously restricting comfort and space.

Now: compare that subtle, silent, sophisticated manipulation of naturally occuring forces, with the motor-cruiser...

...which, if we are honest, replaces subtlety with oily grunt. An engine in a box, given a pointy end to ease it through the water.

I reckon that's the point which motor-boaters don't/can't/won't appreciate; sailing is a thrilling exercise in subtle cleverness...

...but rather than share that very pleasant mental & physical challenge, they've chosen a waterproof Winnebago.

 

[[2068]]

The uplifting thing about good motorboat design (I'm not saying it's all good) is the art of the chap who drew the plans...

...he decides how pointy the bow should be, for a reason; how broad the stern should be, how the weight should be distributed, all in order to advance the hull's response to varying angles of outdrives / trim tabs, levels of thrust from the engines, loading of passengers / fuel / water, and the effect of sprayrails and chine flats on planing perfomance.

...to me, there's a subtle but profound beauty in the fine geometry of that complex, infinitely variable calculation, around which very habitable accommodation is then arranged, without compromising planing performance, and without seriously restricting comfort and space.

(I'd have been less inclined to dismiss the previous post as "the one post containing the most rubbish and disinformation that I have ever read in several years", if it were not for the vastly different performance charactertistics of motorboat hulls. The very worst might fall into the Winnebego category. All the others do not.)


.

 

[Greenheart]

Plagiarism!

But you know very well, how slightly the mobo-designer's calculations affect whether the motor-cruiser runs at 15/20/25 knots...

...ultimately, the finished vessel is a dent in the water, only made mobile by thrust from big, noisy, thirsty motors...

...you can tweak trim-tabs and spray-rails, but the effective appeal of the finished hull is only defined by use of diesel power.

That's intrinsically unsophisticated.

Solo sailing man hoists sail and steers 15 tonnes of sloop across the Channel in ten hours, using natural forces, captured by his own (and the yacht-designer's) intelligence. Motor-cruiser-man burns oil and churns water for motivation...it's the Homer Simpson choice.

 

[[2068]]

There is much sophistication that goes into a Motor Boat at the design stage. Common Rail fuel systems, pumps, cooling systems, turbo chargers, super chargers, all trying to eke out as much power as possible from a given amount of oily liquid.

Then there is "maintenance". Several people on this forum maintain their own engines (with a little help from the professionals, when their skills run dry). A motorboat cannot hoist sail when the engine fails, so is entirely dependant on the green lumps for propulsion. A good motorboater knows his engines inside out, and carries enough spares to be able to fix common faults.

Finally there is the helming side of things. Yes, there will be the helmsman that turns the key, applies lots of throttle and aims roughly for where the Isle of Wight used to be. But for most there is sophistication in using the machinery to best advantage.

If I were to concede a point, it would be that a sailing boat on a reach in a F5-6 is very good at harnessing the forces of nature and turning it into effective motion in a way that a motorboat can never do. But tacking directly upwind against a foul tide? Why have the sails been dropped? What's that noise, Oh it's the engine

 

[Elessar]

The motorhome comparison bears repeating. Even though I know it isn't kind, and actually I don't enjoy being objectionable.

If a motorhome could float, and be driven through the water, and wasn't designed by Richard Hammond...

...it would be a motor-cruiser.

That is all that a motor-cruiser represents, as a design-accomplishment: a caravan which floats and self-propels in water.

The uplifting thing about good sailboat design (I'm not saying it's all good) is the art of the chap who drew the plans...

...he decides how pointy the bow should be, for a reason; how broad the stern should be, how the weight should be distributed, all in order to advance the hull's response to varying angles and levels of thrust on the rig above, and lateral resistance to the keel below...

...to me, there's a subtle but profound beauty in the fine geometry of that complex, infinitely variable calculation, around which very habitable accommodation is then arranged, without compromising sailing performance, and without seriously restricting comfort and space.

Now: compare that subtle, silent, sophisticated manipulation of naturally occuring forces, with the motor-cruiser...

...which, if we are honest, replaces subtlety with oily grunt. An engine in a box, given a pointy end to ease it through the water.

I reckon that's the point which motor-boaters don't/can't/won't appreciate; sailing is a thrilling exercise in subtle cleverness...

...but rather than share that very pleasant mental & physical challenge, they've chosen a waterproof Winnebago.

I do appreciate sailing. And I'm afraid you just don't know what you're talking about.

 

[Greenheart]

A good motorboater knows his engines inside out, and carries enough spares to be able to fix common faults.

