BC23 & Electric Outboards

[MarkDarley]

I am constantly astonished by the number of perfectly good SAILING vessels motoring past Dartmouth and indeed up and down the coast, even when there is a sailing breeze and its midday. Apparently no one is willing to go less than 6 knots these days.

[Nicky R]

We noticed that when we were on the Dart. Very few boats seemed to sail anywhere. It’s the same on the east coast. Lots of people motor down the rivers, even when the wind would be favourable for sailing (force 3+ and in a good direction).

Not sure we’ll often take the Roger Barney’s approach in Sulis when we’re not raiding, but we do enjoy gently making progress in a light breeze, and also know if all else fails she can be paddled for short distances!

[Sea Simon]

My BRex sails very well on the smallish deep sided "Ria" that is River Fowey (D Lugger did NOT- one good reason it was sold)

However, on the water post-covid and in the new era of cheap/disposable water craft, we are quite literally overrun with visitors (known as "emmets" hereabouts), the majority apparently with almost zero nautical skills/experience and no idea of water-etiquette, let-alone rule of the road!
Think idiots on SUP boards/kayaks, with boom-boxes strapped to the board!!!

...and then there are the renta-boats (see above!) and often driven by children, as they would a fairground bumper car.

Makes sailing in the river in high season very stressful indeed.

Sometimes I'm grateful to have a noisy IC petrol outboard.
God know what they'd be like if they couldn't hear me coming?
Either sailing or with an electric outboard?