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Do Sailboats Have Motors?

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Last Updated on December 1, 2023 by Boatsetter Team

Most sailboats over the length of 16 feet have some form of auxiliary power. That may be an electric motor or gas-powered outboard. But the larger a sailboat, the more need there is for an engine.

The purpose of a motor on most sailboats is for maneuvering when in the harbor or marina. Sailors also use a motor when loading their sailboat onto their trailers. Of course, all of the above can be done without a motor, but it takes a lot of skill. However, a powered boat sure is nice to have when you’re making a run for safe harbor or when the wind stalls.

What is a sailboat with a motor called?

Most modern sailboats have motors. The type of motor depends on the age of the boat, the size of the vessel, and its purpose. However, there is a class  sailboat called a motorsailer . It has an engine that can move it along at speed without the sails, or only the sails can propel it.

Many older motorsailer designs don’t do very well at either task. Newer designs, however, range from a mere 26 feet to 100 feet or more, and sail and motor equally well, due to modern boat designs and engineering techniques.

Sailors tend to be purists, and although motors are necessary for safety, they want them to be as unobtrusive as possible. Even today’s motorsailers are on board with this philosophy. As we age, hanging over the rail retrieving a loose sail gets less and less exciting, and the appeal of a motor sailor becomes greater.

Do all sailboats have a motor?

No, because many real small sailboats don’t need one, and a paddle will suffice as auxiliary power. Prams, dinghies, small sailboats, and beach cats don’t generally need a motor. This is because they are primarily sailed from the beach. However, small sailboats can benefit from the use of today’s modern electric motors.

Unlike older electric boat motors that require a heavy battery for power, modern electric outboard motors have self-contained batteries. This fact makes using them a breeze. The problem with them is the battery doesn’t have enough juice to last more than a few hours.

That is okay if you are in a dinghy, but in a larger sailboat that may go out past the horizon, you want a motor that will get you back home.

What types of motors do sailboats have?

There are four distinct types of marine engines and thrusters, too.

1. Gas outboard engines

As already mentioned, gas outboards are used primarily for boats less than 30 feet in length. They are convenient because they cause no motor odor in the cabin , and you can replace them quickly if they fail. These motors range from three horsepower up to over 50 horsepower for some sailboats. Gas outboards have been used on sailboats for over 50 years, and they will continue to be used for years to come.

2. Diesel engines for sailboats

Diesel engines are the power of choice for sailboats . They are reliable, efficient, and relatively quiet. Diesel sailboat motors range from a tiny nine-horsepower unit, for smaller boats, up to about 125 horsepower, which is enough power for all but larger motorsailers and sailboats.

Until the 1970s, the most common inboard diesel for sailboats was Universal’s Atomic 4. However, since they closed their doors, several companies have worked to fill the marine engine niche. These companies include John Deer, Kubota, Yanmar, and Westerbeke, who still makes parts for the Atomic 4. All of them make marine diesel engines for small and large sailboats.

3. Electric motors for sailboats

Electric outboard motors have been mentioned for use on prams, dinghies, and other small craft. However, due to trial and error, electric motors have been designed to power sailboats larger than dinghies and trailer sailors. Like diesel motors, electric motors are placed in the lower section of the boat and connected to a shaft and propeller . Connected to a large bank of batteries that can be recharged with solar panels, a wind generator, or a hydro generator, an electric motor is used for maneuverability around the harbor and marina.

Using a purely electric motor for a sailboat has limitations due to the inability to store or generate enough power to motor for hours at a time. Due to this small storage capacity, they can only be used for a short time before they need to be recharged.

4. Hybrid electric power for sailboats

Combining the attributes of diesel power with the clean energy of electricity , hybrid-electric power plants, aka diesel-electric power, is the best of both worlds. With this type of power in your sailboat, power is almost free and endless. Note I said, virtually, because the diesel tank does need to be filled occasionally.

Hybrid electric power uses an electric motor to power your boat and a small diesel engine to charge the bank of batteries. When combined with solar panels and other methods of battery recharging, hybrid-electric power is becoming standard on new production sailboats and as conversions on older sailboats.

