![]() Having the experience and knowledge necessary to navigate a sailboat solely by wind power is certainly something to be admired. The crew of these vessels have the skill and confidence necessary to maneuver their boat within anchorages and marinas. There are many world cruising sailboats that do not have a motor. Some sailing catamarans only use a single outboard motor centrally located between the two hulls. Motorized CatamaransĬruising catamarans generally have two motors, one for each hull. However, since inboard motors are often installed prior to deck installation, cutting a portion of the deck away is often necessary when it comes time to replace them. By having the propeller deeper in the water, cavitation is eliminated. This can create ballast and stability for the vessel. Inboard motors are larger than outboard motors of the same horsepower. Controls for the motor are in the cockpit. The propeller operates on a shaft which runs through the hull of the sailboat underneath and connects up to the motor. Inboard motors are generally water cooled and the wastewater exits the boat with the exhaust. Besides the sound, the only evidence of its presence is the water coming out of the exhaust at the stern, or back, of the boat. It is not visible from the outside of the boat. Inboard MotorsĪn inboard motor is a motor that is installed within the sailboat. Replacing an outboard motor is less expensive than an inboard. It is easier to access or remove an outboard motor for maintenance. They do not create drag while sailing since they can be angled it of the water. Outboard motors do have their advantages on small daysailers. After a long seasick night, they were forced to cut their anchor free and seek safe harbor elsewhere. In the close together 3-4 foot waves, their outboard couldn't get enough time in the water to propel the sailboat forward so they could pull their anchor. Steep waves can cause an outboards propeller to rise up to the surface of the water and cavitate which means loss of power for the vessel.Ī couple of friends of mine found themselves in a tight spot a few years back when the weather turned unexpectedly in their anchorage. One major downside to an outboard motor is it's inability to keep the propeller fully in the water in certain conditions. The controls for the outboard motor may be at the motor itself or installed in the cockpit of the sailboat. They are available in two-stroke or four-stroke configuration. ![]() There are both diesel and gasoline outboard motors. By knowing a vessel's hull speed, or maximum speed the hull is designed to travel through the water, the appropriate horsepower can be chosen. They come in a range of various horsepower. There are many different brands of outboard motors. The motor mount allows the outboard motor to be raised or lowered as necessary. Outboard motors are attached to the transom or back of the sailboat using a special motor mount. It is possible for a motorized sailboat, inboard or outboard, pounding into the wind against the current to lose its ability to hold course. A sailboat requires a certain amount of speed to maintain steerage. How effectively the motor moves its vessel through the water is dependent upon sea state, wind direction, and current. There are two configurations of motors on sailboats: inboard and outboard. Sails won't move a boat without wind and I travel the ICW regularly so traffic and currents are often an issue. I'm very thankful for our engine as we would be unable to travel consistently without it. ![]() It is a small, simple, 15 horsepower engine that pushes my sailboat where I need it to go on windless days. My sailboat has an inboard Yanmar engine. While not essential, a motor is very handy to have in tight anchorages and harbors. Exiting a slip on sail power alone can be quite a challenge, so an oar is utilized for the task. However as boats grow in size the necessity of a motor becomes clear for most sailors. They are generally propelled solely by the wind. Small sailboats such as a Hobbie Cat or Sunfish do not have a motor. Sailboats have been around for thousands of years and only recently has it become standard for them to have engines. Dinghy sailboats generally only utilize wind propulsion, as well as sailboats whose owners prefer to go motorless. Coastal cruisers and blue water boats will generally have an inboard engine, while smaller day trip sailboats may only have an outboard motor. On many sailboats it can be nearly impossible to tell if it has a motor from the outside, as long as it is in the water.Ĭruising sailboats will almost always have a motor of some sort. Also, to successfully handle a cruising sailboat with no motor aboard, a great deal of boating experience is necessary. The size, intended use, and age of the vessel all have to be taken into consideration. Do sailboats have motors? That is a really great question! It's a bit of a complicated question as the answer varies from boat to boat.
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