Powering your Freedom. Diesel, Electric, Oar, ?

[VeloFellow]

While my diesel is being diagnosed and fixed, my mind is wandering.

Hoyt's first Freedom 40 #1 had no motor and OARS.

I don't like to be unable to sail so am thinking about ways to get to open water.

My brothers solution is his inflatable with motor lashed along side.

I read of Hoyt's 40 and thought...

I also have looked at electric options. I found one Freedom 32 converted. Elco has been around for 100 years. Mastervolt is international. Lots of little vendors.
Right now three hours of power with an appropriate prop would have handled all our sailing needs this first month. Mastervolt offers solar recharge and regen, but power from my little F28 and its minimal unshaded deck make me doubt adequate energy. Like the clean. Like the simple...Like one less fuel... (insurance saving without hydrocarbon tank?)
Negatives. Battery Cost and Life. Shorter range than diesel tankage with longer time to refuel. Not enough open deck for sun for solar and inconsistent winds in most of my sailing areas.

Oars: Lowest cost. Fitness producing. Great range. One less fuel. No wiring or plumbing additions...
Negatives: low power output. expensive motor to repair. increased operating beam...
Anyone ever try the oar game? See Hoyt perform???

THe Pardy's did it and described the oar in a[url] Cruising World article in Dec 1980http://books.google.com/books?id=aPLas6 ... ed&f=false[/url].



Magnetic drive..Know where red october is now?

[Goose13]

I just purchased a F33 CK, it has the original engine. I plan on going electric in the next 12 months, I'll let you know how it goes. I expect in the next 5-10 years the battery technology will allow us to store enough energy at a much lower cost than today. I'm also thinking of having oars as well.

[VeloFellow]

Congratulations on moving up to the F33.

Have you picked any systems yet? All electric, Diesel hybrid?
Elco, Mastervolt, ....

Scullmattix- a step toward the chinese oar.

[Goose13]

Right now I'm leaning towards all electric. Since I'm still in the research phase that may change, I'll update the site as I go down this road.

[Mike Holibar]

Word has it that Pardys have been towed on occasion.

[VeloFellow]

Yep, I too have heard the Pardy's accepted tows to get into certain ports and avoid weather. That doesn't defeat the concept.

I have towed motorboats with dead engines with a sunfish clone.
I have sailed boats home with a non functional engine.
I have motored through the doldrums, and had power in a storm, so appreciate the value of the machine?

A hybrid sounds good.

Still planning to try a yuloh.

[Castaway]

The PO fitted a rowlock on the stern of our F35 (UK) CK; and it came with a long oar. Mostly meant as an emergency steering device (I was never strong enough to use it), but one could also scull the boat in calm water. However, I could not put enough power into it to want to try it for any distance.

I once saw a Beneteau 35 with a single our and rowlock,plus sliding seat, fitted on the sugar scoop stern. The ex-Marine racing skipper said he could get a knot or two out of it when the wind dropped away, and the race rules allowed non-motor propulsion.

[midnightsailor]

Congratulationms on your move to the F33 CK, Its a great boat, love mine!