5. About those thrusters

The motor no one sees, bow thrusters are a great aid when docking or putting your boat on a trailer. Once only seen on sailboats over 50 feet in length, bow thrusters are a significant aid when docking and maneuvering around other craft in the harbor. They are now available for boats as small as 25 feet in length.

Types of sailboats

Motorsailers were mentioned above, but hull types have not been, and there are three main types of hulls for sailboats. They are the monohull , which means just what it says; the boat has one hull and usually just one motor. However, some large motorsailers often sport two engines.

Catamaran sailboats have two hulls, and many of those over 30 feet in length has two engines. Two engines are great for the redundancy of systems. Still, it is an added expense because it costs more to maintain two motors than one.

The next type of sailing vessel you will see in small and extremely large versions is the trimaran, which has three hulls. However, three hulls do not equate to three engines, and they generally have only one inboard motor for boats over 30 feet. Smaller trimarans use outboard motors for power or no power at all.

The cost of owning a sailboat

Small sailboats that can fit on a trailer and get hauled to the water have a low cost to own. In addition, general maintenance is not very expensive . Any care that you need to do is usually within the scope of sailboat owners with moderate skills with tools.

However, when you get into the realm of diesel engines, hybrid power systems, and bow thrusters, maintenance takes on a new dimension. Most boat owners can do the maintenance necessary to keep their engines running, such as oil changes, checking fluids, and filtering fuel .

However, when the time for servicing comes, a mechanic will be necessary. They run a minimum of $100 an hour unless you are lucky enough that you can call a friend.

Maintaining a sailboat is expensive – we can help

At Boatsetter, we work with sailors who rent their sailboats to people around the world. Our boat rental community allows you to rent only your boat, or you can join the party as captain of your ship as you impart your sailing knowledge to your paying guests. Renting your sailboat is one way to offset some of your annual costs with the added benefit of getting paid to be captain for the day. 

Boatsetter empowers people to explore with confidence by showing them a world of possibility on the water. Rent  a boat,  list  your boat, or become a  Boatsetter captain  today.

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Lightweight and Small Outboard Motors for Sailboats

• By Ed Sherman
• Updated: April 22, 2019

When you’re facing strong winds and you need to get somewhere fast, it’s time to break out a small outboard such as an aluminum genny. A dependable outboard that has enough horsepower to get you to the racecourse and back, yet is light enough not to be a drag on your race results, is invaluable. Most racing sailors don’t need as much horsepower as they might think.

An eight-horsepower outboard, for example, will push a 30-foot, 6,000-pound boat along at 6.5 knots. Anything bigger will weigh more than 90 pounds and isn’t suitable for lifting on and off the stern. Here’s our roundup of some of the best outboard motors for sailboats, and some help in deciphering what’s right for your boat.

We focus our attention on engines available under nine different brand names. Two of the best-known names, Johnson and Evinrude, have dropped out of the small-engine end of the market as part of parent company Bombardier Corporation’s restructuring of these two companies. Currently they’re advertising the availability of six- and eight-horsepower four-stroke models in 2003. Another dropout in the mini-engine market is Suzuki. Their smallest two-stroke is a five-horsepower unit and in the four-stroke configuration, a 9.9 horsepower. Brand and corporate shuffling aside, of particular interest is whether the companies that are building nine horsepower- and-below engines have incorporated four-stroke technology into the lower horsepower range, since it’s now beginning to dominate the mid-sized and larger outboard engine market. The answer to that is yes, to a point.

Two or Four Stroke Outboards for Sailboats

Outboards are either two or four-stroke engines, and the four-strokes have definitely gained favor in recent years for several reasons: they’re quiet, they use much less fuel, and they run more cleanly. Since no oil is mixed with the fuel, the classic two-cycle smokescreen isn’t a factor. In a four-stroke, the piston reciprocates inside the cylinder four times for each power stroke (that is, each time fuel combusts). Rather than opening ports cut into the sides of the cylinder, intake and exhaust valves controlled by a camshaft allow a fuel/air mix to enter the combustion chamber with the suction created by the piston as it moves inward in its cylinder. Exhaust gases are forced out of the cylinder as the piston moves outward.

