Power vs Sail, is it just about the money?

I've been both. I've just sold my motor boat after 4 years of regret ever selling my sailing boat. These are just two completely different worlds.
Sailing is about the skill, the kick and the joy of manipulating the techniques just to squeeze the last 10th of a knot out of it...Or, just about the slow pace - why not? Motor boats are a car on the water: it's the destination and the fact that (without engine trouble, which I had a lot...) you get where ever you want to get, more or less within a predicted time. Motor boats have much higher running costs, unless yours is - lucky you -troublefree (most aren't..) No, I enjoy being on a motor boat for the luxury, the space and the fact that you normally have a nice view around. Maybe because we sometimes pulled a wakeboarder. However, I never got used to the feeling I was just driving a car-on-water and waisting energy at a lousy 30-35% overall efficiency... My next sailing yacht is being built right now. I hardly can't wait to set the main !
 
I spend half my time on a mobo, looking at the perfect breeze, and wishing I was on a yacht. I spend half my time on a yacht, squinting through the rain, bashing to windward, wishing I was in a mobo wheelhouse, with auto, telly, kettle, just to hand.

But the best bit of any day on the water, is when the engine goes off, and one is left with silence. On a mobo, this means the days work is done, but on a yacht, it means the adventure is just beginning.

I think the whole 'bitter dispute' does not exist, all of us have the ability to be unknowingly selfish, or ignorant, and all of us has the potential to be friendly and helpful. We are just more aware of the foibles of mobo drivers, as they tend to accompany the entertainment with a symphony of noisy engines. In the same way as often selfish cyclist or equestrian behaviour is let slide, or forgiven, as the activity is clean and healthy, where as a motorcycle gang cruising the streets attract notice, and comment, no matter how innocent and courteous the riders.

I think the cost aspect of fuel is not a factor in the decision to own a mobo over a ragger, as most of us stick our heads in the sand when considering the real cost per hour to play. It will have a bigger affect on patterns of use, IMHO, than on ownership.

For me, I prefer to travel hopefully on yachts, but to enjoy the comfort at my destination on a mobo.
 
Halcyon Yachts said:
I So my question is whether or not this is the fundamental difference? Sailors, no matter how rich, are above all (like me) skin flints. The appeal of being on the water and harnessing the natural power is nothing to do with peace and tranquility, but just the feeling of getting something for nothing?!? Power boaters on the other hand have less concern about financial extravagance and are happy to enjoy their hobby without looking at the figures too closely…

Is it that we sailors are just too tight to be drawn to the dark side?

Pete
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" is nothing to do with peace and tranquility,".... In my book this is one of the paramount reasons why I sail and

because it stretches me out of a comfort zone which I abhore.... being on a motor boat!
 
Not for me the rorty-snorty styled-by-Adidas type of mobo, but I do find this idea quite appealing as an inshore potterer...

8716851189_6146a71f8c_z.jpg


http://www.cornishcrabbers.co.uk/index.cfm/boat/Clam.Clam19Wheelhouse
 
Sailing people are sailors, stink potters are stink pots. (not biased) It's not all about the money. Surely if it was people who have 20 million dollar sailing yachts would run with a stinker
 
Halcyon Yachts said:
I have just got back from two quite short deliveries; the first was on board a sailing boat, a Jeanneau 40 DS, going from Lowestoft to Brighton.


The second was on board a powerboat, a Beneteau GT44, going from Rochester to Hamble (I have posted the video of that one on the Motor Boat Forum if you are interested).

It crossed my mind during the second trip that one of the biggest differences is to do with cost, and therefore perhaps it is this fundamental issue that creates the divide and results in hatred for powerboats. I am making an assumption here (based on observation) that most yachties dislike power, yet power-boaters often admire yachts.

I am and always have been a sailor first and foremost. Through my job I have also been involved with many powerboats. Both trips were text book in the sense that we had following winds of around 15kts the whole way to Brighton, and then completely calm and flat conditions for the GT44 going to Hamble. Although tiring, both trips were very enjoyable. I hate to admit it though that Skippering the GT44 was perhaps my preferred trip… Having said that, I just don’t think I could ever own a boat like the GT44 simply because of the running costs. Even if I were to win the lottery I think I would find it so painful to see the ongoing fuel bills that the enjoyment would be taken away (at a conservative cruising speed of 20 kts we were burning 80 lts an hour). So my question is whether or not this is the fundamental difference? Sailors, no matter how rich, are above all (like me) skin flints. The appeal of being on the water and harnessing the natural power is nothing to do with peace and tranquility, but just the feeling of getting something for nothing?!? Power boaters on the other hand have less concern about financial extravagance and are happy to enjoy their hobby without looking at the figures too closely…

Is it that we sailors are just too tight to be drawn to the dark side?

