Is it practical to sail engineless or with only a small outboard motor?
After sailing several years with a cantankerous old Atomic 4 gasoline inboard motor which I rarely used, I decided to remove it entirely and sail engine-free. I made this choice for many reasons, including feeling that I was ready to tackle this sport on another level. Sailing alone and engineless seemed the best way to discover whatever it was that I was looking for. By threading my way through the Caribbean, crossing the Pacific and cruising extensively in Southeast Asia without an engine, I proved to myself that it was entirely practical. All thats required are a boat like the Triton that sails well in light air, a sculling oar and an uncommon degree of forethought and patience. On that voyage I stripped my boat of all gadgets down to what I felt were the essentials – at one point even removing the electrical system. That was then. Later, I rejoined the modern world by adding GPS, a SSB transceiver and a 3.5 hp outboard motor that hung on an adjustable stern bracket for use in enter
After sailing several years with a cantankerous old Atomic 4 gasoline inboard motor which I rarely used, I decided to remove it entirely and for a time I sailed engine-free. I made this choice for many reasons, including feeling that I was ready to tackle this sport on another level. Sailing alone and engineless seemed the best way to discover whatever it was that I was looking for. By threading my way through the Caribbean, crossing the Pacific and cruising extensively in Southeast Asia without an engine, I proved to myself that it was entirely practical. All thats required are a boat like the Triton that sails well in light air, a sculling oar and an uncommon degree of forethought and patience. On that voyage I stripped my boat of all gadgets down to what I felt were the essentials – at one point even removing the electrical system. That was then. Later, I rejoined the modern world by adding GPS, a SSB transceiver and a 3.5 hp outboard motor that hung on an adjustable stern bracket f