By carefully designing the camshaft, engineers minimize the amount of time that the intake and exhaust valves are both open, considerably reducing the amount of unburned fuel that exits with the exhaust stream. The end result? Fewer emissions and greater economy.

But they do have at least one distinct disadvantage for the racing sailor, and that’s weight. For example, four-stroke engines in the five-horsepower category are about 20 percent heavier than comparable two-stroke engines of the same horsepower. The good news, however, is that only amounts to between 10 and 15 pounds, depending upon the engine. Four-stroke engines cost more, also, but the improved technology may be well worth it.

If you’re totally weight and price conscious, you’ll want a two-stroke engine. But, if you think you can lose the weight elsewhere, a clean, quiet four-stroke without the hassle of mixing fuel could be the answer. In fact, Mercury/ Mariner’s newest six-horse four-stroke engines are actually 18 pounds lighter than their older two-stroke equivalents–a testament to the benefits of improved design and technology.

Environmental regulations are pushing manufacturers towards four-strokes as well. Four-strokes meet emission control standards, and US Environmental Protection Agency regulations mandate that new outboard and personal watercraft engines reduce engine hydrocarbon emissions by 75 percent by 2006. Environmentally conscious sailors should look for either a C.A.R.B. (California Air Resources Board) “very-low” or “ultra-low” designator, or a specification indicating 2006 EPA compliance.

How Much Horsepower Do You Need?

The amount of power you’ll need depends on several key factors. The first consideration is the weight of your boat. The second is the boat’s wetted surface. Full-keel boats not only weigh more but also have more surface area to push through the water. My rule of thumb here is to start with a two-horsepower engine for small centerboard and keelboats less than 1,000 pounds, and add one horsepower for every 1,000 pounds of displacement. For more exact, albeit complex formulae, I suggest The Propeller Handbook by Dave Gerr (McGraw-Hill 2001).

Compare your boat’s dimensions against what existing classes have found to work; for example, a Melges 24 at 1,650 pounds is typically rigged with a three-horsepower short-shaft engine, while a J/80 at 2,900 pounds can still squeak by with a long-shaft, three-horsepower engine. A 1,790 pound J/22, on the other hand, typically uses a four-horsepower long-shaft engine. On the larger end of boats using outboards, you’ll find the outboard version of the J/29, at 6,000 pounds, requires a 7.5-horsepower long-shaft engine.

If you are intending to do some cruising, or even long deliveries to regattas, an option that’s available on some engines is a high-thrust propeller. On larger boats, this option can save weight over a bigger engine and really make a difference when trying to punch through a strong tide or headwind. High-thrust props cost more and are less fuel efficient–but they can save weight and give you more power.

Once you’ve determined how big an engine you’ll need, the next step is to begin comparing features in the given horsepower range you’ve selected. There are nine manufacturers included in our roundup, but some of their brands are identical products with different labeling. In the smaller sizes, the Mercury and Mariner brands are identical. As for the Nissan and Tohatsu engines, Tohatsu builds them all. Yamaha, Suzuki, and Honda all offer competitive products as well, but they’re all independent brands.

What to Look For in Lightweight Outboard Motors

In the small engine sizes, specific features to look for can be reduced to several key items. For some, having an integral fuel tank will be important. The smallest engines have integral tanks that hold only a quart or two of fuel–good enough for an hour or two of operation. No manufacturer lists fuel consumption because the size boat the engine is pushing and the wind and wave conditions vary widely. Compare the size of the tanks, and whether you can attach a remote tank for longer trips. The extra weight and space of a separate fuel tank will be a burden on smaller ultra-light boats.

The availability of long- and short-shaft versions in the horsepower size you need is also important. Honda for example offers 20 and 25-inch transom height (long or short shaft) right down to their smallest BF2 (two-horsepower) model. Mercury and Mariner only offer a 15-inch short-shaft version on their 3.3- and 2.5-horsepower engines. Shaft length is measured from the top of the bracket to the tip of the shaft–make sure your shaft is long enough to position the propeller and cooling water intake deep enough below the waterline to avoid cavitation when the boat pitches through waves.

