Stinkpot or Ragbag?

[cs]

What is your choice?

Chad

[Donn]

Chad, you need to add "both" to the options.

[cs]

Not both Donn, want to know what your preference is, not what you have.

Chad

I made this public, so if you click on the number you will see who choice what.

[Rick Starr]

Having just finished building and now enjoying a delightful power boat, I confess, sheepishly, that I'm still a dyed-in-the-wool sailor--perhaps now moreso than ever.

[Uncle Duke]

Correct that it would be nice to know if the survery was "what do you have" vs "what would you like to have".... different answers, sadly....

[Gresham CA]

I own both but that wasn't an option.

[MuddyFeet]

Own both. Like both. Passionately. :-)

[ssor]

Have never really considered a power boat except as very shallow draft gunkhole boat.

[uncas]

I think everyone knows where I stand..puff...puff...
I feel a breeze coming.

[Dave Lesser]

Hey, what about the rowboats?

[Bob Adams]

I'm evil, not only am I a power boater...it's a production boat. Let the flaming begin!

[bamamick]

if I had my way I probably wouldn't even own a sailboat with a motor. I have been in more trouble having to depend on a motor in a sailboat than I have ever been with the sails up.

Mickey Lake

[PeterSibley]

For me the absence of motors is bliss

[Charlie Santi]

I like row, paddle, power, and sail.
Charlie

[Canoeyawl]

I love engines; My work is heavy diesels all day, every day … If I took a “cylinder count” it would be embarrassing, shocking in fact, cars, trucks, motorcycles, antique one lungers, tractors, you name it.
However, when I am sailing, engines are the furthest things from my mind; I hate them! The smell, the noise, the grime and pollution, obviously it’s a love–hate relationship, LOL
Engines have their place, but I would rather drift around for an entire day or row for hours instead of resorting to that. BUT - for my little sailboat, a tiny seagull (yup!), ugly, awkward to get to hidden in an airtight locker, but always reliable and wonderful when you’re life depends on it - gets me by!

[Doug Wood]

{I like row, paddle, power, and sail.}

yup

[Tar Devil]

I like 'em all, but my preference would be for power 'cause I like poking around the shallow waters of the North Carolina tidal creeks.

Later,

Phil

[adampet]

Hmmm...lost that reply somehow, must have hit the wrong button. I think the poll needs a third option: Rowing. And possibly a fourth:Paddling

[paladin]

I love sail...the sounds, the smells...and lack of mechanical noise except for the halyards.....
all that said...Tana Mari is my first built with an engine....and with my health and a DAMN BIG BOAT...it's a lot of work to solo...where about 95% of my sailing seems to be...so I have been seriously looking at power, sorta like a little tug....or somewhat like a 30 foot Devlin Czarinna but spread out to a 12 foot beam......then....Last week with Ian's new boat I started thinking Puddy Tat boats...and since I have a 27.5 foot by 12.5 "tug" hull drawn...started punching numbers that say if I drop the keel about a foot, add 6500 pounds of ballast, add a single spar to carry about 600 square feetz of sail, sorta single mast marconi, maybe with a camberspar, no centerboard...it might make a nice catboat...buy with about 35-40% of the room I have now....probably staying in the U.S. this time it would be easier to find a hole to park, lots cheeeper, less maintenance and the shallow draft makes the cruising possibilities endless, especially in the caribbean...sorta think my world cruising days may be coming to a screeching halt..

[Wild Dingo]

awww come on now Chuckster!! you gots plenty of sea miles left in you ol son! just gotta work it out is all... meds docs specialists etc etc are available... and mate you bein an ol reprobate of a viking fella what better way to head into Valhalla than sailin off into the mists of time eh? :cool:

Me? Well Ive had a stinker didnt like it one iota had a canoeythingy and loved it and want a sailboat but gotta build it... when I finally figure out WHICH friggin one!! :mad:

Hey I started both the weekender and valgerda... sigh... but then I scrapped them since I dont think theyre the size I want... too small see? need somethin a tad bigger say around 22 - 30ft would be about the ducks knuts I reckon ;) (of course Im leavin plenty of leeway there choices dontcha know needs choices!! :) )

[paladin]

Shane.....Build SUMTHIN'....then go sailing...build something bigger..later...life is too short for procrastination...

