I’m a confirmed Luddite when it comes to engines on sailboats. The notion of motor sailing is for me an oxymoron. Deep in my bones I know motors are to sailboats as work is to vacation. Sure I like my work but I’d much rather be sailing. Suffice to say engines and I are not on good terms. I trust sails.

But then again the engine was 2 hours old and needs 50 hours of break-in time. Also, it fires up instantly, is almost quiet, and at 75% rpm easily passes 6 kts. And boys with their toys.

Well sacrifices have to be made, so left the dock 2 hours earlier than the wind wakes up, motoring out to the point about 5 nm SW. That was the plan until I spied the Voyager, our local whale watching excursion.

Says I, a whale would be nice to see. So pushed the tiller a bit and chased after Voyager. As she makes 12 kts this of course was a lost cause.

The engine is new and Carl said not to baby her, but I’m timid and keep her at 2300 rpms, making 5.5 kts or thereabouts through 3 foot gently rolling swells. Wind got calmer. I’m pretty sure it was blowing minus something or other.

Above 2000 rpm prop walk became noticeable; that is, I needed to concentrate more than I wanted, so it was time to experiment with sail balance, lashing the tiller, and playing with the rpm.This wasn’t particularly successful. I like to think it was because the only wind was from the engine. Anyways I haven’t zigged, zagged, and circled so much since my first sail. Not counting that time when my buddy was serving rum. One finger of rum is enough for me; somehow he accidentally poured 3 fingers 3 times in a row; claims it was Posideon’s fault. The sacrifices we make. I still hear dolphins laughing.

The wind meekly said hello, so engine off, genoa out. Making a very solid 2 kts. Very quietly.By this time the Voyager and another boat were barely moving. A sure sign a whale or two was about. The fleet was wandering about a bit, west, north, and I tacked in sync.

A few minutes later I heard a blow off on the port quarter; but didn’t see the whale. Another deep breath, turned just in time to see the tail and heard the Voyager crowd ohh-ahh. The whale was louder.

The whale apparently got bored, so when the vhf went on and on about sightings to the south, I had to go.

Heading south, the wind backed more westerly and picked up. As I fancied sailing to Catalina – hmmm, 3 kts, 7 hours there, 5 hours back if the predicted Santa Ana’s came early. No, it’s already 1400, best head back.

Then the fin backs showed up. Whales to the left, whales to the right, whales behind, huffed and puffed. I forgot all about sailing back.Greys and blues are somewhat shy about showing their bodies. Fins give you a fine view. A couple breathes and they arch up baring, well not all, but a great deal more than their cousins do.

Back to sailing.

With little wind, the trick is to stay out of the dead calms. Easy to decide, hard to do. They catch up and imprison you. By 1440, the GPS predicted an 8 PM arrival at the harbor. It is winter and I’d been at this since 0900 and didn’t relish the anticipated cold; maybe just this once I’ll try that engine thingy.

Started with no coaxing, no swearing, just as sweet as can be. Set 2300 rpm; GPS claims 1633 arrival. Not bad. I just love that precise 1630 and 3 minutes. Maybe I’ll try 2500 rpms. Uphill QT slows to 5.6, on the downside 6.1, not bad at all. Ah, what the heck, 2700 rpms is only 75% of max. Now the uphills are 5.9 at worst and on the way down she touches 6.5. ETA is 1554.

A strange thought occurred, perhaps there is some redeeming virtue to these mechanical contraptions.Finally the harbor entrance with its 5 mph limit. MPH? what happened to knots? In any case, in the flat water she way over that. Down come the rpms, once, twice, three times; at 1500 we’re legal. Turn to wind, go to neutral, stow sails, lines and clear for docking.

Power up. Oops almost 4 kts, back down to near idle. Coming to the right angle bend, and for the first time in forever a sail boat is approaching; he’s the stand on guy, so into reverse, a bit of throttle, QT stops on a dime. He passes and we creep around the bend. In a couple minutes QT is snug in her slip.

Only 45 hours more until break-in completed. I might enjoy this. Thanks Carl.