Other specifications that are worth comparing are whether the engine is equipped with a simple forward and neutral gearshift or if the unit has a full functioning forward-neutral-reverse gear unit. If you’re going to be doing long deliveries to regattas, or in the larger sizes for a racer/cruiser configuration, consider whether or not a charging system is part of the engine package, and if so, it’s output. Will it be adequate to keep your battery recharged and power things like a tiller pilot and running lights? Also, on the larger engines check to see if electric starting is available, or offered as a standard feature. Having it can be the difference between pain and pleasure.

If you are racing in a strict one-design group, check any class rules that apply to outboard engines. Issues related to brackets, storage of the engine and/or alternative weight might be issues, so be sure to check with your class before making any final decision.

Ed Sherman is the author of Outboard Engines, Maintenance, Troubleshooting and Repair, International Marine/McGraw Hill and a contributing editor to Sailing World.

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Best Outboard Motors

• By Jim Hendricks
• Updated: June 4, 2021

Outboard motors dominate today’s boating market. And with good reason. Today’s outboards are powerful, quiet, reliable, easy to service, and offer excellent power-to-weight ratios, as well as outstanding corrosion resistance. American boaters can choose from more than 180 models (not counting shaft length variants), all four strokes, from manufacturers such as Honda Marine, Mercury Marine, Suzuki Marine, Yamaha Outboards, and others, many in a choice of colors.

Horsepower ratings range from 2.3 to a whopping 600 ponies. Advanced technology abounds, with many models featuring electronic throttle and shift, electric steering, digital integration with your marine electronics , wireless connections to apps that let you view key functions, and more. While many boaters might narrow their search to the best outboard motor for the money, we instead built this list to showcase the best outboards available.

If you own an outboard motor, then you probably already know what you like in terms of brand and horsepower. But, on the other hand, you might be interested to learn about other great outboard motors, in case you buy a second boat or want to repower with the latest outboard technology. With this in mind, we looked at three outboard categories—portables, midsize and big outboards—and highlighted models from the major outboard brands that reflect some of the most notable and innovative engineering and features in each class.

Choosing an outboard motor for your boat is an important decision. Here, then, are 15 of today’s best outboard motors, ordered by horsepower from low to high, defaulting to alphabetical order for like power ratings.

Portable Outboard Motors

Honda Marine BF5

Portability, performance and reliability are the hallmarks of the Honda Marine BF5 tiller-steer outboard model, a motor that’s ideal for small boats and dinghies. The BF5 is equipped with a 0.4-gallon internal fuel tank, the largest in its class. This single cylinder outboard is also easy to pull-start, thanks to a decompression system that bleeds off cylinder pressure to reduce the pulling force. Weighing about 60 pounds, the BF5 is equipped with a 127cc overhead-cam engine that features an Oil Alert system that indicates any drop in oil pressure, automatically limiting the engine speed to 2,300 rpm. The Honda BF5 is available with an optional charging system with a capacity of 6 amps at 12 volts to power electronic devices on board.

Suzuki Marine DF9.9B

This portable outboard is the only motor in its class with electronic fuel injection for easy starting, strong acceleration and smooth operation at all engine speeds. Even more impressive is that Suzuki DF9.9B’s EFI system does not require a battery. The two-cylinder 327cc overhead-cam engine also features Suzuki’s proven Lean Burn Control System for outstanding fuel efficiency from low idle speeds well up into the cruising range. Weighing 108 pounds (20-inch model), this motor is available with electric or manual start with a decompression system for easy pull-starts. Suzuki’s class-leading 327cc displacement delivers plenty of torque for pushing inflatables, small fishing boats and more. Power tilt and trim is optional.

Yamaha Outboards High-Thrust T9.9

The Yamaha T9.9 is one of today’s smallest and lightest high-thrust 9.9 hp outboard motors and serves a perfect kicker outboard for a variety of boats. Weighing 102 pounds (20-inch model), the T9.9′s 212cc, two-cylinder, overhead-cam engine provides smooth, reliable power and torque with outstanding fuel efficiency. Yamaha’s patented dual-thrust propeller offers robust forward and reverse thrust. Shallow Water Drive System or Power Tilt allows the operator to raise the outboard during low-speed operation or fully tilt the outboard up. A freshwater flushing device at the front of the outboard allows for easy maintenance and increased longevity. Resting pads enhance storage capability.

