Stowage capacity/Transport by Sail

[okawbow]

About 10% of the displacement weight is said to be a normal load over the normal weight of crew, water, fuel, and equipment.

So; about 3000lbs. More will adversely affect the safety and sailing qualities of your boat.

[GreatWhite]

From the previous thread about the 'beatniks' shipping the coffee I know there are a lot of people who think the idea of shipping something like coffee by a small sailboat is ridiculous. One post on that thread said that regarding fuel use that a cargo ship would potentially use far less fuel per pound shipped. There is definitely substantive weight to that arguement but it is possible to sail the trip completely under sail which although doesn't really reduce the amount of Carbon going into the atmospere by a massive amount, the trip does accomplishes some great things:
1) It promotes sailing
2) It makes us think about our consumption and what we do and the effect on our environment
3) Brings attention to our food consumption and its effect on the planet - although cargo ships are actually very efficient means of transport - what about "jet fresh" This practice of food delivery is undesputeably having a tremendous and negative impact to our environment.

The reason I come to this forum is for good solid advice around safety and good sailing practices. There are levels of seamanship that make offshore sailing relatively safe. Loading a boat within safe limits is critical to safety. Making sure rigging in good shape, especially with a boat loaded is also critical. Proper safety equipment, training and experience - essential.

Why not build an offshore sailing mission around the delivery of goods if it can be done in a safe manner? This forum supports people sailing for love of sailing, why not add another element of ecological preservation!

[Joesaila]

I travel to Belize yearly and they use sailboats for tending fish nets and carrying cargo. It works fine, but their boats are designed to do that. The cruisers most people use are made for relative comfort and enjoyment. I suppose a comparison of a moving truck vs an RV would work. The modifications you would need in order to make a profit are not practical. You could modify it enough to do both but that idea went out with the piston engines. But I think your intentions are certainly good.

Some of the sailors in Belize still use dugout canoes on the sailboats for fishing and life boats! Watching these gaff rigged boats in action is like watching a ballet...