Crippled, We Sail Homeward from Beaver Island in July, '23

Many would be very fortunate to have our troubles...
Plans to sail further north curtailed by an unreliable auxiliary drive, we sail down Lake Michigan.
das Boot: Island Packet 485

[@boomerantics9586]

In the opinion of my aging eyes, better quality of this and other videos can be seen under the same channel name on rumble.

[@Warerdog24]

Seens early to pull the boat . We always use frist Friday in May to frist Friday in October. Good luck

[@boomerantics9586]

It is early, Bill, but our vacation is at its end. Fair winds!

[@Warerdog24]

@@boomerantics9586 I understand I have been lucky and only live 7 miles from the boat on Lake Michigan so sailing is a weekly activity.

[@johnbeck2797]

I'd love to see your actual track.

[@boomerantics9586]

Thank you, John! I would too! 😄 I’m sure there’s a way to transfer the track from the electronics or derive something from the log but inept is my middle name when it comes to all things tech. It’s something I’m overdue to figure out. Thanks again and have a dandy day!

[@RameyFamily]

How fast does the wind need to be before you can stop motoring

[@boomerantics9586]

Hello again, Ramey Family. It’s a bit difficult to answer objectively as much depends on your hurry. I know sailors who motor if their speed over the ground drops below 3.5 - 4 kts and that speed may vary depending on the point of sail for any given true wind speed and the sea state. For a boat like this, however, 8 - 10 kts of wind will keep you moving and 10 -12 kts will move you with some alacrity.

[@RameyFamily]

@@boomerantics9586 thanks. I’m looking into an IP485 and I was wondering if it was gonna need a Solent rig with a 170 instead of a cutter rig I’m also concerned about the aluminum fuel tanks and the chain plates being fiberglass we in. You know, IP stuff. But it’s a big purchase so I’m trying to ask other owners how they feel about it

[@boomerantics9586]

@@RameyFamily Hello, Ramey Family. The chainplates and fuel tank are valid concerns and will depend largely on how well the boat's been cared for. Around the time the 485's went into production the chainplates had been upgraded to an improved and annealed stainless alloy which improved their longevity with, reportedly, no known failures since. Mack Yacht Services specializes in chainplate replacement as well as other IP service work and might be a good resource if you get to that point. As for the rig, I'd approach the 485 as a motorsailer leaning toward sailboat. We had a build slot for a new 439 with an option on one of the first 529's, the warmed over 485/525. Funny enough, among the reasons we canceled our slot was because IP all but refused to build our boat with a cutter rig so you'll get your Solent rig if you buy new. The 529 was to have gone into production in '22 but, to my knowledge, hasn't yet. If buying used, IMHO, for any dubious gain in performance from a hull designed for comfort by attempting to alter the rig, your money would be better spent on a small inventory of specialized sails such as a screecher/code zero, gennaker, etc. that can be hoisted on one of those spare halyards already included with the rig. Best wishes and have a dandy day!

[@RameyFamily]

@@boomerantics9586 yes I was in line for a next gen as well. But the steep price hikes for them are all but taking them off the table for me. Why by a 439 when I can get a lot more boat from a used 485 for half the price. It’s a relief about the chain plates. That’s good news. And I think you are right, a bigger sail would do just fine. I love sailing to places and I hate having my motor running but from what I understand is that it’s a lot more motoring than sailing on ALOT of boats anyways.

[@boomerantics9586]

@@RameyFamily All true! Especially your remark about motoring. I’d be exaggerating grossly but, it seems like we manage to encounter only two wind conditions; dead calms and gales! I’m happy to answer any questions I can, best of lluck in your boat search and fair winds!