Poll: Making a boat more environmentally friendly

[Tim Good]

I know that sailing is not 100% environmentally friendly but it is possible to move in that direction using various means. I'm writing an article for a magazine on the subject and I speak to many people who have have moved towards a more environmentally friendly boat but many have different motivations. So in an effort to understand this movement I thought I could gather some data using a poll below:

*Disclaimer: I'm not claiming boating is green I'm merely understanding the drivers and movements which are driving the increasing use of solar / wind, use of alternatives to antifoul, moving away from gensets and so forth.

 

[RupertW]

It’s all of them for me but I had to admit it was the anchor one that came top.

As I fly out to my boat quite a few times a year in between work I can’t claim anything else I do on board will make a difference for climate change so I prioritise self sufficiency and keeping the bays clean and tidy.

 

[GHA]

Top 3. And one of the many benifits of living aboard. Plus shopping down in little markets with local produce and no packaging. Very satisfying when there's enough sun to use no fuel, not all the time but often. Life on the hook very satisfying as well, away from the consumerism (and tourists ) of marinas. Not that it will change much in the long run but life just seems a bit more authentic living a bit more in tune with the rest of life around you and being a little less involved with the destruction of the planet for short term profit.

 

[Pete7]

During our first holiday on the yacht 14 years ago I had to run the engine each morning to charge the batteries. The basic battery gauge just didn't tell me enough. A new battery monitor and solar followed in short order which we have added to over the years. We can now run a fridge and small freezer plus the slow cooker without worrying about the state of charge. Induction plates are interesting, but they are a huge draw on the batteries so haven't quite worked that problem out yet. However, using one calor gas bottle a year isn't a huge impact.

 

[Refueler]

Sorry but none seem to fit my view ...

I would like to be better environmentally - but its a question of balance.

 

[prv]

This poll seems to be focused on energy generation; as a coastal cruiser that’s not really an environmental issue for me. I have neither genset nor wind/solar, and don’t typically need to run the engine just for charging (it has happened, but rarely, probably less than once a season on average). I have a large battery bank for the size of boat, few large loads (an efficient fridge and the autopilot are probably the major ones), and can generally keep things topped up with motoring I’d be doing anyway and the occasional thorough charge on shore power in a marina.

Putting aside energy generation, I don’t really do anything on the boat with an eye to environmental impact - beyond the obvious like not chucking rubbish or oil/chemicals overboard. But the poll option of “just do what’s easiest/cheapest” doesn’t sit right with me either - I aim to do what’s best. But from a standpoint of usability, convenience, reliability, where relevant safety - not environment since it’s rarely a relevant factor in the decision to be made anyway. Short of opting for kapok lifebuoys instead of foam ones or something, anyway.

Pete