Mercury Marine 20 EFI FourStroke

Designed for anglers, recreational boaters and commercial operators, the Mercury 20 hp FourStroke features battery-free electronic fuel injection for reliable starting, instant throttle response, strong performance and superb fuel efficiency. Weighing in at 99 pounds, this outboard model is among the lightest in its class. Available with electric start, this engine is designed with ease of maintenance, featuring a clean, no-drip, no-spill oil-drain system. The 20 hp EFI FourStroke features an award-winning multi-function tiller handle, offering ambidextrous operation. Its vertical down-stop is adjustable to accommodate specific boat layouts and transoms.

Midsize Outboard Motors

Mercury Racing 60R

The only outboard motor in its class available as a 15-inch model, the Mercury Racing 60R fits perfectly on the transom of flats skiffs and other small high-performance boats. Featuring a high-thrust gearcase, this outboard motor is geared to deliver strong hole-shot for jumping on plane in shallow water. The smallest outboard motor in the Mercury Racing line, it features a four-cylinder, 1.0-liter long-stroke powerhead tuned for torque. Wide-open throttle range is extended to 6,300 rpm to maximize acceleration and enable more propping options. Weighing in at 268 pounds, it can accommodate a lower poling platform while eliminating the need for a jack plate

Suzuki DF70A

Known for delivering strong fuel efficiency and long-run reliability, Suzuki’s DF70A pushed a 17-foot Hell’s Bay flats skiff to victory in the 2021 Florida Skiff Challenge, a non-stop, 1,300-mile race around the entire Florida coastline. This four-cylinder engine features dual overhead cams, four-valves-per-cylinder and electronic fuel injection with Suzuki’s Lean Burn Control. Weighing 343 pounds and boasting 9.17 liters of displacement, it’s the only motor in the class with an offset driveshaft for better weight distribution and balance on the transom. Suzuki’s two-stage gear reduction and 2.59:1 gear ratio delivers snappy acceleration and top-end performance. This motor also features a self-adjusting and self-lubricating timing chain and powerful 27-amp alternator for tech-laden boats.

Yamaha Outboards F70

Yamaha’s F70 outboard motor is perfect for family fishing and fun. Weighing 253 pounds, it’s the lightest in class and delivers quick starts, high performance and efficiency for aluminum fishing boats, pontoons and fiberglass boats. This 1.0-liter engine also boasts the best horsepower-per-liter ratio in its class. It offers four-valve-per-cylinder and single cam design with electronic fuel injection. A high gear-ratio and 6,300 rpm wide-open throttle rating combine with a compact single-throttle valve and long-track induction system for maximum power and thrust. The F70 integrates with Yamaha’s CL5 and CL7 touchscreen displays.Yamaha’s Multi-Function tiller handle is also an option for the F70.

Honda Marine BF90

Inspired by the engine of the Honda Fit car, the BF90′s 1.5-liter, 16-valve four-cylinder features multi-port electronic fuel injection. Weighing 359 pound (20-inch model), it comes with a multi-function display and an optional tiller handle that includes a larger shift lever, a power trim and tilt switch, handle height adjustment and trolling-speed control. The patented Blast system advances ignition timing during hard acceleration for powerful hole shots, while a Lean Burn Control system adjusts the air/fuel mixture to maximize fuel efficiency at cruise. A three-way cooling system promotes long-term durability. Honda’s Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control (VTEC) improves torque and power at higher rpm.

Mercury Marine 115 hp Pro XS

The 115 hp Pro XS has been powering bass boaters and other performance enthusiasts since its launch in 2016. Built on the proven 2.1-liter four-cylinder platform, this outboard motor lives up to the Pro XS reputation for hole shot, top-end speed, and durability. It delivers outstanding zero-to-20 mph heavy-load acceleration and a blistering top speed. At 359 pounds, it’s the lightest weight high-output engine in its class. In addition, the 115 hp Pro XS features the Idle-Charge Battery Management system, ensuring peace of mind for a full day on the water. Available with the standard or larger Command Thrust gearcase, this outboard motor is perfect for boaters looking to maximize performance on their bass boats, multi-species boats, bay boats and pontoons.

