More Thoughts on Power or Sail

Readers chime in on topic

This idea of shifting from sailboats to power as we age has been a lively topic. Here are a few more thoughts sent our way. —Eds

Rick Pratt writes:

Perhaps I do not represent a significant segment of the boating world, but I found that I needed both sail and power. I have amassed well  over 20,000 hours of time afloat, on sail and power vessels. including a square rigged tall ship, and  I love them all 

l learned to navigate with a sextant and with GPS, and both are sophisticated and  wonderful instruments. We lived on an island, population 2, as lighthouse keepers for 24 years and power boats were a daily necessity. Everything came by boat..from a dozen eggs to a boat load of lumber, and sail would not have gotten the job done given the rush of modern time.

Make no mistake, powerboats require applied expert seamanship as much as sailboats, though of a different sort. I am an advocate for learning both, and there is equal reward to doing so.

But for pleasure, and certain kinds of unhurried voyaging,  a rowboat or sailboat is the ticket. That applies doubly in spades when you design and build it yourself. The slow stealthy progress of an oar or sail-driven craft, allows entry into a different world, where fish accompany you and waterfowl watch you pass quietly without flushing. In other applications, I am a strong believer in auxiliary power on sailboats  

Today’s harbors and docks are no longer designed with the wind in mind. And for maintaining electronics and lights, a generator driven by a small auxiliary is a fine thing when off soundings. So two different solutions for two different needs.  

But I gather from the question, that encroaching age and attendant loss of skills is a major issue involved in the elective change to power. There is no stopping time, and eventually, one and all should come ashore for good, whether your last voyage is done with sail or power. A skipper who is no longer competent is as bad on a power vessel as a sailboat.  

---

Reader Jim Worden wrote:

I couldn’t answer the poll. When I sold my Nonsuch 30, I still had my Crawford Melonseed and took over a friend’s 13’ Lyman outboard. Two small boats (both under 14’) one sail, one power is the answer for me.

And, I can take them all over from my base near the Great Lakes at the intersection of I-75 and the 80/90 Turnpike.

---

Reader Jim Kemp wrote:

This Redwing 30 was my real love and when it was time to move on I couldn't bring myself to a powerboat. That is when I turned to the sailing kayak, and it doesn't require much money and can be transported to any body of water. Not much for cruising, but I have my memories.

•SCA•