Motorsailor

[James S]

When the wind drops below 7 or 8 knots...my boats a motor sailor.
I'm thinking an older full keel boat may be a good place to start.

[Finlandia57]

I own Finlandia, a 1983 NC36 (36') Nauticat pilothouse. She, to me, defines motorsailer as does Fischer and Pan Oceanic.

[minaret]

Originally Posted by Finlandia57

I own Finlandia, a 1983 NC36 (36') Nauticat pilothouse. She, to me, defines motorsailer as does Fischer and Pan Oceanic.

x2 on the Nauticats. If you do some research you'll see that some of the Nauticat designs were based off their original molds and are very much motorsailors, with a very wide transom like a powerboat. However once Nauticat became a success, they got Sparkman & Stephens to draw their new designs. They are much more modern in regards to hull shape and rig, and sail very well. Mine points nicely and will make 7 1/2 knots to windward in 18 knots of wind. Without the motor running. I have all the original plans and pamphlets, etc. for my boat. The factory owners guide says it took Olin Stephens 3 1/2 yrs. to design the 52. It shows. It's also the driest boat I've ever owned, has the nicest teak woodwork I've seen, has huge tankage, an awesome pilothouse, etc. All those people who say a motorsailor has to be a compromise in performance haven't been out on my boat on a reach with the spinnaker and mizzen staysail up...
Theres a 36 in Texas on Yachtworld for 50k thats one of the S&S designs that looks like a good deal. Lots of others too. Nice boats if you stick with the S&S design. Don't let people talk you out of motorsailors based on sail performance, some will surprise you!