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pressuredrop · 03-11-2010, 14:20

i am more and more realizing that if im going to get out there indefinetely then the engine has to go, i am of the skill and the mindset to make a go of it and i cant wait...

i realize that there are many atolls that may be off limits, but surly there are some where the reef pass runs perpendicular to the prevailing trades, allowing a beam reach in and out... which ones might these be!?

MarkJ · 03-11-2010, 14:46

Great Barrier Reef, Australia

**atoll** · 03-11-2010, 14:55

get your tides right,as long as the trades arent blowing full speed and you will get sucked in after low water,though have a friend who sails an engine less catamaran who all ways puts on his gum boots when going through passes,so if he cant make the tack jumps off and pushes the bow round off the coral !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

suvarov in the cook islands and suva fiji,and a few in the tuamotos,chagos,funafuti tuvalu are a few that come to mind.

though best to stick to the old square rigger adage;
"if you cant sail out of it,dont sail into it"
happy sailings

imagine2frolic · 03-11-2010, 14:59

Nice thoughts, and very romantic. Even the Pardeys who have tons of experience eventually went with a motor. Nobody says you have to turn it on every single time.

As a kid my dad always made me take along a coat of some sort. I would complain it's not cold. His answer was simple. You can always put it on if needed. You can't if it's not there.........i2f

pressuredrop · 03-11-2010, 15:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by imagine2frolic

Nice thoughts, and very romantic. Even the Pardeys who have tons of experience eventually went with a motor. Nobody says you have to turn it on every single time.

where did you read this? i think they have one but it is a 2 or 3hp for the dink, not going to do much on 18,000lb talesin...

imagine2frolic · 03-11-2010, 15:22

I have tried for 20 minutes to come up with your answer, and can't find a thing. I may be wrong, and it won't be the first time. I am sure someone will come along, and correct me, or give the answer I thought to be the truth. Even still I stand by the heart of my response. BEST WISHES no matter which way you decide to sail.........i2f

pressuredrop · 03-11-2010, 15:31

dont know if ill try this one but an inspirational bit of sailing non the less

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxEP514_598

ozskipper · 03-11-2010, 16:34

Why not an outboard? For getting in and out only. The reasons atolls have that Cresent shape ( as a general rule) is due to the prevailing trades creating a wave action that forms the shape. Where you may be ok is getting into volcanic bays etc that arent shaped by wind/waves etc.

Dame.n.Jess · 03-11-2010, 17:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by imagine2frolic

I have tried for 20 minutes to come up with your answer, and can't find a thing. I may be wrong, and it won't be the first time. I am sure someone will come along, and correct me, or give the answer I thought to be the truth. Even still I stand by the heart of my response. BEST WISHES no matter which way you decide to sail.........i2f

What a stunning reply! its really amazing when someone can just accept they may be right or wrong without them needing to defend that point of view either way. Beautiful communication, we need more contributions to humanity like this.

olaf hart · 03-11-2010, 18:15

The Pardeys are true to form, still engineless, though they spend more time ashore these days.

You could always ask them

Sailing Blog | Nautical Book Authors | Lin & Larry Pardey

Sabbatical II · 03-11-2010, 18:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by pressuredrop

i am more and more realizing that if im going to get out there indefinetely then the engine has to go, i am of the skill and the mindset to make a go of it and i cant wait...

I would however, first try to perfect the skill of quickly getting out of the way of a fast moving freighter when there is no wind to drive the boat. This would concern me more than a few bumps and scrapes in close manourvers.

Greg

**Jim Cate** · 03-11-2010, 18:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by olaf hart

The Pardeys are true to form, still engineless, though they spend more time ashore these days.

You could always ask them

Sailing Blog | Nautical Book Authors | Lin & Larry Pardey

Did you ever notice in the Pardey's books how many times they accepted tows from their fellow sailors who did have motors?

Frankly, while the notion of engineless cruising has its romantic appeal, the realities that we've experienced suggest that not having a means of propelling your boat other than sailing will at the very least limit your prospects considerably. It may cost you your boat, too... consider the consequences of being dismasted, or having the required sails blown out, or halyards failing, or any of the many rigging failures that would keep even a skilled sailor from sailing to windward (or at all). These not so uncommon events, should they occur whilst on a lee shore or negotiating a difficult pass, would surely lead to disaster.

In our ever more regulated world there are increasing numbers of harbours that specifically forbid sailing into or within their limits. You might try to avoid them, but what if it is the port of entry? We try to avoid marinas, but occasionally (as today) when we want to make use of one. Very few are laid out so that sailing any substantial vessel in or out is feasible

For the OP, you say that "the engine must go" if you are to go cruising... I say why?

Enough ranting... cheers to all

Jim and Ann s/v Insatiable II lying Gladstone, Qld, Oz

SimonV · 03-11-2010, 19:23

I admire those that can go engineless on their own volition. But I have been in the doldrums and after 24 hours drifting 30 miles back the way I came in 40+ deg heat, I was glad to be able to bite the bullet and use the engine. There are marinas that will not let you use their facilities unless you’re under power. There are some great places to visit and a lot require some serious manoeuvrings, I for one could not do it, and I don’t think I am alone. I might hate the engine at times but there has been times having the engine start when you really need it....it’s nearly better than sex. Then there are those that don’t have an engine but have gotten a name for relying on others to tow them into an anchorage.