Amotorsailer is a type of motor-poweredsailing vessel, typically ayacht, that can derive power from its sails or engine, independently from each other during moderate seas or winds. A motorsailer may have a sail-to-engine power ratio in the range 30/70 to 70/30 (percent sail power/percent engine power).
Most motorsailers are yachts, with motors that can drive them at nearhull speed in moderate seas, and sails that can provide power in moderate breezes without needing to use the engine. They normally have a sheltered steering station, which is likely to be apilot house. The emphasis of such craft is typically comfort at sea and the ability to cruise long distances. The comparative capabilities of the engine and sails are often described as a ratio of sail-to-engine capabilities:[1]
Motorsailers generally havevariable-pitch propellers, necessary to mitigate the drag that derives from their large diameter needed to transmit power to the water.[2]
While a sailing yacht will often be rigged as aBermuda rigged-sloop orcutter (both types having a single mast), the motorsailer will more likely have a multi-mastedsplit-rig sail-plan, such as aketch,yawl orschooner, to provide ease of sail handling and better balance of forces in heavy weather.[2]
Motorsailers offer the following advantages over conventional auxiliary sailboats:[2]
Authority control databases: National |
|---|