Sail without a paddle?

[dbrock010]

I have this fear that I'll be re-entering my slip and right when I get to the marina, my outboard motor will crap out. In addition to my fears, I worry that there won't be any wind, the current will be strong, and I'll get washed up onto the rocks. Not a pretty picture, I agree. So my question to you all is should I invest in one of those 6 foot paddles so that I can paddle my 26 foot sailboat to the slip? Would it work? Has this scenario ever happened to anyone you know? Thanks

[AdamLein]

It can happen. My O/B has crapped out in various situations. Some thoughts:

- Keep your motor in good maintenance so that it doesn't crap out.

- If there's no wind, current is unlikely to push you up on the rocks, since current tends to run parallel to the shoreline.

- If there is wind and you're outside the marina, you're safe, subject to your seamanship and the conditions. If the marina is a lee shore and you know the layout well, sailing in may be the best option (I just did it on Monday).

- If there is wind and you're inside the marina, you're in trouble. Fenders, boathooks, and calm crew are more useful than paddles in this situation.

- Also more useful than a paddle is an anchor ready to deploy.

- Dunno about California; in Canada, a paddle is required for boats over a certain size. I have used mine on occasion when the motor crapped out, but only when we were adrift at sea, never in closed quarters. It's hard to generate any real power. Consider a sculling oar with a proper oarlock if you're serious about propelling your boat by hand.

[Siamese]

Oh sure, I see people paddling their 26 footers all the time around here. Some of them pull skiers that way

Nah. Don't forget you have lines you can throw and an anchor you can drop. And you should be able to rely on your outboard. Fresh fuel / always stablize the fuel in the tank and lines when not using it / and use only the best oil, like Mercury of Johnson/Evinrude. Outboards get a bad reputation because they don't always get proper care.

And if that current's strong enough to take you over the falls (or was it jagged rocks?), the paddle would just delay your demise.

[sailingdog]

A proper sculling oar for a boat the size of yours would be fairly long, say probably 9-10' or so..

Adam's advice is sound... maneuvering with a sculling oar is not easy.

I'd second his point about the anchor being a very useful device. It can give you the time you need to fix things like a stalled engine. Most people forget about the anchor in an emergency, but if the water is shallow enough—it is often a very good choice.

[nolatom]

You're sure worried about a lot of things here.

But if the current (at your marina?) is strong enough to bring you to grief on the rocks, I doubt the long paddle (depending on boat's weight and freeboard) would overcome it. Sculling your rudder might be more effective.

That's no reason not to have one--or better, two. If you're worried about current, have your anchor ready. Or maybe a grapnel on a long line, throw it towards your dock (and miss the other guys' boats and any pipes or cables) and you may catch and be able to pull yourself in. And, keep your sails ready to re-raise in case the wind *does* come up. And keep your motor in good repair and your fuel clean.

And go to church on Sunday and be kind to animals. This sounds more like a karma thing.

[pdqaltair]

Originally Posted by sailingdog

A proper sculling oar for a boat the size of yours would be fairly long, say probably 9-10' or so..

Adam's advice is sound... maneuvering with a sculling oar is not easy.

I'd second his point about the anchor being a very useful device. It can give you the time you need to fix things like a stalled engine. Most people forget about the anchor in an emergency, but if the water is shallow enough—it is often a very good choice.

Boat - 27-foot Stiletto

I have had this happen 3 times: once between jetties in high winds, once in the middle of a harbor, and once right by my slip.

In the first case, ONLY an anchor would have helped (20-25 knots). My gas separated and I had to change a fuel filter. I got the anchor down FAST, changed the filter, drained the water, and went on out. We only had seconds to get it down, but we were ready and it went smoothly.

The second time (also bad gas) it was easier and I suppose I could have paddled back (I did have 2). Same drill as first. Got smarter about checking fuel at the dock!

3rd was a delivery trip with a 7500-pound cat. The engines crapped out, I didn't know the boat so well, but the wind was very light and we sailed it into the slip. I had been sailing the boat for 2 days and felt I knew her well enough, but I had been sailing for many years by then. However, we were in the process of dropping anchor when we decided we could get it in. We would have anchored if the conditions had not been acceptable.

Get a little inflatable of some sort with some oars. It will have many uses, including rowing and anchor out!

[jackdale]

There is a large San Juan 21 fleet here in Calgary that race on the reservoir - the source of drinking water. Engines are not permitted. I have spent many evenings paddling back to the dock after the wind dies.

BTW in Canada, paddles or anchors are required under 9 meters.

[AdamLein]

Sailing into a slip is awesome, but not always essential. I've sailed into a marina twice due to a dead outboard and each time we went to the first available readily accessible slip with no obstacles around. Once we were secure, we dealt with the motor and then motored wherever we had to go next.

Some recommendations when sailing into a marina:
- put out a securite indicating your intentions.
- have an air horn ready.
- get life jackets on.

In both cases for us, it was in conditions when nobody in their right mind would be departing the marina, so we weren't too concerned about other boats, but better safe than sorry.

[AdamLein]

Originally Posted by jackdale

BTW in Canada, paddles or anchors are required under 9 meters.

Is it paddles or anchors, as in, either would suffice, or do you need both?

[MtHopeBay]

I've seen a boat crew in our club make their way out of the marina by hoisting the main and rocking the boat back and forth. With one crew member on each side of the mast holding onto the shrouds they take turns pulling which rocks the boat back and forth. This makes the sail like a flapping wing and propels them forward while the 3rd member is at the tiller. I think it's an Ultimate 20.

Once they get going they make pretty good way.

By the way: I make sure the anchor is ready when I get under way because the tidal current is usually strong in our little bay. An oar/paddle would be no good. Anchor and radio for assistance if I can't solve the problem quickly.