Big Outboard Motors

Honda Marine BF250

The flagship of the Honda outboard line, the BF250 outboard motor integrates an innovative design, a sleek progressive V-form style, improved corrosion resistance, streamlined maintenance, and an expanded number of rigging options. Weighing 622 pounds (25-inch model), the 3.58-liter V-6 is available with either Intelligent Shift and Throttle (iST) or electronic controls or mechanical controls. Technological innovations include Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control (VTEC), Programmed Fuel Injection (PGM-FI) to delivers precise amounts of fuel and air to each cylinder, Boosted Low Speed Torque (BLAST) to increase performance and acceleration; and Lean Burn Control to maximize fuel efficiency in cruise mode. The motor also features digital line redundancy for added protection against connection failure.

Yamaha Outboards F300 Offshore

Yamaha’s updated F300 Offshore Digital Electronic Control (DEC) model features Digital Electric Steering (DES) and Thrust Enhancing Reverse Exhaust (TERE) and other XTO Offshore-inspired features. Fast and precise Digital Electric Steering (DES) draws battery amperage only when active. The 4.2-liter EFI V-6 incorporates Thrust Enhancing Reverse Exhaust (TERE) that allows the propeller to bite clean water for strong reverse thrust. Yamaha’s TotalTilt function allows complete tilt up from any position with a double push of the “UP” button, or full tilt down with a double push of the “down” button. Weighing 562 pounds (25-inch model), F300 has a color-matched lower unit, an upgraded one-piece top cowling with water-draining air duct molding and a new bottom cowling.

Suzuki Marine DF350A

Suzuki’s flagship DF350A was the first outboard to feature dual contra-rotating propellers for superior hole shot and strong acceleration for today’s larger and heavier boats. It also improves top-end speed and enhances low-speed maneuvering. Weighing 727 pounds (25-inch model), this 4.4-liter V-6 features dual fuel injectors for better power output and fuel efficiency, a self-adjusting oil-bathed timing chain with Variable Valve Timing for performance and durability, a dual-louver direct air intake to provide cooler, denser air for more powerful combustion, and Suzuki’s Lean Burn Control technology for optimum efficiency. The drive-by-wire Suzuki Precision Control system delivers silky smooth shifting and instant throttle response, along with a wide range of advanced features for anglers and boaters.

Yamaha Outboards XTO Offshore

The 425 hp XTO Offshore 5.6-liter V-8 outboard motor combines power, reliability, system integration, control and convenience. The first four-stroke outboard to use direct fuel injection, the XTO Offshore sprays fuel at high pressure directly into the combustion chamber, rather than the intake track, improving atomization and increasing fuel burn effectiveness to maximize power and efficiency. Weighing 952 pounds (25-inch model), this outboard motor also features integrated electric steering, eliminating hydraulic lines, fluid and linkages. It allows for clean rigging and an orderly bilge. The XTO provides up to 96 amps (net) at idle and reaches peak output around 1,500 rpm. It is compatible with Yamaha’s Helm Master joystick control system.

Mercury Racing 450R

The hand-craft 450R has elevated the definition of outboard motor performance. Boosted by an exclusive supercharger, the 4.6-liter V-8 FourStroke powerhead delivers 450 peak horsepower—40 percent more torque than the powerful 400R. Weighing 689 pounds, it is 300 pounds lighter than the nearest competitor. The exclusive Mercury Racing Advanced Mid Section (AMS) features heavy-duty stainless-steel guide plates and stiffened engine mounts that stabilize the outboard and enhance high-speed handling. An optional rear tie-bar bracket integral to the AMS provides a strong, ultra-light mounting point and uncluttered installation for catamaran and other high-speed applications. The 450R outboard is backed by a three-year limited factory warranty and a three-year limited corrosion warranty, the same as Mercury mainline outboards.

Mercury Marine V12 Verado

The new V12 Verado is in a class of its own, providing the ultimate boating experience for customers. Incorporating industry-first innovations, the 600 hp Verado includes a two-speed transmission, steerable gearcase, and 7.6-liter V-12 powerhead that differentiate it from any other outboard motor. Weighing 1,260 pounds, the V12 is Mercury’s quietest high horsepower engine ever built. Contra-rotating propellers maximize thrust and ease low-speed maneuvering. Maintenance has also been simplified—service intervals have been extended and all regular maintenance points are accessible via the top cowl service hood, meaning the top cowl does not need to be removed for 1,000 hours or five years. It is not an exaggeration to say that the Mercury V12 Verado establishes a new benchmark for marine propulsion.