That's a fair point, well made. I actually like the African Queen idea of getting to know one's engine intimately, foibles and strengths, how to cope with its eccentricities and how best to benefit overall. And I don't deny that most sailing folk rely on an engine too...

...because, when wind and tide put the safety of a vessel in serious peril, any means of motivation is better than none.

But the cleverness I refer to - for instance, by which a vessel can zig-zag progressively upwind against the very source of thrust which it is using - that, by my reckoning, by virtue of its simplicity, is cleverer than the highest efficiency internal combustion can boast about.

But we may be trampling on the point, and overlooking it...

...if you buy a motor boat, designed and built to cover distances in minimum time, your reasons for purchase won't be the same as those of the sailing man, whose choice of boat indicates his relish for every nuance, willingness and limitation of his rig and hull under sail.

Sailing is necessarily a subtle interaction between the skipper, the wind and the water, manipulated using keel, helm & sails.

Careful helming aboard a motorboat may certainly save fuel and ease passenger comfort, but come what may, regardless of who's driving, the motor-boat will plough its way home. So you can surely see why sailing men tend to believe their diesel brethren lack finesse?

 

[Nostrodamus]

I have to stick up for MOBO's a little here.
A designers design of a sailboat or mobo is not often the best for going through the water. They design something that will sell and often there is very big compromises.
Look at some of the huge cockpits and aft cabins on sailing boats. They are not designed with safety in mind but to sell the boat.
A Mobo is the same. They want luxury and creature comforts in as little space as possible. When I compare a Mobo of the same size to our boat they have got space everywhere. Some people want this and the ability to get from A to B as quickly as possible so if a Mobo design is selling thy have got it right.
When we have no wind I have a choice in my sailboat. I stay and wait for the wind hoping it is not on the nose or I turn the engine on. A sailboat is not that much fun after six hours at 5 or so knots when the same view is there for a couple of hours.
When the wind is there then it becomes a different beast, a thing of beauty that you can tweak and play with trying to get the best from the wind and the boat. To know that the wind alone is driving you to your destination.
It is horses for courses and I wonder how much influence SWMBO has on the decision on what to buy. In most cases she would probably go for space, comfort and getting there fast rather than standing watch in an open cockpit, pulling lines in pouring rain.

 

[gjgm]

So, someone gives you a nice big motor boat and as much fuel as you can use. You have all the creature comforts including tv, washing machine, wi fi, plush interior, large spacious bedrooms and lots of horse power. Everything you need is aboard including a well stocked drinks cabinet.

How long would it take before you got bored and hankered to be back on your sail boat?

It seems the way of modern boat design...sail isnt immune. More space,flashy fittings,lots of wood,expensive internal design. Ok a very large flybridge might have w/machine etc, but the big sailing boats have a drinks cabinet?
I am somewhat with you as regards the enjoyment of these mobo floating apartments, but each to his own.
As regards a general comment on sail vs power, then the advantage of power is of course the greater freedom from tidal flows and wind direction. Ok, mobo isnt much fun at F5, but with the speed, you dont need such along weather window. From Solent, CIs is 3 hours or so, Salcome in a morning...you might not think the passage is as rewarding, but you are able to get to more places given the time-assuming that you arent retired

 

[bbg]

The motorhome comparison bears repeating. Even though I know it isn't kind, and actually I don't enjoy being objectionable.

for someone who doesn't enjoy being objectionable, you manage to achieve it remarkably often.

To the OP. I think there is something a bit condescending in the question. Most people who choose one activity do so because they find it enjoyable. More enjoyable than other activities. So presumably they are more likely to get bored with other activities.

I am a sailor by background and preference. However, I can also appreciate the ability to go out, get to a nice anchorage quickly and home for dinner. I know someone who has a lovely 50 foot plus speedy thing that I go out on occasionally. We blast up the coast for an hour or two, do a couple of dives. Or pop over to Sicily from Corsica for the afternoon. Or find a little cove on the Cote d'Azur for some swimming and sunning. Very nice to do it a few times a year, but not something I'd want to do every weekend.l

He doesn't understand my kind of sailing, and I would never buy the kind of boat he has, even if I could afford it. I suspect most forumites who claim to love sailing wouldn't enjoy the kind of sailing I do, either.

But I can understand that we all like different things, and I find the condescending tone of some on here a bit disappointing. It's one thing to say "not for me", but slightly offensive to suggest that others are somehow inferior if they do prefer moboing.

 

[bbg]

Anybody who claims to be 'bored' at sea does not deserve to be there. A disaster waiting to happen. IMO.