[Gary Bergman]

Hmm...Isn't one just the other after you are dismasted?

[waters'l]

You just can't go wrong with getting something for nothing on a sailboat.

Just different mindsets:

A powerboater guest on a sailboat asked, "when do we get there?" The captain replied, "We already are."

[Tom Lathrop]

I voted for the stinkpot. Not because I like them better but because motorboats were getting a bad rap. Both have their beauty and best uses. I live on the ICW and watch masses of snowbirds with their sailboats on their way south and north every year. Some of these boats never take the boom cover off for the whole trip. Many would enjoy the trip much better in a powerboat, which is what they have, just a bad powerboat.

Most of the time, I'd rather sail, which is why we often work our way to our dock up a creek rather than crank up.

[John Bell]

I really don't have a preference for either, 'cuz I like sailing and powerboating. Each activity is equally satisfying, just in different ways. I voted power becuase that's what I've been doing the most over the last 5 years. That and I find the pretension that sailing is somehow "better" than other kinds of boating a little off-putting. ;) Getting out on the water in anything is way better than not getting on the water at all.

[Phil Heffernan]

I want 2 boats: One to sail, the other to power...The yin & yang of being on the water...Simple...

PH

[ron ll]

Like a lot of Puget Sounders, I started out racing sailboats. When I finally figured out racing was a lot of work just to get back to where you started, I evolved to cruising sailboats. When I finally figured out that cruising sailboats in the islands around here is mostly motoring thru narrow passages with strong currents, I evolved to a powerboat. :) But truely, my heart is still with sailing.

[John B]

I'm going with motor because there's not enough votes there.( but we have a 4 or 5 hour night sail planned for tonight and I just snuck down at lunchtime and got all the covers off, ran the motor, checked the nav lights,......)

[Alan D. Hyde]

Sail for long distance cruising or unhurried gunkholing.

Power for water skiing or for a reliable trip across a midwestern lake with fluky winds.

Alan

[willmarsh3]

I like sail but sometimes getting somewhere and not hearing about it from SWMBO for a week a motor is required. But I'm not interested in owning a boat that doesn't have sails. The only exception would be something like Bolger's Tennessee with an electric motor and solar panels. I'm referring to a similar boat that was featured in Woodenboat recently.

Will

[dmede]

I like motors, but my interest tends towards motor boats with sail boat character if that makes any sense. I like old inboard wood boats like the Poulsbo or some of the Atkin inboard designs. Very salty looking power boats, kinda like an old farm tractor on the water.

I do however get the slightest tinge of raw excitment when I imagine being on the water under sail. I've just never been sailing.

[cs]

I guess I could have included the others, I also own 2 canoes and the advantage that canoes offer is the fact when the wind don't blow you can still make progress.

But be that as it may, it appears that sail is taking a commending lead.

Chad

[uncas]

I don't think it matter which one a person prefers. The key is, do they use the one(s) they have and enjoy it (them).
Regardless, if the boat sits collecting garbage on the waterline for three or four months, it doesn't matter what it is.
Last summer, when I had a bit of a garboard problem, I was in a marina for two weeks. Weather was great. I saw ten boat owners in two weeks. Not one boat, sail or power, went out.
No that is rediculous! No sense having a boat of any kind.

[Doug Wood]

I was in a marina for two weeks. Weather was great. I saw ten boat owners in two weeks. Not one boat, sail or power, went out.
No that is rediculous! No sense having a boat of any kind.

Amen to that. The mooring field I'm in has hundreds of boats. Other than the racing fleet folks, the majority of boats just sit idle. Frankly, it's sad.

[Trog]

Damn. Took me about 8 posts just to figure out what the hell you guys were talking about. :(

Me: Ragbag
Wallet: Stinkpot

:D

[uncas]

Trog
Are you saying a powerboat is cheaper at 3.00/gal min?
I must have missed something.