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The Best Outboard Motor for a Sailboat

Last Updated by

Daniel Wade

June 15, 2022

The technology of sailing has remained mostly unchanged for centuries. Since learning to harness the power of wind, sailors have been transiting the world’s oceans, expanding trade routes and exploring new cultures. Although nothing more than a renewable natural resource and a single sail is needed to move a sailboat along the water, there are times when it’s important (and in our modern age, convenient) to leverage off a motor to get you where you need to go.

Like any unique piece of equipment in the world of sailing, outboard motors come in a variety of sizes with features and options to fit any owner’s needs. But of course, one size doesn’t fit all. Every boat is different – even those that come off the production line at the same time – and every owner is looking for something specific when it comes to their sailboat. From the purpose of owning the boat (blue water sailing vs. racing) to the location and impact on maintenance (cold weather vs. tropical weather), an outboard motor is just one of the many elements that will define a sailboat’s function and performance.

Whether you’re a new owner, or a veteran sailor, it’s important to know the basic components of any outboard motor . You should also have an idea of what you want your outboard motor to do for your size and model sailboat.

Table of contents

Outboard Motor Size

A larger boat doesn’t necessarily mean a larger motor. Although there are different ratings for different classes of boats, a small power plant can be more effective than a larger one. Conversely, an outboard motor can easily overpower a small boat and create unsafe conditions at high speeds. Guidelines and requirements differ between motorboats and sailboats. And while there is some overlap, these considerations apply directly to sailboats.

Engine power has to do with how much water a boat displaces. For sailboats, smaller is better. If you’re a bit of a math geek, the exact formula is 4 horsepower for every 2200lb of weight. Coupled with a propeller size, which can be determined using a propeller calculator , you’ll get a rough estimate to use as a guideline to start shopping. This is a good first step, since size is essentially a fixed variable. Though it’s worth noting for those who are buying a sailboat directly from the manufacturer, that actual weight will increase after delivery – once all other rigging and outfitting has been completed.

Physical size of your outboard motor is an important consideration and is directly related to the design of your sailboat. An outboard motor is made up of three parts from top to bottom:

• The Powerhead – Houses the engine. The bulbous part of the motor.
• The Midsection – Houses the exhaust system. Varies in length and design.
• The Lower Unit – Propellers attach to the gearbox. Submerged when operational.

Shaft length is an important design element and should be considered when purchasing a motor. A shaft that is too short will obviously prevent the propeller from being submerged in water, while a shaft that is too long will extend the propellers too far. Not only will it decrease the efficiency of your engine, it will create unnecessary drag. Know your transom length when looking at different models.

When an outboard motor is not being used, it should be stowed in its upright position. Some of the larger motors have an automated switch that will raise it out of the water, but some must be secured manually. Make sure everyone who sails with you is capable of lifting and securing the motor out of the water in case of an emergency.

Outboard Motor Power

Any kind of motor installed on a sailboat (inboard or outboard) should be viewed as a tool to help with maneuvering. Although there are some very skilled sailors out there who can sail into their slip without the aid of a motor, many harbors have restrictions that either don’t allow for the use of full sails, or there simply isn’t enough room to maneuver. A motor with both forward and reverse gears helps tremendously with docking.

While there is no exact correlation between boat length and total weight, the following is a rough guideline:

• 1-4 HP for boats up to 20’ (approximately 1000-2000lbs)
• 4-18 HP for boats between 20-30’ (approximately 2,000-10,000lbs)
• 18-34 HP for boats between 30-40’ (10,000lbs or more)

There are some things to consider when deciding how much horsepower you need or want. Location and the type of conditions you expect you’ll be sailing in is one of the biggest factors. Heavy seas and high winds typically associated with open ocean sailing will put more strain on your engine, and in some cases overpower it, whereas an engine that is heavier than needed will add unnecessary weight when racing. If you plan on motoring for long distances, consider purchasing an engine that will stand up to a lot of use.

