need advice on my first sailing

[diverdad69]

hi everyone, well my boat is moored out in the harbor, i have to row out to get to her, i have no motor currently but a friend is loaning me a 35 lb thrust trolling motor to get her moving. Im taking her into dry dock this thursday. My son an I have never sailed before but I dont hink I can make it on battery power alone. heres my question

Shes 28 foot
i have a jib and main on board right now, which Im sure i can rig up no problem the winds are suppose to be 10 to 15 mph? not sure of the knot speed should i give it a try and see what happens? I bought a hand held adio just incase but could use some advice.

thanks

[US27inKS]

Find a friend who knows how to sail, and do it fast. Getting to the dock under sail on your first time out is not going to be a pretty sight. Save yourself the embarassment and dings in your boat, get a friend to help.

[merlin2375]

Originally Posted by US27inKS

Find a friend who knows how to sail, and do it fast. Getting to the dock under sail on your first time out is not going to be a pretty sight. Save yourself the embarassment and dings in your boat, get a friend to help.

100% agreed, be safe and be nice to your boat!

[Lostmt]

How big is your dinghy? You could take a couple of extra batteries with you that way you would have enough. If nothing else pull your car/truck battery. Buy a trolling battery from WalMart they aren't that expensive. Better than doing damage to your boat or someone else. Have someone ready with your anchor. If you run into problems drop anchor. Hail the marina and get someone to tow you in.

[sailingfool]

I wouldn't expect to move a 30 foot boat with an electric motor, if you have a decent breeze you could all end up out to sea.

If you find someone who is willing to sail it in, be sure they profess to be very expert, as its not a good task tyo take on with a strange boat.

If soneone can't handle this for you, ask the marina to go and get it, most have work boats for moving customer boats around. Once you've spent some money on your new boat you'll feel much more experienced.

[Don0190]

Lets be real. No experience at all and this is what you wish to do and you hope to gain enough knowledge from a forum site! My recommendation is that you get the boat towed in.

[artbyjody]

Call Vessel Assist / TowUS - probably won't be cheap as they charge per hour. But you will get it to the dry dock in one piece and done professionally and on time. See BoatUS.com for details.

[T34C]

A 35# thrust trolling motor is under powered for a bass boat on a windy day. It really isn't going to be enough to push a sailboat in a breeze no matter how much battery you have.

[chucklesR]

DiverDad,

Give us a hand helping you out, where you out of? You'd be surprized how many volunteers will PM you.

If the marina you are going to is close enough they should be able to come get you with the work boat for a reasonable fee, 35 lb thrust is about the same a 2 horse outboard, but with a crappy prop for the boat you are moving. You'll be lucky to have steerage, and won't have much of that for the 30 minutes of battery time you'll have (and not at full speed then).

[CharlieCobra]

Diverdad, so you're ready to try it? Ya get some Jib sheets yet? Give me a call and we can try to work out a schedule so I can help you guys take her out for the first time. Thursday is no good but I can probably make time the other days including this weekend.

Folks, the boat is anchored about 100 yards or so off a pier in Bellingham. I've been aboard her ain't she's not too shabby, just needs some TLC. With an experienced hand aboard he could sail it on and off the anchorage without issue, no motor required.


Update: Just talked to him and it's on the hard in the same yard as Oh Joy now for refit and Winter storage.