Motor boat versus sail boat

[niel12]

Has any one determined, to the dollar, which boat is the cheapest to run.
Certain schools stand by motor boats and other stand by sail boats i'm just wonderin which is the most cost effective in the long run!

[callmecrazy]

depends on how far you want to go...

[cal40john]

A motorboat with small engines that sits at the dock most of the time or makes short trips is cheaper to own than a sailboat with hi tech expensive laminate sails that need frequent replacement.

A sailboat with dacron sails that a cruiser is willing to get 20 years of use out of is cheaper to own than a powerboat with big engines that you use to get places fast.


John

[niel12]

Intersting views and i like that flavoring bit on dacron sails, that might just be the overall converting solution for motor boaters!

[sww914]

I read a thread on here last year by a cruiser who had switched from sailboat cruising for many years to a trawler. He said that when you factor in brand new sails every so often it ends up about the same. I buy used sails.

[markpierce]

As often as not, sailboats operate their engines. In fact, all the sailboats I observed yesterday on the Carquinez Strait were using their engines, with and without sails. Furthermore, my motorboat used its sails for part of the voyage.

[cat man do]

Originally Posted by sww914

I read a thread on here last year by a cruiser who had switched from sailboat cruising for many years to a trawler. He said that when you factor in brand new sails every so often it ends up about the same. I buy used sails.

Dont forget the initial cost of mast, winches, blocks, tracks, wire etc etc

I figured on my build I would be looking at the best part of $70k for all of that inc. sails.
Then new sails and wire every 5 to 10 years (say 7) costing probably another $20k

The boat would already have diesel engines regardless of whether it be sail or power, so I may as well use them

Diesel at Langkawi (an area where I will be based) costs .70c/l aud

Diesel only from Shell barge, Kuah Harbour: at RM2.27p/ltr. (20.01.2011). (Cash only). Fuel and Water

You do the math

[Factor]

Originally Posted by markpierce

As often as not, sailboats operate their engines.

Some do. Not all. I use my motors less than 100 hrs per year. And I Sail a lot. But I absolutely agree that many people would be better off with power cats - designed from the start to be powercats

[44'cruisingcat]

Really comes down to your mileage. But you shouldn't overlook the fun factor: we own boats for pleasure, and sailing is much more fun than motoring.

[daddle]

These sails have about 5 years and 20,000 miles on them. They cost about $12,000. That's $0.60 per mile. They're pretty much shot by my higher-than-typical-cruiser standards. So that's comparable to fuel costs.

Sailboats cost more to buy and operate than motorboats because they are better, duh. We pay the premium because we value the experience, or something. Also about a thousand times more reliable on a serious voyage.

[cat man do]

Originally Posted by daddle

These sails have about 5 years and 20,000 miles on them. They cost about $12,000. That's $0.60 per mile. They're pretty much shot by my higher-than-typical-cruiser standards. So that's comparable to fuel costs.

Add in the cost of rig, winches etc
Thanks

Sailboats cost more to buy and operate than motorboats because they are better, duh. We pay the premium because we value the experience, or something. Also about a thousand times more reliable on a serious voyage.

Proven by the fact that the worlds commercial shipping, cruise liners, ferries etc are sail boats



Oh wait

[daddle]

Originally Posted by cat man do

Oh wait

Duh, cruising boats. Feel comfortable motoring your motor-only trawler ...oops... cat 8000 miles from San Francisco to Palau? That's what I mean by reliable.

[Factor]

I think Cat Man do would baulk at any suggestion that his boat is a trawler!

I got a mate from Seattle doing the RTW thing in his motor only trawler thingy at the moment MV FURTHUR website he seems to be coping.

As for me though - I love the sailing.

[Pete7]

You have to admit there is something very nice about switching off the engine and letting nature drive you along to your destination for free, even if it did cost an arm and a leg for new sails.

Pete

[doug86]

Originally Posted by niel12

Has any one determined, to the dollar, which boat is the cheapest to run.

No. No one has determined, to the dollar, which is cheapest to run.