A Tip in "Sailing" Your Powerboat...
 

Some suggestions in the thread on "What Are Best Places To Anchor Out on Winni And Enjoy Views?" involved drifting one's powerboat in The Broads. On most any day, more than a few powerboats can be seen doing just that.

Sidebar: As RG stated, watch that your boat doesn't drift away from anyone in the water.

It occurred to me that if the engine's electrics don't fire up—or if ethanol has become an issue with the fuel—that you're kind of stuck "way out there"—and are entirely dependent on outside help. :(

I learned from a page of Navy history that a US submarine (designated "R-14" before the war) ran out of fuel due to "water-contamination". (When would we ever see that?) :rolleye2:

The Captain set "sail" by hanging blankets and mattresses everywhere on the submarine—then sailed for five days back into safe harbor!

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...under_sail.jpg

As a graduate of the U. S. Naval Academy, the Captain and his fellow officers would have been tested on their practical boating knowledge of "sail-power".(Presently only required of licensed boaters in the UK).

Boating "hint" from sailing:

Even without "sails", the direction of your "now-non-powered" powerboat" to a desireable "landfall" can be changed! :) Depending on a few variables, your boat will naturally wind-drift slowly—to one direction or another—along its length. To modify the course your boat is now taking, try tying PFDs (cushions, etc) to your anchor.

Move the submerged "anchor-drag" around your boat to shift the direction your boat would normally take—and to make your choice of destination a non-windy shore. Your boat will now wind-drift (roughly) along its length—allowing you to adjust its destination to a quieter shoreline. :coolsm:

(Not that the "Broads-side" of Rattlesnake Island isn't scenic—'cause it is—it's just not a good "unpowered" destination for your powerboat!) :eek2:

I was sailing a Daysailer II with a good friend and the wind picked up to a wicked level. It was strong enough to damage the main so we took the sails down and made excellent time "sailing" on just the hull and rigging. By leaving the keel down, we could maintain progress on a point of sail between a broad reach and a beam reach, as needed, and I'd guess we maintained at least 2-4 knots. It was fun. Fortunately, our destination was roughly downwind.