I managed to be bored for hours at time, day after day. I guess I didn't deserve to be out there. Fortunately, I'm still waiting for the disaster to happen.

 

[chinita]

You don't strike me as the sort of person who is easily 'bored' - in the adolescent, Kevin, type of way. Anybody admitting to being 'bored' at sea has yet to experience the sea biting them in the arse. IMO, whining about boredom is a symptom of complacency, relaxing the guard, not working out the 'what ifs' at sea. If someone has the natural ability to do it all and still be 'bored' then fine.

 

[colingr]

How long does it take you throttle-happy types to get bored, aboard a sailing boat?

(D'you think any of them have ever tried it? )

Wouldn't happen, I like both. I just love being out on the water.

Not keen on dinghy sailing, tried it but not for me.

 

[ricky_s]

Not keen on dinghy sailing, tried it but not for me.

Now that is something that looks really pointless to me!

 

[ChattingLil]

I thought I was going to lose HWMO and no.1 Step Son when D3B of this forum took us out on his lovely mobo. Very pretty and fast and exciting. HWMO and SS were thrilled by the speed and the concord shaped wake. The interior was flush and comfy and it was all round very very cool.

But after 20 mins even they said - "what do we do now for the rest of the trip?"

As HWMO said: it might be boring after the first half hour, but at least the trip only takes half hour!!

 

[Greenheart]

Now that (DINGHY SAILING) is something that looks really pointless to me!

Don't forget it's the only serious boating available, at the financial bottom-end.

Personally I think dinghy-racing is dull, if it's just going round marks which are within sight from the launching point...but on a small lake, what else is there? At sea, modest (and not-so-modest) passage-making is possible in dinghies. And the crews don't rely on engines!!!

Sorry.

 

[Slow_boat]

I waqs once a rib instructor and it was great fun. If it weren't for the teaching, though, I'd get bored after an hour of jumping waves, tight turns and general pratting about.

Horses for courses, though. I once had a chap who was happy on a sailing boat in the overcrowded Lake Solent but as soon as we were in clear water on course for Weymouth got bored.

I've been bored blue water sailing. You could only take so many books!

 

[ricky_s]

Don't forget it's the only serious boating available, at the financial bottom-end.

Personally I think dinghy-racing is dull, if it's just going round marks which are within sight from the launching point...but on a small lake, what else is there? At sea, modest (and not-so-modest) passage-making is possible in dinghies. And the crews don't rely on engines!!!

Sorry.

No need to be sorry, all horses for courses.

 

[Daydream believer]

Now that is something that looks really pointless to me!

As a cruiser sailor I still love a good race with the other members of my sailing club in my Phantom dinghy or a sail in my squib or a blast on my sailboards
It is all about the love of getting sails & boat to work really well. It is satisfying to know that my skills are better than someone else plus it is a great feeling when it all goes right
This applies to anything from dinghy sailing to manouvering a cruiser into a marina perfectly or sailing efficiently from port to port. From that point of view it does not matter whether it is a motor boat or a sailing boat it is the knowledge that one has the skills to do it right & that makes it all the more enjoyable especially so the more difficult the challenge. Perhaps some find a motorboat less challenging so pour scorn on those that have one.Some find a motorboat more relaxing & if that suits them then so beit. They are entitled to do as they wish so long as it does not offend others

 

[Greenheart]

Perhaps some find a motorboat less challenging so pour scorn on those that have one.Some find a motorboat more relaxing & if that suits them then so beit. They are entitled to do as they wish so long as it does not offend others

That's all very true; but, the OP wondered how soon sailors are bored by motor boats (which, I maintain, don't require the distinct attentiveness and active response to wind & wave which sailboats do - hence as you say, mobos can be more relaxing)...

...and it seemed reasonable to analyse just WHY sailboats don't invariably appeal to motorboatists, nor mobos to sailors.

The ease of using a motor cruiser quickly bores the sailor, while the relatively slow and ineffectual yet serious labour & careful consideration of sailing situations, irritates motorboaters, most of whom seem only to want to get there, A.S.A.P.

Possibly it's equivalent to car-transmission?

Personally I cannot see the point, nor any enjoyment, in having three pedals in the driver's footwell. I learned in a manual and drove many for years, but now, I'll only ever drive an automatic as long as I have a choice...

...I don't see any pleasure or necessity to judge ratios and engine-speed and make decisions accordingly; I'm happy pushing the accelerator and letting the autobox do that...

...maybe that's the way motorboatists see a journey at sea? No need to treat it as a challenge, just open the throttle and get there. Except, at sea unlike on the road, I enjoy that challenge, however slowly I go!