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great topic Jeff
we got our boat a yr ago last Nov. live n.e. mass. last yr i/we used the boat about 4times a wk. about 6/7 hrs. anyway i am on a mooring on the Merrimac r. and i used the motor maybe 5 times favorable wind/current. went two weeks to Casco Bay we motored most of the way up as this was our first trip up, and am new to this part of sailing. picked up good breeze around Boone Island and motor sailed the rest of the way to make up time did not feel comfortable being out after dark (newbie). this yr. went up with my son and bro. motor sailed to Isle of shoals and picked up real good wind just north of there put up the gennaker shut off the motor and put her in the wind. the point i'm making is you have to do what you have to do. it took us 13 hrs. to get to Peaks Island. so we had to motor sail the last 8 miles or so to make it to the restuarant before closing.
on the whole i don't like using the motor i sail on and off the mooring, have since day one, except with contrary wind, which seems to be the norm. this yr. the only time the motor gets used alot is to keep the ref. cold when on the boat. she seems to perform well in all but the lightest airs. i don't turn the motor on anless the wind dies comp. i am not a die hard i just prefer the quiet and trying to get the boat to do what it was desinged to do. (gulfstar 37). the boat has fit me/us like a glove since day one, i felt i could sense the she would handle and react just by looking at her. but the bottom line is i motor only when i have to and actually make better time doing it with orig. sails (79). she is very easy to get in the groove. only my opnion.
regards mike
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