Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 04-24-2018, 11:11 AM   #1
Scraping Paint
 
City: new bern, nc
Join Date: Dec 2016
Posts: 46
Switching from sail to steam need advice

Hello all, I have had several sailboats lived aboard and did some cruising we sold the boat 4 yrs. ago,and now once again looking to go cruising again at 55 yrs old ,I am wondering if any folks who switched from sail to steam had regrets, were they forced into due to health,? are they happy they made the switch any insight appreciated.
wayward13 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-24-2018, 11:56 AM   #2
Guru
 
Fletcher500's Avatar
 
City: San Diego
Vessel Model: Helmsman 4304
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 2,005
I think you will find everyone on here are all very happy with the switch to steam.
Fletcher500 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-24-2018, 12:08 PM   #3
TF Site Team
 
Shrew's Avatar
 
City: Westerly, RI
Vessel Name: N/A
Vessel Model: 1999 Mainship 350 Trawler
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 4,154
In comparing a sailing vessel to a motor vessel; there is only one downside to a motor vessel, the increased fuel bill. The upsides are endless.
Shrew is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-24-2018, 12:21 PM   #4
Guru
 
Gabe n Em's Avatar
 
City: Tavernier, FL
Vessel Name: Volans
Vessel Model: 2001 PDQ MV 32
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 580
A semi-displacement hull is very different from a full displacement hull in high seas. But it's a much more spacious, pleasant living space
Gabe n Em is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-24-2018, 01:02 PM   #5
Guru
 
Woodland Hills's Avatar
 
City: Jacksonville
Vessel Name: Alzero
Vessel Model: Hatteras 63' CPMY
Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 1,548
There is nothing better than purring along at 7 or 8 knots knowing you could go two or even three times as fast if needed AND be going directly towards your destination all the time. At least it is as long as you have someplace to go: for just fooling around on the water within sight of your home port a small daysailer is hard to beat.
Woodland Hills is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-24-2018, 02:20 PM   #6
Valued Technical Contributor
 
DavidM's Avatar
 
City: Litchfield, Ct
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 6,775
I think that many, maybe most trawler owners are former sailboat owners. There are lots of reasons to switch: Mama, less work, mama, old age, mama, desire to get there quicker, mama.

In general sailing is about the journey and the destination is secondary. Trawlering is probably the opposite.

David
DavidM is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 04-24-2018, 02:21 PM   #7
Guru
 
dhays's Avatar
 
City: Gig Harbor
Vessel Name: Kinship
Vessel Model: North Pacific 43
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 9,046
We made the switch two years ago. We went from a 40' Catalina to a 43' North Pacific. Our situation in the PNW is different the East coast. In our area, we found we were actually sailing only 25% of the time or less. The rest of the time we were using it as a very efficient powerboat.

The trawler is warmer, drier, more comfortable, more space, more amenities, better views from inside, and much more expensive. I miss sailing but would never go back.
__________________
Regards,

Dave
SPOT page
dhays is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-24-2018, 02:31 PM   #8
Senior Member
 
Tomas's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 207
What kind of cruising do you want to do? If you want to cross oceans, the sailboat would be more economical and make more sense than most power boats. If you want to coastal cruise or hang out in marinas or on the ICW, the power boat probably makes more sense.
Tomas is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-24-2018, 03:27 PM   #9
Guru
 
menzies's Avatar
 
City: Jacksonville
Vessel Name: SONAS
Vessel Model: Grand Alaskan 53
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 7,235
Most, if not all, of the sail boat owers I know, including my three brothers, are power boaters.
menzies is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-24-2018, 05:09 PM   #10
Guru
 
AusCan's Avatar
 
City: Adelaide
Vessel Name: Kokanee
Vessel Model: Cuddles 30 Pilot House Motor Sailer
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 3,218
I'm still sitting on the fence.

There are a few downsides to power boating. Generally, power boats don't handle rough water as well. You will miss the stability that sails give you. And then there is the noise.

Power boats are often faster if you are trying to get somewhere in a hurry.
They are almost always more comfortable (wider, more windows, designed for entertaining as much as boating)

It all depends what you want to do.
AusCan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-24-2018, 05:44 PM   #11
Guru
 
Simi 60's Avatar
 
City: Queensland
Vessel Model: Milkraft 60 converted timber prawn trawler
Join Date: Jul 2016
Posts: 5,482
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gabe n Em View Post
A semi-displacement hull is very different from a full displacement hull in high seas. But it's a much more spacious, pleasant living space
We have a full displacement hull so I'll have to disagree.
Simi 60 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-24-2018, 05:45 PM   #12
Guru
 
Simi 60's Avatar
 
City: Queensland
Vessel Model: Milkraft 60 converted timber prawn trawler
Join Date: Jul 2016
Posts: 5,482
Quote:
Originally Posted by menzies View Post
Most, if not all, of the sail boat owers I know, including my three brothers, are power boaters.
Dragging expensive sticks through the sky slowing them down?
Simi 60 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-24-2018, 06:54 PM   #13
Guru
 
