How much Time is spent Actually Sailing?

[BWB75]

Originally Posted by sailorboy1

Then your sail trim was poor or there was something wrong with your autopilot

It could have been a little of both...

[forsailbyowner]

[QUOTE=tomfl;1539285

For power generation solar is way out in front in bang for the buck. As an extra added attraction it is quiet and easy to maintain with no moving parts.[/QUOTE]

If I rely on solar or wind alone, eventually i have low batteries. The two compliment each other so nicely I always recommend both. When its stormy its not sunny, when high pressure prevails theres plenty of solar with no wind.

[sethpool]

Originally Posted by boat_alexandra

We already know most people rarely sail. I have seen 20 cruisers in the last 3 months, and only 2 were using their sails. I'm 99.9% sail and .1% sculling oar.

What I want to know is how much time when you are on CF are you also sailing? Currently I am close reaching at 4 knots in 7 knots of wind.

[Steve1944]

Originally Posted by cricket7045

Hi all, just looking for some guidance and estimated opinions on how much time is spent actually sailing a sailboat without the motor and with the motor. We are trying to determine how much real sail time we will be doing. Just trying to get a realistic picture before we proceed. Any insight would be helpful.
Thanks,
Sharon

Here's the insight: The average speed traveling on a sailboat is 5.5 knots or ten miles an hour.


Walking speed is three miles an hour.


Now, imagine speed walking around the world.


Voila!

[Pelagic]

Yes but can you speed walk 80 miles a day in your sleep?

I have no problem taking a slow boat to China

[Jim Cate]

Here's the insight: The average speed traveling on a sailboat is 5.5 knots or ten miles an hour.

Might redo that conversion, for I reckon that 5.5 knots is about 6.3 MPH,not ten.

And I wonder where you got that 5.5 knot figure anyway? We average a bit more than that...

Jim

[Steve1944]

How fast do you average?

[Steve1944]

No. I can't walk 80 miles! Are you kidding?


BTW Do you one hand that 65 foot Star Gazer?

[Ex-Calif]

Originally Posted by Pelagic

Yes but can you speed walk 80 miles a day in your sleep?

I have no problem taking a slow boat to China

I tried but it was too difficult carrying the anchor and all...

[Oceanbrew]

I just bought my boat a few months ago. I sail about two times a week. I live on it, but will be in a house nearby soon. The marina I am in has only about 3-4 boats that leave the dock regularly if at all, and I am one of them. Most are liveaboards and the marina is almost full. It's more of a 'Sailor' park than anything else.
Because I still work if I want to get somewhere I motorsail, but otherwise I go out to sail only. Once past bridges, etc., sails only.

[JazzyO]

Originally Posted by JazzyO

But if the device turns out to be crap, you will hear it from me. No need to be so cynical.


Onno

Just a little report on the Watt&Sea so far. It's been a disappointing buy, it has to be said. First of all it took many engineers to tell me if the thing was working or not. Turns out that the charger unit will only charge if the voltage drops below 12.8 volts, which in my case happens rarely. In any case that means that it can't charge my batteries to full condition, only to about 70%.

We can live with that, however. The main problem is that this device's lifting system has been designed by an imbecile. It is utterly impossible to raise or lower the device whilst sailing, unless I go and climb out on the transom. This is because you have to pull the line vertically, you cannot pull it at an angle. What makes it worse is that the device pivots when you pull the line. Clearly whoever thought this up never has seen a raked transom and he/she thought all sailors can stand directly above the device when lowering or raising it. But even so, the cleat that is supposed to hold the line and thus keep the device down against the force of the water is woefully inadequate and fails to hold it either up or down (hence the yellow line in the picture that we use to prevent it falling down). We have already tried using a thicker line but so far we have had no success. Begs the question how the Vendee Globe boys do this with water pressures at 3 times the speed I am doing.

I'm sure the device works well for some people but for me it is utterly useless until I engineer a mechanical solution for lowering and raising it. So far, it has been €6000 euro (including installation) down the drain.

See, I told you that if it was crap I would relate my experience.


Onno