How slow is too slow before you use the motor?

[FarCry]

I was wondering how slow was too slow before you resort to non-wind propulsion.

On FarCry that SOG lower limit is usually 3 knots. It depends on location, weather, sea state, time of day, distance from destination and frequently the most important factor...the body language from the admiral.

[Faster]

As you say, it depends on the circumstances of the moment. Ghosting along at 2 knots in driving rain is not our cup or tea.. motoring and steering from under the dodger with Otto remote's the way to go. But doing the same on a pleasant warm day with not too far to go is a different thing altogether.

We usually time this sort of thing with speed vs. time/distance/daylight remaining to our destination in mind, so the threshold can vary considerably.

[speciald]

Usually On a long trip, I'll motor when I can easily motor twice as fast as I'm sailing - about 4 kts.

[Fullcrew]

I totally agree with you, it all depends. Nearly ALWAYS on the body language of the admiral!

[eMKay]

About 3kts.

[jaschrumpf]

The USS instructor from whom I took my lessons had a firm rule: "I hate to f*ckin' wallow!"

Works for me.

[NOLAsailing]

Harden up! Motors are for harbors and bridges.

Actually, I do have a smaller motor I'll fire up if it gets too light:

[ianhlnd]

depends on how much fuel you have

[jrd22]

What Faster said about sums it up for me too.

John

[DickGiddings]

I used to think 4 knots was my lower limit, but I'm thinking 3 now, with fuel costs accelerating!
Dick