Holes in Sailboats

Many of my day daydreams revolve around future long passages across oceans, in fair weather. Such voyages would obviously require a safe vessel, with a solid hull, well maintained rigging, reliable engine and plenty of food. at times my current boat, a 1986 LM 32 is the platform. Other times I build the fantasy around my Holy Grail, Ultimate Sailboat; The Gemini 105. I’m neither a mono-hull nor a multi hull proponent, but the 105 checks a lot of boxes in my case. Further explained in this article.

regardless of the boat, at some point my thoughts reach the “holes in the hull” chapter. Starting with my current boat, I reflect on all those holes. In the bow is an unused thru-hull originally used to purge the holding tank where such procedures are permitted. Slightly further aft, at the head is another thru-hull for the sink, one to draw in lake-water to flush the head, and another one higher up serves as the shower drain. Continuing aft is another thru-hull for the galley sink, a humongous hole for the Saildrive, which luckily includes the engine water intake, at least reducing the hole count by one. another thru-hull just aft of the saildrive is the water intake for the air conditioner. At the stern we have another two thru-hulls for the scupper hoses from the cockpit. Are all these holes necessary? I can think of a few ways to omit at least some of them. Obviously the one in the bow can be glassed over as it’s not even connected to anything. The shower pump could be routed to the bilge, where the bilge pumps would take over. (Bilge pump outlets are all in the stern, above the water line.) The water intake for the head can also be glassed over as my head doesn’t need it. My biggest hole reduction modification will sound a bit crazy to most though. Removing the inboard, sail drive and everything and instead relying on two outboards. One four stroke, one electric, (which angled can also serve as a stern thruster.) This always circles me back to the Gemini 105, with ample space for up to three outboards after removing the inboard.

Continuing on, function over form wins my internal debate and I consider replacing the water intake thru-hull for the air conditioner, with a hose to throw overboard when in use. Theoretically, one could reduce the thru-hulls to the two sink drains only. On most boats the scuppers could be re-engineered to exit through the transom like most modern sailboats.

Engines and Motors

One night, in my early twenties, I found myself sleeping in the doghouse, which in my case was a garage with a project “classic” from 1970. Like project cars with carburetors do, it smelled of gasoline, oil and grease. I woke up in the morning with a piercing headache and a slight nausea. Probably due to the alcohol consumption the evening before, but I will forever associate it with the aroma from the garage that seemed to linger in my nostrils for weeks after.

I believe this experience is why I have an aversion to sharing my living space with a fuel consuming, smoke spewing machine. Not that I have any complaints about my current diesel with a 55 Gallon fuel tank, providing incredible range. Even though there are hoses, filters, fuel shutoff and other gas plumbing, I honestly don’t smell it at all, -with my nose. Inside my brain is another story though.

Reading articles about electric conversions had me excited for a couple of years, but the size of battery bank required for any range beyond a few hours makes it cost prohibitive. (At this time.)

The closest I can get to my ideal setup is probably a couple of outboard engines. A 15 HP gas motor would probably be an adequate replacement for my 18 HP diesel, with the extra boost of a 5 HP electric outboard when fighting current or hard wind. The electric outboard could even serve as a stern thruster if angled 90 degrees to the side.

To me at least, this brings multiple advantages; Redundancy, ease of replacement, reduction of thru-hulls and larger holes as well as maneuverability. (My LM 32 completely ignores the rudder position under one-and-a-half knots, either forward or reverse.)

Sailboat “Snowbirding”

One of my more realistic options for future adventures is the idea of bringing my floating cottage with me south for the winter. Part of me thinks I can rationalize this idea with cost savings, and correctly done this is most likely quite realistic. My current trusty old LM 32 is more than capable of the challenge.

Looking at the options in regards to routes, the notion of sailing through the Great Lakes to Chicago and taking the Mississippi river down to the gulf is very appealing to me and would provide the “Great Loop” experience as well.

In Ontario, where I live, we can leave the country for seven months without having to take any other steps than when going on a short vacation. In my case, leaving the country happens somewhere around Sault Sainte Marie, (Which happens to be where I found my LM32.) before traversing Lake Michigan down to Chicago. The return to Canada is at the eastern end of Lake Ontario, so technically seven months absence from Canada gives me at least eight months to complete the Great Loop.

While most Canadian snowbirds on boats head through the canals to NYC, there is also the option of taking the Saint Lawrence Seaway all the way from Eastern Lake Ontario to Nova Scotia on Canada’s Atlantic coast. Certainly not the shortest route but one I would like to explore once. This route doesn’t require unstepping the mast at all and is sailable for the majority of the route. Passing through Montreal, Quebec City and a multitude of interesting towns along the way is just icing on the cake.

Becoming a Sailor

Seen as near magicians to some, Sailors seem to have the ability to bend the laws of physics. after all, “They can sail a vessel against the very wind that propels them”. Many believe that sailing is something that requires studying and gradually learning, perhaps intimidating them from pursuing their dreams. While the physics are fascinating and seem to defy nature, operating a sailboat is neither complex nor does it require much knowledge. Honestly, anybody with a slightly technical mindset can take a 25 foot sailboat out for the first time, position it some 500 meters from the nearest obstacle and “figure it out”. I have numerous sailor friends that did exactly that. (On boats 27 feet long all the way up to 35 feet long.) Watching a few You Tube videos or reading a basic tutorial before hand couldn’t hurt but honestly isn’t necessary for everyone. Use your own judgement and don’t even think about blaming us if you crash into a wedding picture in progress on the bow of a $2M yacht.

Becoming a Sailor, Part II

My own path begins where I lived for the most part of growing up, a suburb in the famous archipelago of Stockholm. At the time I didn’t appreciate one of the best cruising grounds in the world, the way I would now. After attending two one-week sailing summer camps, I had sailing more than figured out, but didn’t have much interest in it. In my young years getting “there” quickly was far more important than the transition itself. Water skiing and blasting through the straights was where it was at for me and my friends back in the 1980’s.

Now, an older, much more patient man near a great lake, with no particular place to go. I was invited by a friend to go out for a sail on this boat he just scooped up. (The same fellow mentioned above that learned by heading out on the lake and figuring it out.) It all came back to me in an instant… That special feeling when you “catch” and hold on to that slight breeze on an otherwise calm day. Looking across the water for ripples caused by the next slight breeze to chase after. It took another year or two ’til I managed to justify the cost of owning my own sailboat, but as soon as I felt that slight surge forward in my friend’s boat, I knew I would end up with one of my own.