Thread: An appropriate motorsailer

RobJ, don't see any problems, HS is a beautiful boat with, I'm sure, many admirers. Tekin looks good, very well equipped, would be getting a good survey or inspection just in case.

Just different sorts of sailing, neither better that the other, each with different advantages. Whatever you do, dont buy a cheaper boat that needs repair, life is too short. If the price seems high, try and price the all the gear on and in the boat. Better to borrow money and enjoy some sailing while making repayments.

Regards

Adelaide

You haven't had HS long enough mate. Sure, there may be problems and I understand about your arthritis - I'm not sure you've had enough time to chase the solutions. For example, I know a bloke (member of this forum actually ... and the son of good friends of my parents ) who sails his bloody big yacht without leaving the comfort of his captain's chair. That's right, he raises and lowers the sails, trims them and does all that sailory stuff without moving from that chair. He's able to do this coz he's cunning and has a very good set up. That set up won't work for HS but it's an example of what can be achieved if you're stubborn enough.

It's possible that HS isn't the boat for you and your problems, but I'm also aware (from sadly frequent familiarity), that despair is the first step towards finding the answers. Maybe the final answer is another boat, but you've a bit more stuffing about with this one before you can answer that question

Besides, not many people get to puff out their chests and say they own one of Oughtred's finest

Richard

Drink more beer. Lots more beer and offer free beer to potential crew members, or a least promise the beer to get them on the boat. You shouldn't feel the pain anymore and you'll have lots of crew around to do the tasks necessary to run the ship.

Thanks for replying fellers.
PAR , unfortunately ('cos I love a beer) , I've had to give up alcohol , but yes , I have supplied beer for whoever goes out with me.
But really , I'm lucky to have very good sailors who are only too happy to go sailing with me , so crewing her is not a problem.
Daddles , yes I want to keep sailing , and motoring if I have to , and I'll set up a boat to enable me to do that.
Maxwaterline , yes , I'll be trying to find a boat (after survey) that doesn't require any work.
Tekin looks good , and certainly has a strong engine , easier to work on , and parts easy to find.
And yes , the sailing would be very different to HS , but she is firmly placed in my memory bank .
But I wouldn't get as bruised on Tekin , and I could have her set up to be an easier sail , even if she doesn't have the same character as HS.
Regards , and thanks for your comments.
Rob J. off for a morning on Coastguard radio duty.

Rob,
I'm thinking Tekin is a very good reason for a trip to Tassie. Go for a long sail in her then sit on the idea for a week or so. I wonder about the hull shape and guess she is more motor than sail but a few hours in a decent breeze and a reasonable sea will soon tell you if she is the one.

She looks to be a well found boat and if the survey is up to scratch well you could do a lot worse.....but you do need to think about maintenance Tekin would be a whole different kettle of fish to HS.

Perhaps try fitting some winches to HS and get a bigger tender first. Oh and when I sailed dinghies many years ago some foam stitched into various places of the sailing attire was not considered being a sissy, may help with the bruising.

Oh and I'm free the second week of May for the delivery BTW

Well , you know I agree with all of that !.
I think I'll explore the winches idea for HS , perhaps a little electric winch .
And knee guards perhaps , and cushioning .
I've identified when I do get bruised , its when tacking , and sometimes working the running backstays.
Not helped of course by the fact that HS is usually heeled right over.
Thank you for your response , and ah , you never know , on the delivery !.
Regards Rob J.

I thought I'd try to post some pictures of boats , and see what people think.
Firstly , there is Tekin.
Boats for Sale :: Tasmania :: Sail :: Power :: Boat Brokers of Tasmania .
Then there is-
MOTORSAILER CANADIAN NORTHERN 32 boat details - BoatPoint Australia .
Any thoughts ?.
Regards Rob J.

Or , there is this one.
A fair bit bigger than HS , but how well could it be set up , via winches etc , for me ?.
Regards Rob J

Rob, it's perfectly natural to descend into the realm of powerboats as we age. After a while, we just can't "manage" a sailing vessel any longer. It's a function of age and the results of wear and tear (literally) on our bodies. We just can't grasp tightly enough, our balance is not good, eye sight shot to hell and fortunately the diminished hearing helps with ignoring the chores list from her majesty.

Selecting an old gaffer isn't the best choice for well used body parts. A more modern sailor with electric winches can be a way to stay in the wind blown canvas game. Yea, they don't look as nice and you'll get to places faster then you're use to, but you can adjust.

You may be able to use a single winch and drive it with a cordless drill motor (they actually make a ridiculously expensive device like this). Make a plug that will fit the top of the winch, chuck it up, jam the drill into the socket and pull the trigger. A single winch can do it all, though on a gaffer, you'll have to play around with things for the halyards.

