Ahoy Jeff . Thank you for considering your accountability when looking at this on going climate catastrophe.
My experience with sailing a yacht with a diesel auxiliary for recreational use is , if possible, plan your sailing around the weather, when you can sail ! That way you only need the engine to get in and out of the marina . Using your diesel to get some where is a horrible waste.
The math is shocking when you check your MPG . And if you are using diesel to charge your battery's and run your cabin heater and propane to cook your food well …. You know .
Hi Tom - appreciate your insights into traveling by sailboat. We mostly daysail, so our annual fuel usage is quite low. With decent planning and a flexible schedule last summer, we managed to complete a longer cruise on mostly wind power alone. As you note, the MPG is terrible under power, even with a well-tuned engine pushing a slippery hull. And since we’re not full time liveaboards, our electricity demands are easily met by a small solar panel on our dodger. I can’t remember the last time we ran the engine solely to charge the batteries.
By the way, I follow full-time sailor at https://anthropocenesailor.substack.com/ who has expressed similar concerns about the environmental impacts of boating. You might enjoy his take on the intersection of climate and the oceans. All the best to you!
Jeff, Thanks for sharing this. And for raising an important question and mentioning this challenge. Your writing is a great reminder that there's still so much to be done. Hope you're well this week. Cheers, -Thalia
Ahoy Jeff . Thank you for considering your accountability when looking at this on going climate catastrophe.
My experience with sailing a yacht with a diesel auxiliary for recreational use is , if possible, plan your sailing around the weather, when you can sail ! That way you only need the engine to get in and out of the marina . Using your diesel to get some where is a horrible waste.
The math is shocking when you check your MPG . And if you are using diesel to charge your battery's and run your cabin heater and propane to cook your food well …. You know .
Anyway excellent discussion
Take care Be well
Hi Tom - appreciate your insights into traveling by sailboat. We mostly daysail, so our annual fuel usage is quite low. With decent planning and a flexible schedule last summer, we managed to complete a longer cruise on mostly wind power alone. As you note, the MPG is terrible under power, even with a well-tuned engine pushing a slippery hull. And since we’re not full time liveaboards, our electricity demands are easily met by a small solar panel on our dodger. I can’t remember the last time we ran the engine solely to charge the batteries.
By the way, I follow full-time sailor at https://anthropocenesailor.substack.com/ who has expressed similar concerns about the environmental impacts of boating. You might enjoy his take on the intersection of climate and the oceans. All the best to you!
https://www.amazon.com/Long-Way-Bernard-Moitessier/dp/0924486848
Jeff, Thanks for sharing this. And for raising an important question and mentioning this challenge. Your writing is a great reminder that there's still so much to be done. Hope you're well this week. Cheers, -Thalia