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No Engine Sailing .. thoughts ..

22K views 115 replies 57 participants last post by  rbrasi 
#1 ·
I've got my eye on a nice 30' boat. She is in very good condition, hull/deck..
rig/sails/ground tackle .. but :: she has an old, original Atomic 4 gasoline engine. Been there, done that, not going back . NEVER. Since she is a 4 hour drive from home base, kinda puts me at a big disadvantage. For fun, and some knowledge, I called a local re-power marina. $10,000 .. That was for a small diesel, and to get it in place, and maybe the price would be a little more..
I mulled and sculled .. Then I thought :: $12,000 sure would buy a pretty good zodiac/with outboard .. In fact, a second hand sure dingy with second hand outboard !! Heck, for a couple of thousand I'd find something very sweet. So, I got thinking .. no inboard. Use just the push dingy. A no inboard motor sailor. At least until boat is back at home port. Anyone do anything like this?
Is there some work around, besides the AT4? Is there a little engine that could be placed where the AT4 is now? Something simple? I love the boat, but I am not living with another Atomic 4 engine, no way. Those aren't engines, they are diseases. I hate the ... things. Had three cruising boats with the AT4, big pain in the ass..

No engine? Any thoughts ? Work around s ?
 
#114 ·
Chrisncate: You said "Keep in mind that the motorless cruising sailor typically wouldn't be in a rental boat situation either, there is a difference in the overall way you sail when you know ahead of time that you have no motor. A boat in distress isn't really the same as a dedicated sail only vessel."

I agree with you. Where are you planning on going? Are you going long term cruising or short hops? Are you on any kind of timetable? If not, I kind of see your point but it is not for me.
 
#116 ·
I sailed into my slip for the first time last night. Perfect. It helped that A) I have a downwind slip and B) there was virtually no wind. Getting out without the engine on is more of a challenge, but I'm almost there. My goal is to use the engine only when absolutely necessary. BTW- I have a Vetus (Mitsubishi) Diesel 20hp that works great. After roughly 40 hours of water time, I'm still on my first tank of gas :).
 
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