Bloody hell PAR , you are a marvel !.
When I upgraded HS , I gave her a big "house' battery.
When the electrician "did his thing' , he included two "bayonet" fittings , for charging mobile phone batteries.
Or operating a battery powered drill that he made up for me , that that been converted to work off the house battery , and with a long enough cord to reach anywhere on the boat !.
Yes , a winch is in order , and we will see what we can arrange , with the drill , for sure.
But if you could be so kind as to give some thought to the things I should be looking out for in a bigger motor sailer , I'd much appreciate it.
To me yes , use the modern sails and rigging , anything to make things easier (although the boat MUST be wood) , and use it on a motor sailer , something I can turn the engine on and have reliable power , when my sailing has all gone to crap.
I really want to sail , but I've tried to deal with a stark reality too often now , to know I have to try something else.
I suspect some of the boats I'm looking at are yes , used as a motor launch , and that rigging , maybe even the mast and spars , maybe even sails , are getting to the end of their useful life.
If the price paid reflected that , then the upgrade could be "arthritic friendly" , couldn't it ?.
It seems a buyers market for these boats , maybe there isn't quite the romance in having a stolid old motor sailer , and IF I decide to sell HS soon , I might be able to pick up something quite appropriate.
I'm just hoping to start up a conversation on the subject , and hopefully find a couple more pearlers , like your suggestion with the drill !.
THANK you PAR , for your contribution.
Regards Rob J.

Hi Rob, I have a motorsailer and I love it ,warts and all. I am a member of a cruising club up here in NSW based at Pittwater and "Wavedancer" has done more miles under sail than some of the flash plastic boats in the club. There are pictures of WD on my Building an Auk thread. A couple of years ago I went back to Tassy looking for motor sailers and there was a couple of good ones and some shockers. one little 28ft boat was beautiful but alas she clearly had a broken back, but the broker was adement that it could be fixed. Some of the older members of our club are starting to think it would be better sitting at a dry helm sipping g&t when it is pouring rain even on short runs up the Hawkberry river. A word of warning maintanence on a 32ft timber boat is non stop and if you have dicky wrists this could be a problem.
Ian L
Wavedancer

Thanks for your reply Ian.
Yes , I've been sniffing around the motorsailer types , trying to find something that will sail at least decently , to see what I can find .
And whatever I get will have to pass survey.
I surprised myself with HS , I managed to sand her hull , on a trailer , and paint it 3 times !.
Oh yes , the body and hands ached , but I got it done.
And the work done inside , I sanded all of that , and painted it too.
IF I were to get a motor sailer , and IF it required work , I'd take it down to Port Fairy , put it up on a slip , and go to it.
And I'd do it at a time that Garry Stewart , the boat builder who did HS , across the river , was available.
But this boat must be a sail boat , I want to sail , and motor if I have to , not the other way round.
I'm going out sailing tomorrow with my old mate , in his Tassie boat.
He sails it usually on his own , it has the self furling main , and headsail , and 4 winches , and auto helm , it just lacks a decent , reliable engine.
I'm pleased that you have found your boat , that allows you to get out often , that , to me , is what its all about.
Get out and do it , while we can !.
Tell me about "Wavedancer".
Regards Rob J.

Here is a photo of a motor sailer that interests me , under sail.
Any comments ?.
Regards Rob J.

My advice is probably worth what it's cost you but here goes.

I learned to sail on keel boats a long time ago. When I first sailed a catamaran I felt I'd never enjoy a keel boat again, not because they sail flat and fast but because they are effortless to sail. I love coaxing a boat forward by nothing but the vaguaries of the wind and water, it's almost like magic and a fascinating balancing act, but the simple fact is you can chuck up any old sail and a cat or tri will lerch forward at 6 knots all day long. You then have the option of as much or as little string twiddling as you please. I also find stumbling about on deck somewhat easier.

I am not suggesting multis are for you. I don't know your situation. I am suggesting they are something you might consider.

My second point is that rigging is a variable thing and you can taylor it to suit yourself. Me, I dislike winches and love blocks. Personal taste. Lots of rope to thread but multi part purchases can make sail trimming very light work even on a bigger boat.

Finally, despite the oft repeated condemnations of motor sailers I have long admired them. Some argue they are the worst of both worlds but a good one is potentially the best. Be aware though that a motor sailer isn't that much different to a yacht with a decent motor. Provided your happy to trundle along at hull speed and keep your sails short a good yacht will do a passable job. Personally I'd be looking at steel or fiberglass boats of the size that suits you. I love timber boats and would choose that in a multihull, but unless your keen on work a keel boat can be a nicer proposition in plastic or metal.

Finally, and somewhat off topic, I am amazed at the cheap trawlers comming onto the market just now. The demise of our fishing industry perhaps, but surely these boats are worthy offshore cruisers at stupid prices....

2c...