motor sailor

[dhe9]

hello,

not sure i have posted before but have a question. i have heard of boats referred to as a "motor sailor" and am wondering how these boats compare to a normal sailboat as in wind powered. i really know nothing of motor sailors but it would seem that one would be under diesel power while sailing? any advantages to this and what about disadvantages? yes, diesel fuel is expensive but other disadvantages or advantages please.

thanks,
david
socal

[MARC2012]

Most seem to be have less ballast & sail area.Will sail but not very well imho.Most have more room inside.Ck gulfstar 37 sailboat & 36 motorsailer.marc

[jordanship]

It depends on the yacht. Some motorsailers are no more than powerboats with a mast. In fact, the 36 Gulfstar marc refers to doubled as a powerboat. The yard would put in a larger engine and deck structure to produce a 36-foot trawler. For the motorsailer, they would have a smaller engine and step a mast. They had a beamy hull shape, low ballast, and short rig.

On the other hand, other so-called motorsailers are sailboats with a pilothouse. I am thinking of the old Cal 2-46 and Countess 44 type designs, but any pilothouse version might be marketed these days or included as a motorsailer like a pilot version Valiant 40. These are regular sailboats with maybe a larger diesel and more fuel tankage but average beam, ballast, and clearance.

And then there is everything in between. The recent Nauticats are nice looking although the older ones are kind of boxy. It all depends what you are more looking for. Do you want to mostly power or sail?