BruceK's Avatar
 
City: Sydney
Vessel Name: Sojourn
Vessel Model: Integrity 386
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 13,293
Quote:
Originally Posted by Shrew View Post
In comparing a sailing vessel to a motor vessel; there is only one downside to a motor vessel, the increased fuel bill. The upsides are endless.
True, but consider the compensatory savings of not having a sailboat. No sails to buy,repair and maintain. No rigging to maintain and regularly overhaul to avoid risks of failure.No mast to remove overhaul and reinstall. Surely there are other savings.
__________________
BruceK
2005 Integrity 386 "Sojourn"
Sydney Australia
BruceK is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-24-2018, 06:55 PM   #14
Guru
 
tiltrider1's Avatar
 
City: Seattle
Vessel Name: AZZURRA
Vessel Model: Ocean Alexander 54
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 4,280
I am not a sailor vs power boat type. I do both. For now I have more money than time and power boats in my price bracket are more livable. Where i live is great for sailboat racing but rarely is the wind cooperative for cruising, not to mention the severe tidal currents. If I ever end up with more time than money I might switch back to blow boats.
tiltrider1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-24-2018, 10:39 PM   #15
Guru
 
ssobol's Avatar
 
City: Southwest MI
Vessel Name: Sobelle
Vessel Model: C-Dory 22 Cruiser
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 1,229
If you really want steam, here ya' go:

Huge price reduction on SS Delphine
ssobol is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-25-2018, 08:01 AM   #16
Guru
 
City: gulf coast
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 3,440
Many sailors switch to power but few go back. What else needs saying?
bayview is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-25-2018, 10:19 AM   #17
Guru
 
Lepke's Avatar
 
City: Between Oregon and Alaska
Vessel Name: Charlie Harper
Vessel Model: Wheeler Shipyard 83'
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 3,021
I sailed when I was younger. I miss the quiet. But injuries and arthritis makes handling small lines too difficult and handling small lines makes the arthritis worse.
But I'm 70 now and don't see and end to my cruising or living aboard yet.
Lepke is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-25-2018, 12:32 PM   #18
Guru
 
ssobol's Avatar
 
City: Southwest MI
Vessel Name: Sobelle
Vessel Model: C-Dory 22 Cruiser
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 1,229
Quote:
Originally Posted by BruceK View Post
True, but consider the compensatory savings of not having a sailboat. No sails to buy,repair and maintain. No rigging to maintain and regularly overhaul to avoid risks of failure.No mast to remove overhaul and reinstall. Surely there are other savings.
But you have to pay for maintenance and overhaul on the powerplant, drive train, and associated equipment "to avoid risks of failure". If you have more than one powerplant the spending amount multiplies. I have never owned a sailboat, but I bet in the long run the cost difference isn't that much, particularly if you figure in the fuel bill.
ssobol is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-25-2018, 02:48 PM   #19
Guru
 
Simi 60's Avatar
 
City: Queensland
Vessel Model: Milkraft 60 converted timber prawn trawler
Join Date: Jul 2016
Posts: 5,482
Quote:
Originally Posted by ssobol View Post
But you have to pay for maintenance and overhaul on the powerplant, drive train, and associated equipment "to avoid risks of failure". If you have more than one powerplant the spending amount multiplies. I have never owned a sailboat, but I bet in the long run the cost difference isn't that much, particularly if you figure in the fuel bill.
You have to do that in a sailing boat as well and a sailing catamaran x 2.

A decent sized sailing boat that is suitable for comfortable live aboard and can actually sail can easily have $100,000 worth of mast, sail, wire and deck fittings and believe me, the loads are horrific and maintenance is crucial.
Simi 60 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-25-2018, 03:31 PM   #20
Guru
 
AusCan's Avatar
 
City: Adelaide
Vessel Name: Kokanee
Vessel Model: Cuddles 30 Pilot House Motor Sailer
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 3,218
Quote:
Originally Posted by Simi 60 View Post
You have to do that in a sailing boat as well and a sailing catamaran x 2.

A decent sized sailing boat that is suitable for comfortable live aboard and can actually sail can easily have $100,000 worth of mast, sail, wire and deck fittings and believe me, the loads are horrific and maintenance is crucial.
That also applies to some large power boats as well.
$100,000 worth of engine(s) with horrific loads and crucial maintenance.

My modest sail setup has cost me $2800 to replace and upgrade all the standing and running rigging (after 30 years). This included labour.
I may replace the original sails soon for another 4-5k.
Total sail maintenance would average out to a bit over $200 a year over 35 years. Fairly good value IMO.
AusCan is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Trawler Port Captains
Port Captains are TF volunteers who can serve as local guides or assist with local arrangements and information. Search below to locate Port Captains near your destination. To learn more about this program read here: TF Port Captain Program





All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:35 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0
Copyright 2006 - 2012