[Trog]

No, no, no. Out here relatively few stinkers are wood. They're plastic.

On that note, it seems every time I glance at my woody sailboat I find something new (and $$) to take care of. This week I discovered the deck lifting from the uppermost plank on the starboard stern quarter. Making about a 4' long, half inch wide crack.

So basically, I was just bitchin' and moanin'. It'll stop when I next raise the main. :D

[rufustr]

Stinkboat.
I have thought a lot about this because I want to be able to use a boat conveniently. Workboat character. Utilitarian finishes. Putt Putt not speed. Indoard diesel. Shallow draft and trailerable so that a variety of sheltered waterways can be used. Bring it home so security and maintainance are convenient. Stand up straight on deck and in main cabin.
MOST IMPORTANT.:D IT MUST BE WOOD.:)

[uncas]

Trog
Yup, there is always something that needs to be repaired ( or replaced ) on a wooden boat..whether power or sail.
Then again, there is something about wood!
Just bought a new sail...luckily I got winter rates on the price. Also, am having an emblem put on the asymetrical..So, there are expenses that have nothing to do with the wood. There are obviously other factors and expenses to be taken into account.

I find it interesting. When I do my topsides...sanding and then painting. Everyone comments to me that the idea is not to make it look like wood. No seams showing. As in a glass boat and yet
I see an awful lot of glass boats that have been built specifically to show seams. So, glass boats are being built to give the appearance of being wood and wood boats are being maintained to look as though they are glass.
My brother inherited my father's house in Cooperstown. Now he has two houses and a boat. Came to realize that he just does not have the time to be three places at once.
He is selling the boat. I know he is gritting his teeth but he knows that there is no sense having a boat if he doesn't use it that much. I, for whatever reason, don't have his problems.

Ummm.

ps... I sense that I am one of the few who actually has the time to get out and enjoy sailing. Last year, 7 months away from home..This year, well, not quite so long but I figure 5 months at least. I guess I feel that the money I spend is worth it.
So damn'd the expense...full sail!

[cs]

It appears that the windbags have taken a commanding lead, 81%.

Chad

[uncas]

Chad
With gas on the highways potentially hitting 4.00, ( add another .30 for maine gas ) this summer, there may be more windbags than you think.

I still stand by my earlier comment. No matter what boat you have, if you don't use it, it doesn't matter. If it sits there collecting flotsom, you ain't using it and you may as well sell it.

[RonW]

And with my vote for motor, the poll stands at 79% sail and 21% motor. Interesting, there are a lot of sailors on the board.
I think it would be interesting to find out among the sailors how many are inland sailors and how many are coastal or sea going.
If I lived on the caost I would have a sailboat too, but would have to get someone to teach me how to make it go.

[Lew Barrett]

A hopefully wry injection: every politician in the country (well almost every....well, we think every.....OK, we hope) was elected by a majority.

I enjoy all well designed boats, power or sail, but own a power boat because that's what makes sense to us for our kind of boating. Our boat, at 22 tons deadweight, can transport 5 people in comfort over 1000 miles without a fuel stop sipping less than 2 GPH at 8.4 knots. She's not the absolute zenith of efficiency, but considering her size and her speed potential, she's darn good. AT 7 knots, we're under 1.5 GPH. At 9 Knots, things begin to change quickly.
The mechanics of efficiency have been known for the better part of a century, and the "improvements" in hull form have mostly been about getting more speed, with maybe a nod to a softer ride. But our old woodies ride softly and sweetly already. Here's to long, narrow boats with sweet lines and fair hulls however they're rigged!

[Venchka]

Grinning my A@% off! Anybody notice the color of the bars? The red bars are way ahead! :D One of you Libral Types better call CNN! :eek:

[uncas]

Only sailed Stars and turnabouts of inland lakes. Everywhere else...salt water.

[SteveFaehnle]

I've built two CLC kayaks, a nutshell pram and an Arch Davis "Jack Tar". I like the wood part the best.