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Motoring while sailing ????

5K views 13 replies 13 participants last post by  aztuc 
#1 ·
Ok, I am not sure where this was to go, so here it is.
I recently came across an opportunity that I will partake in where I will be in a non-equity sailing partnership. I know that many of you are against this, but it is the most affordable deal for me, and the guy was cool and yeah yeah yeah...
Anyway my question; I will be sailing a Pearson 30ft and sailing from SoCal (Dana Point or Oceanside) to Catalina a few times this winter. He explained to me though that because of the lack of good wind out there, he motors out, and then sails back. What exactly did that mean? Is that a normal practice of motoring that far (it is 6-7 hours) or what? Please let me know, as I was assuming that one would just sail, although painfully beating if necessary. Any advice or experience is appreciated.

D
 
#2 ·
It might be that he wants to get to Catalina faster than he could by sailing there.
 
#3 ·
... I was assuming that one would just sail, although painfully beating if necessary. Any advice or experience is appreciated.
While waiting for a weather window in Cape May a few seasons ago we were invited aboard a 49-ft boat that the Capt & wife had sailed through three Atlantic Crossings and a year in the Med and years up and down the U.S. East Coast. His observation about motoring still sticks in my mind, "Wayne, the dirty little secret of cruising is that you spend most of your time motoring." Pretty sure the word "most" was used as hyperbole, but do keep that engine in good shape Dubej!
 
#6 ·
That's for sure. For me "Sailing" is weekend day sails around the bay such as in my avatar picture where I'm ghosting along at a couple knots in NGBay, or Rail Down.....later when the afternoon SWesterly blasts up the bay.

When it's Vacation Time and we have a destination, usually many miles away, it's Motor Sailing if I can :) and just plain Motoring if I must - Point A to Point B..... :rolleyes:
 
#7 ·
It's a time of day thing; usually there's not much or no wind in the morning. Trying to sail with sail only in minimal wind and a rolling swell isn't fun, and the speed of motoring is especially useful when crossing the big ship traffic separation lanes that come out of Los Angeles/San Pedro harbor. Also, Orange County is downwind in the prevailing breezes from Catalina, so the sail back would probably be more fun.
 
#8 ·
a couple more thoughts about motorsailing to Catalina

Oh, yes, although this is less important in the winter, your friend may want to get to Catalina in plenty of time to secure a good mooring, especially if you're going to Avalon. If you're late getting to Catalina, especially during popular warm season weekends, they might be out of balls in Avalon harbor and you might have to take one of the less desirable moorings north of the Casino in more exposed, rolly, rougher water. And, you do have less daylight in the winter, so the crossing needs to get done efficiently.

Motorsailing gives a more comfortable motion than plain motoring and if there's a bit of wind it'll give a nice combination of fuel savings and speed.
 
#9 ·
All good advice. I have crossed the San Pedro channel many times and also find the morning winds are very light so motoring at least halfway is usually required to get there in a reasonable time of day. I almost always sail back, but motor out from the island wind shadow before setting the genoa. By the way, Avalon is a great destination in winter; fewer boats, fewer people in general. Check for special events though, since fishing tourneys can cause the mooring balls to be all taken. North of the casino, the conditions can be very rough even in summer. I was banished there a couple of night this past summer. Happy Crossing!
 
#11 ·
Since this topic rose from the dead...

I was talking recently to a fellow with a very nice sailboat (brands are not important) who told me the boat won't sail with any speed till the winds hit 15 knots. And after 25 knots he doesn't like it's sailing characteristics. So he motors, or motor sails.

My boat is pretty quick in light air... and the only time I run the engine is to make a deadline if there's no wind. Otherwise I'll just hang around waiting for wind. I'm doing all the same stuff I would be doing at anchor anyway... why run the motor.

While his boat is much better appointed than mine on the interior, he was jealous of me sailing everywhere. We change out destinations or schedules based on the wind, and I'm totally ok with that. There's a few spots we haven't gotten too yet that we've tried because we don't have the wind, but we'll get there, without the motor.

I do get irrationally annoyed when I see sailboats motor around when there's good wind... but if it works out right, I try to change course to match and see if I can sail faster than them... partially to make a bit of fun of them.
 
#13 ·
For those of us in Southern California the prevailing wind is from the NW. Problem is, that's the direction of Catalina. Most of the time a favorable wind to Catalina is during a storm and the wind and waves can be high. So most people motor to Catalina. Not because there isn't any wind, there can be that too, but because when there is wind, it is against you. Catalina blocks most of the higher waves from LA to Dana Point but below that it gets bigger. I am in San Diego harbor and we usually get at least a foot higher swells than Oceanside. So going to Catalina from here, many go up the coast, where the swell is smaller, under power and often with the main up to get a little push, until they reach Oceanside or Dana Point before turning toward to Catalina. But it is almost always under power. Sometimes you get very lucky and can sail both ways but not too often. You can't schedule those you just have to be ready to go when the wind is favorable. But then I've talked to those who had to motor both ways. It isn't that bad unless you go all at night, as there is usually some sea life to see along the way and you are usually in sight of land, if the haze/fog isn't too bad. Going from the LA area isn't too much different, except it is a 10 -12 hour trip from San Diego and only a 6 - 8 trip from LA area. If you want to spend some time in the area there are several large islands North of Catalina but you MUST keep an eye on the weather up there in all seasons as the wind and waves can change in a few hours the closer you get to Point Conception.
 
#14 ·
We have a Newport 30 in San Diego Bay. The truth is that if you are planning to sail North on the California Coast, you will be nose to the wind and against current. From San Diego, we frequently motor or motor sail during the night (seas are calm) and leave around dinner time. Then, arrive in Catalina in the morning (mooring balls are "first come-first served").
Your new partner is right. The return sail during daytime is great with current and wind behind you or at beam. Incidentally, be careful if you are new to the waters here because the conditions between the Channel Islands and West Coast can be very challenging. Be alert and you will have a great time.
 
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