Less HP is required for:

• Boat Design – Single hull boats made out of fiberglass require less power.
• 2-Stroke Engines – This is due to an overall lighter weight engine and higher torque.
• Diesel Engines – Diesel delivers more torque because the rate of compression is greater.
• Bigger Propellers – More surface area means more water displacement.
• Location – Motoring on lakes and rivers requires less power than open ocean.
• Distance – A smaller engine is suitable for shorter distances.

More HP is required for:

• Boat Design – Catamarans and heavier boats (regardless of size) require more power.
• 4-Stroke Engine – Engine weight and an extra step of compression yields less power.
• Gas Engines – The rate of compression for gas engines is much lower than diesel.
• Smaller Propeller – A smaller propeller displaces less water.
• Location – Open ocean, with tides and currents, will strain a smaller engine.
• Distance – Cover more distance when wind conditions are poor requires a larger engine.

Outboard Motor Cost

There is no way to quantify how much you will pay for any given motor. But there are several costs associated with owning an outboard motor that are definitely worth considering when making your purchase.

Certainly, a lager, more-powerful engine is going to be costlier than a smaller engine with lower horsepower. But as mentioned earlier, size is not necessarily a guarantee of performance and efficiency. At the same time, there’s only so much you can get out of an engine before you exceed its capability. Larger engines tend to help with resale value should you choose to sell your boat at some point, but a boat outfitted with right motor to begin with will always perform better than a motor that’s large just for the sake of it.

Factor in maintenance costs and fuel when looking at models. You want to run your engine at around 90% of its max RPMs to balance proper fuel usage and with wear and tear. Making a few calls to marine mechanics to inquire about an engine you’re interested in will give you a lot of information a sales person won’t be able to give you. The good news about outboard motors is that most of them are portable, which means you won’t have the added cost of either paying a mechanic to come to you, or having to get your boat to the yard, which usually requires help from a very good friend willing to spend all day driving and sailing back and forth.

Owning a boat requires constant care and maintenance, so a little knowledge goes a long way. While an outboard motor is not required for sailing, it’s a convenient addition that can greatly increase your enjoyment out on the water. Being patient and spending time researching engines will not only help you make the correct purchase but will help you take advantage of a great deal when it presents itself. Whether you sail the Caribbean, or race off the coast of California in a catamaran, there is an outboard motor that’s just right for you.

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I've personally had thousands of questions about sailing and sailboats over the years. As I learn and experience sailing, and the community, I share the answers that work and make sense to me, here on Life of Sailing.

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Local Man Found Murdered on Sailboat After Violent "Macroburst" Storm Slams Rhode Island

Seventy-year-old sailor Fernando Silva, also known as "Captain Fredy," was rumored to have earned some Keno winnings shortly before his mysterious 2015 death. 

When a harbormaster spotted what was believed to have been an abandoned sailboat in the cove, he didn’t anticipate he’d come upon a homicide.

How to Watch

Watch  Deadly Waters with Captain Lee  on Oxygen Saturdays at 9/8c and next day on Peacock. 

The gruesome discovery came after a violent macroburst storm battered the seaside town of Warwick, Rhode Island, on August 4, 2015, a destructive force that caused power outages and structural damage around the New England cove. Detective J.P. Toussaint of the Warwick Police Department recalled to Deadly Waters with Captain Lee that high winds and rain “caused havoc” in the area, an event with the potential of reaching wind speeds of 100 miles per hour.

“Often occurring during a thunderstorm, a macroburst is an intense downdraft of air that spreads out in all directions when it hits the ground,” said Deadly Waters host Captain Lee. “They’re comparable to — and in many cases can be worse — than tornadoes.”

The next morning, in the calm light of day, Chief Harbormaster Jeffrey Baris inspected the harbor for damage and spotted a vessel he “hadn’t recognized:” a yellow-and-white Columbia 26 sailboat called the Star Capella.

“I assumed that it had come in to get away from the weather, so I watched it for a while, and then I realized it was moving; kind of floating out there up against another person’s boat, causing some damage,” said Baris.

Baris used a patrol boat to approach the vessel, briefly boarding it and finding no one. