The best of both worlds

[PollyAnna]

I had my first real teaching event yesterday when I thought that I would take my out for a power cruise around the lake. I looked at the tank, half full (yes, only one) and thought, ah that will be fine to cruise around for a little while. Well, after a few minutes into the cruise, I thought I would see just how fast I could get it up to (always just sailed with it). So I had my friend take the wheel while I opened the ballast drain and went down into the bow and opened the vent plug.

We picked up speed as the water drained and me not wanting to push it too hard, inched it up to around 15 knots before backing it back down. We had a blast skimming along the waves and with pontoon boats just looking on with inquisitive looks (that's a sailboat?). Then I had a thought, I wonder how much fuel we had run though?

Sure enough, only a few millimeters of fuel left. Still a mile and half from the marina, I knew there was no way we were going to make in back on the motor alone. So we decided to run it for has long as we could since there was very little wind (less than 5 knots). About a quarter of the way back, the motor started gasping for fuel. So I switch it off to save what we could for any last minute maneuvers to get it back in the slip.

So we popped the sails up and cruise at minimum .5 knots, max of 3 to get back to the marina. I joke with my friend that in sailing classes they teach you not to use the motor to sail in and out of the dock area so that for situations like this, you don't need the motor. Well as we started getting closer to the marina our courage grew, we decided what the heck! Go for it!

I am sure the marina office was freaking out a little seeing my coming in with full sails out... , but we made a near perfect capture in the slip area (a slightly harder bump with the bow that I would have liked, but no worse for the wear). But, this is why I love this boat so much, having ability to power cruise and then sail in when needed! (note-to-self, buy a reserve tank of gas! )
Shu

[James V]

COOL

[c130king]

I had a very similar situation one of the first times I took my family out. My experience up to that point (maybe 5 or 6 3-4 hour day sails) had been very light on the motoring...seemed as if a tank of gas lasted forever. First time I motored about 15 miles up river to city pier for lunch (at full throttle) I got there and told my Dad "I got plenty of gas"...but after lunch when I checked the tank it was pretty much completely empty...and I was about 15 miles away from my trailer.

So we put up the sails since it was just about a complete downwind run back to the marina...the word "run" might be stretching the truth. The wind was blowing about 3-5 mph max...I was making about 1-2 mph with about a 1 mph current. My sailing cahones were not big enough to use my fuel as I knew I would need it to get on the trailer. But about halfway back is a marina which I was able to ghost up to in the whisper of wind. Sailed all the way to the end of the pier and only cranked up the motor for the last 50 yards or so up to the fuel dock. It took 3 hours to go about 7 miles.

For those that are familiar with Jacksonville area this was from Green Cove Springs back to NAS Jacksonville. Made the fuel stop at Holiday Marina in Mandarin.

Now I am much more careful on my fuel useage and I carry an empty 5-gal tank so I can go ashore and hitch a ride somewhere...did that once too.

But what a great boat.

[PollyAnna]

I have read that 90% of sailing is learned within the first year while the last 10% takes the rest of your life. So, I am half-war to that 90%

My familiy along with my first ex and kids still live in Jax where I was born and raised. After three hitches in the Navy, i wound up in Dallas, but am a big Jags fan!

Thanks for the encouraging post!

Shu

[c130king]

Shu,

Jax is a great place to sail (IMHO). Jax is my "home port" as that is where my folks live...for now. My Dad is retired Navy. I keep my boat at the NAS while I am stationed in the UK. However, my folks just sold their house, will soon have their new 40-foot land yacht, and plan to hit the road while they still have their health.

I will be going back for 10 days of mods/installs and sailing in a few weeks. But with no house I will have to sleep on the couch in their motor home. Can't wait.

Cheers,
Jim