Motorsailer or Sailer ?

I've been looking at buying my first large yacht 45 to 50ft, after looking at several i was in a steel roberts 49ft sloop and i found a recent survey report,which said it was a motorsailer but i couldn't tell the diffence between it and the others i've looked at. How do i tell the diffence when they don't tell you with out getting my own survey done.I'm guessing its how high the mast is and sail area but i couldn't see it.

 

The term "motorsailor" can be somewhat misleading.

They can range from a sailing/auxillary with a hard dodger & slightly bigger than normal engine, to a trawler with a small set of sails used mainly for thier steadying effect.

What one might call a 50/50 (a "true") motorsailor, would be, in my opinion, the Robert's "Pacific Coast Fisherman 40". Even this leans slightly to the trawler side.

Take care.

TGoz

 

MotorSailer or Sailor?

I might suggest you type the word "motorsailer" into the search function on this forum site and I think you will be amazed at the amount of subject matter it will bring up :!:

 

If you are not able to evaluate a boat sailing capacity from a simple look, you should needed more education before make such huge investment like buying 50 fts boat. I will suggest reading the book “The nature of boats” by Dave Gerr as beginning. The motorsailers are very well featured there. Also some experience could help.

CapKos

 

Please CapKos, don't be so negative. The gentleman 's appearance on this website indicates he's trying to get some of that education. We don't want to thwart enthusiasm to entering boating, be it whether he can afford large or small.

 

I am sorry for the misunderstanding. I am not negative, just in contrary, reading Dave Gerr is the best way to become nautically obsessed.

Be happy,
CapKos

 

With todays lightweight construction and lightweight engines a 50/50 is no longer the "answer" , a 90/90 becomes within reach.

ALL the superb sailing of a good modern sail boat , less 10% for the weight of the added fuel.

ALL the ability to maintain a high percent of hull speed in adverse weather and long range , less 10% for the windage of the sticks and weight of the keel.

FAST FRED

 

CapKos,
Maybe you'd be interested in having a look at:
http://www.xente.mundo-r.com/motorsailers/index.htm
Cheers,
Guillermo