Very underpowered bayfield sailboat

I’m looking for real-world feedback from sailors with experience running underpowered auxiliaries. I have a 1984 Bayfield 32C (approx. 32 ft LOA, ~26 ft LWL, ~9,000–10,000 lb displacement) currently equipped with a Yanmar 1GM 7.5 hp diesel. The engine is extremely well-maintained and runs like new, but I’m concerned about whether it’s realistically adequate for maneuvering and making way in coastal British Columbia, specifically around North Vancouver, Indian Arm, and occasional trips into the Georgia Strait where wind-against-tide and currents are common. I understand hull speed and that this is an underpowered setup on paper; I’m trying to determine from actual experience whether this is something people successfully live with through good seamanship and tide planning, or whether it becomes a constant limitation or safety concern in practice. Any insight on speeds, docking control, or “no-go” conditions would be hugely appreciated. Currently the propellor on the boat is a two blade.

 

My boat Serenity lives on Indian Arm. Running against a full tide, 7.5 hp will make some headway, but not a lot. Enough. Against tide and a good wind, no. However if you have strong wind, perhaps you could sail your sailboat.

 

What size is your boat?

 

John's boat is a 26' long power boat with a 10' beam.

 

Sounds like id be struggling more than he is. What are your thoughts on my dilemma?

 

Hard to evaluate your variables.

Why not take it out for a spin and see how you feel about it?

 

"I’m a very confident sailor so I don’t plan on using the engine much."

Take it out and sell it. ( The engine I mean. )

 

It’s got a lot of growth on it so I don’t think I’ll be confident with my consensus. It’s also in Nanaimo and I’m based in deep cove. I’m gonna book a haul out there and do a bottom paint there.

 

Deep Cove, North Arm or Deep Cove, Saanich Inlet?
Probably North Arm. I'll be there Friday.

 

Deep cove north Vancouver, yes my family has a house on panorama. We grew up there I come from a power boat family I converted to sail after leaving deep cove on a 80s
31 ft hunter and sailing all the way to Panama with some buddy’s.

 

Eventually yes. Im 27 so funds are very slow coming. I got the boat for 7800. I think it’s a fair deal if not a great one. I’m in contact with the son of the man designed the bayfield, hopefully he’ll give me some good information.

 

If sailing is your objective with the boat then sail it as is and see how it goes.
I'd be tickled pink to have an underpowered sailboat.

 

@Good ship, if you're on Panorama you've seen my boat.

 

It is a constant limitation you have to live with, and it leads to a different type of sailing. One where you weigh anchor at 3AM to have the mid day tide where you want it, especting the fact that your ETA can vary by 12h on a short trip, etc. You need to plan your trips as if the vessel was engineless, the only thing the engine will give you is a few degrees more to windward (the combination will be less then a modern fin keel under sail alone).
The most challenging thing is going to be docking single handed in high winds, and there's only one solution for that, practice until you know what the boat is going to do and recognizing when you can't do it and ask for help or stand off. You need to learn all the stuff about using springs and other shorelines that's described in old books, and again practice. Also practice anchoring under sail, and even docking, altough most marina's don't allow it.

Safety concern is current without wind, that can land you on rocks.

It's up to you to decide if you can live with the limitations. Some people are fine with it, some say it's frustrating.
If it's to frustrating you can upgrade to a 25-30hp engine. Cheapest option is the good old Atomic 4 with a separate gearbox, if you can live with a gasoline main engine.

 

Sailboat Data notes that the Bayfield 32C has a rig that is taller than what was normally fitted to these yachts - 662 sq ft of sail area instead of 432 sq ft, and only 6 boats were built with this tall rig.
BAYFIELD 30/32 - sailboatdata https://sailboatdata.com/sailboat/bayfield-3032/

They also note that the standard engine that was installed was a 21 hp Yanmar.
Many years ago (in the 70's) I sailed on a 32' Van de Stadt Sprinter which had a 7 hp inboard diesel engine which propelled her quite happily in calm weather - against wind and tide would be a different story though.
I also used to sail on an old 54' wooden yacht whose auxiliary was an old 21 hp Yanmar diesel with the shaft coming out of the port side rather than on the centre line, hence there was no propeller wash over the rudder which made manoeuvering in harbours 'interesting'.
It is all quite possible - and it will certainly improve your sailing ability and passage planning skills when you know that you don't have the brute power to blast your way under power past a foul tide and / or a strong head wind.

If you keep the 7 hp diesel, make sure that you have good antifouling, and that you try to keep the bottom fairly clean - even just a layer of slime on a hull bottom will knock 10% off your speed, and a heavy layer of weed will result in the engine working hard, and the boat going nowhere slowly.