Motorsailers
Courtesy of Bruckmann Yachts
The main saloon of the Bruckmann 50 motorsailer provides great visibility, comfort, and same-level access to the open deck.
• A passive stabilization system, mitigating or
eliminating the need for high-cost, high-maintenance
underwater systems;
• Increased cruising range based on a free and
“green” power source: the wind;
• Reduced fuel consumption when sails can be used
alone or in combination with the engine.
Some of the drawbacks:
• Increased cost and maintenance of masts, stays,
lines, and sails;
• Increased air draft, requiring more frequent bridge
openings;
• Increased draft (in some cases), limiting access to
shallow cruising areas;
• The need to possess basic sailing skills to handle
the rig (although this has been mitigated in some of
the newer boats through automated sailing systems);
• The need to securely stow movable objects below,
since the boat will heel somewhat while using the sails.
I had an opportunity to experience the basic
differences between motorsailers and trawlers while
testing two boats built by Island Packet Yachts. The
PY Cruiser, a power trawler, and the SP Cruiser, the
motorsailer version, are virtually identical with the
exception of the sailing rig.
First, I headed out into Tampa Bay aboard the PY
Cruiser. The boat cruised comfortably at 2800 rpm and
recorded 7. 8 knots, driven by her single 110hp Yanmar
diesel engine. She ran smoothly both upwind and down,
with a moderate amount of roll in 2- to 3-foot waves
directly on the beam. After I had finished taking
photographs of the SP, I transferred from one boat to the
other. I wondered: How much would the sails contribute
to the boat’s speed with the engine running? What
would be the impact on stabilization? How would fuel
consumption be affected?
We only had enough time to test the SP Cruiser under
sail alone for a brief period, but I suspect that with 15
knots or more of wind on the beam or quarter on an
extended course, the engine could be turned off entirely,
and fuel usage would be totally eliminated. It’s also
worth mentioning that a broad-reach course such as
this generates the most uncomfortable motion in a
conventional displacement trawler, requiring an active
stabilization system or great internal fortitude on the part
of the crew. We achieved a boat speed of 5–6 knots
