You know, I thought it would be a big problem as well when we switched from
sail to power.  However, I discovered the less comfortable cruising
sailboats in the same length range use from 60 to 75% of the fuel we do for
the same speed under power -- and they motor a LOT of the time (typically
75%, from the few folks I feel are being candid).  We almost NEVER see
cruising sailboats sailng here on the Chesapeake Bay -- either there's not
enough wind, or the wind is on the nose, or they're trying to make a
specific port or anchorage before dark (or before they're exhausted), or
whatever.  Don't get me wrong, sailing is a HUGE thrill -- when you're out
for the day and the wind is great and you just don't care where you're
going or how long it takes you to get there.  I miss it a LOT -- enough to
actively figure out how to put a Laser-type, board-boat on board for
sailing around the anchorages, BUT for cruising, the trawler makes a LOT of
sense compared to a cruising sailboat -- at least in a coastal environment.
Cruising sailboats are also VERY expensive -- our friends (Gozzard,
Shannon, Morris, Hardin, etc.) have spent from as much as we did to as much
as twice what our boat cost for boats that aren't nearly as comfortable
(though, I admit, they ARE beautiful!).

Another thought on fuel costs.  Our fuel bills for 3 solid months of summer
(underway or at anchor -- propulsion engine plus genset  -- total of 400
gallons) are LESS than the fuel bills to heat our house (in the Washington
DC area) for the 5 months of winter (600 gallons if it's mild, 750 gallons
if it's typical).  Fuel costs are a small cost of the total operational
bill, even if you don't count the "goodies" we seem to be addicted to
adding each year.

• Bryant Vann
  M/V Salty Lady, KK42
  Galesville, MD --> on the Chesapeake Bay

Everyone does it differently, but when you get right down to it,
anecdotal evidence appears to indicate that those who sail spend almost
as much on fuel (diesel, propane, gasoline, oil) as those who own
trawlers.  A couple of weeks ago I posted the expenditures of two
families who live aboard and cruise extensively.  The couple that are
completing a four year circumnavigation in a 44 foot sailboat and cruise
about 7000 miles per year have spent an average of $75 per month on fuel.
The other couple who cruises about 6000 miles a year in a 46 foot
trawler spend about $100 per month on fuel.

The comparison of these two budgets appears to verify Bryant Vann's
estimation that fuel costs for sailboats is about 60 to 75% for those of
a trawler.  And depending on how much you cruise per year, that
difference may be only $300 per year or less.

Something else to consider is that most of the time you can get to your
destination quicker in a trawler since you can take a more direct route
as compared to the sailing vessel.  I forget where I read this, but
someone estimated that a power boat reaches it's destination about 20%
sooner than a comparable sailboat under typical conditions.

Whether you choose power or sail, it's a great life out on the water.
And it's a big ocean with more than enough room for everyone.

tempus fugit
Patrick
the Galatea project

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As an addendum to my previous post, fuel costs for a trawler can be
minimized if you select a fuel efficient hull.  Full displacement hulls
tend to be more fuel efficient than semi-displacement hulls.  It is also
important to operate that trawler at sailboat speeds of about 6.5 to 7.5
knots if you want to achieve real fuel efficiency.  A full displacement
trawler with single engine will burn about 2 to 4 gallons per hour
depending on speed.  A semi-displacement trawler with twin engines will
burn twice that amount or more because of the higher potential speeds of
the semi-displacement hull.  A good reference for comparing fuel use of
various trawler models is the Power Boat Guide by McKnew and Parker.

Bryant Vann's estimation that a sail boat will use 60 to 75% of the fuel
of a power boat is only true if you are comparing to a full displacement
trawler with single engine operating at about 7 knots - like the Krogen
42 I think Bryant owns.  If you compare a semi-dispalcement trawler with
twin engines to the sailboat then the trawler may burn 2 or 3 or more
times the amount of fuel as the sailboat.

Yes, "fuel consumption is a huge negative" may be true ........DEPENDING
on what you are comaring to.

So the point is, one can achieve a reasonable fuel use in a trawler by
(1) choosing your hull carefully, (2) utilizing a single engine, and (3)
holding that speed down.

tempus fugit
Patrick
the Galatea project

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