I own and cruise a Sutton (Tarpon Springs) LWL 43 LOA 47 1966 steel Trawler originally equipped with 2 masts and sails then converted to paravanes, sticks deleted, sails sold, 200,000 logged miles 5.5mpg, 900 gallons fuel, MAN 4 liter-detuned by the factory from 90hp to 44hp-1500rpm tops, cruises at 7.1 knots 1200rpm-30,000 engine hours-oil changes recommended by the factory for every 900 gallons of fuel used--low wear long life. So an experienced boat. Point being other than the complexity of a folding prop how well do you think my current 34 inch 3 blader-5% more efficient than my 32 incher is going to do sailing. Sort of like dragging a garbage can behind the boat I suppose. Efficient Trawlers have large props, sailboats have small props. Making windage from sticks and sailing efficiency from prop and appature size reduces range increases fuel usage and isn't that beyond a "get home system" that all this babble about motorsailers is focused at. JOLIE --------------------------------- Looking for earth-friendly autos? Browse Top Cars by "Green Rating" at Yahoo! Autos' Green Center.

> Point being other than the complexity of a folding prop how well do you > think my current 34 inch 3 bladed-5% more efficient than my 32 incher is > going to do sailing. I think that dragging a 34" none folding prop through the water will cost you approximate 4% on either speed or fuel - you choose. I base this on my estimates of drag from two paravanes and comparing their in the water and out of the water performance. I think you also touch on an interesting point in your note about fuel usage. Many of us multiply out the numbers that tell us how much fuel is going to cost for a trawler. Depending on the boat and the location of the fuel purchase the numbers work out to the range of US$ .05/ mile to US$ 2.00/ mile for trawlers. With the cost of a new set of sails at $25,00 to $75,000 it could pay for enough fuel to last until another new set of sails is required. My point is simply that the cost of fuel is NOT a swing issue for cost in a modern trawler. There are many items on the annual cost list that are much more important. May you have smooth waters - Regards, John N4657 - World Odd @ Sea