For one, lets not get into a flame war, but yea, I have seen the motor culture has really gotten a bit out of hand out there. I one time mentioned to my harbormaster how I wanted to move my boat to a slip that would be a little easier to sail off the doc from and he looked at me in horror. Sad that less than 100 years ago, everyone sailed without engines and never thought anything wrong with it. That being said. Most sailors knew what to do in a storm or other situations that these days would have them calling the coast guard. I wouldn't call it being lazy, I would call it inexperienced in just what to do in a dangerous situation and not have the motor option. There is a lot of very good literature out there about emergency sailing situations and just what to do if it gets a little too rough out there for you. Most people however, are not that ocd about sailing and use their sails for just looking pretty on the water while out for the day. Sailing is dangerous, but no more than driving a car IMHO. We however, drive cars every day all the time and I would say most of us know what to do in most emergencies just from all the experience we rack up though our driving lives. Most people can't say they have those kind of sailing hours, even the most avid of sailors out there. I don't have remotely enough sailing hours and I would never call myself an expert or even experienced enough to go solo. (Not for a lack of trying however.) But I do have a few books, a lot of well experienced friends a collection of storm sails and gear. I would like to think I could weather a good storm on my anchor for a few hours, but you never know and you have to be prepared for the worst. I would ask this though, go up to your local "Sea tow" guy and ask him/her what is the most common reason he gets a call for a tow. He will probably tell you "engine trouble." Penelope L. McFadin lux libertas et caritas http://chaosbutterf http://www.cafepres 29N32'32.45" 95W2'12.58"
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