Pete
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Sorry but you're talking bolax. Last boat was a 60ft mobo. New(ish) boat is a 65ft sailboat. Running costs? Very similar. But as a taxi driver guess you wouldn't appreciate that one. :confused:
 
At 20 knots I’d say you were in quite a hurry with a heavy foot.
I don’t think it’s down to money. If any of us were wise and concerned about the cost we would not own any boats. People I know with the different type have them for their own reasons. Ease of use. Lack of understanding and a perception sailing is difficult or too strenuous. The desire for comfort and space. The boat is often a seaside cottage which can move. We get the one we find most affordable for our particular taste.
I own both a mobo and a sail boat. My mobo is small and will quite easily do 20 plus knots. Its purpose is fishing for which it is well equipped with sounders and down riggers rod holders and 2 seats.
My sailboat is for cruising, just to be out on the water, like others I take down the sail and become a stick boat motoring along at 5 knots. I will often be towing my fishing boat.
I have nothing against mobo’s though I do think some of the operators can be inconsiderate jerks so can some sailors. Not the boats fault they are probably jerks without the boat.
I enjoy being out on the water, Mobo or sail. I have enjoyed many a cruise on a mobo. Mostly hefty displacement hulls doing only about 8 knots.
 
I like using wind as power, the mastery of it is the thing that gets me out on the water. I started my current job 2 years ago, and for the first time since I started working, had a respectable amount of free time (Four on Four off). I went and tried out loads of different things, but learnt that I get the greatest thrills from vehicles without motors. I kitesurf, mountainboard, canoe, sail and have just had my third paragliding lesson. I don't dislike motors, they just don't give me a big enough buzz. Even my motorbike feels tame after rolling down a hill on a plank of wood, with no brakes. Going out on a mobo is a lovely activity, but it never grabbed me as a hobby.
 
Manuel_Hung said:
Even my motorbike feels tame after rolling down a hill on a plank of wood, with no brakes. Going out on a mobo is a lovely activity, but it never grabbed me as a hobby.
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Try motocross ('scrambles' as we used to call it) .......

if that doesn't get all your juices running then you'r really not worth saving! ..... ;)
 
Scotty_Tradewind said:
Try motocross ('scrambles' as we used to call it) .......

if that doesn't get all your juices running then you'r really not worth saving! ..... ;)
Click to expand...

You, sir, are absolutely correct. I need to give that a go. I didn't enjoy track racing that much, so didn't even consider a bit of off road. Know any good places? I live in the Chilterns.
 
Scotty_Tradewind said:
Hi Manuel

I joined a club many years ago and that gave me the inroads to learn, buy a basic bike to get started and enjoy the biggest buzz iv'e ever had.
Beats sailing across Biscay in a F9 and all over in a matter of minutes! :)
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I've got a DT125 in the back of the garden that doesn't need a lot doing. It would be nice to get the motorcycle buzz back. 15 years of road riding, every day, killed it for me. I haven't jumped on a bike in over a year :(
 
What I've noticed on our travels is that sailing boats often venture a long way from home, whereas mobos tend not to travel very far. Maybe cost is the reason.
 
Cost and fuel tank size!

A sailing boat can go all the way around the world non-stop, a motor boat can't (I'm pretty sure that's never been done, could be wrong).
 
I was out on the Crouch last weekend, as was everyone else as it was a beautiful weekend. I saw the idiots in mobos, but I also saw exemplary seamanship from other mobos (reading the traffic well, slowing down to reduce wash where appropriate). I saw one mobo skipper admonished for causing too much wash... by another mobo skipper. And I also saw some poor seamanship from a couple of yotties.

Basically this whole mobo v. yottie thing is a false construct. Yes, I don't care for the wash that they create sometimes, but that's just life.
 
Supine Being said:
I was out on the Crouch last weekend, as was everyone else as it was a beautiful weekend. I saw the idiots in mobos, but I also saw exemplary seamanship from other mobos (reading the traffic well, slowing down to reduce wash where appropriate). I saw one mobo skipper admonished for causing too much wash... by another mobo skipper. And I also saw some poor seamanship from a couple of yotties.

Basically this whole mobo v. yottie thing is a false construct. Yes, I don't care for the wash that they create sometimes, but that's just life.
Click to expand...

At high tide, I was sat in the Crouch at Bridgemarsh moored up looking out over Canewdon, but I saw the ruddy great Squadron that made huge wash in the narrow part of the river. Why didn't he just go to the Holiwell Point end and then open it up whilst trimmed really badly?
In the same view were several well trimmed powerboats that, although on the plane, made little wash at all.
No matter, it's all over pretty quickly anyway.
 
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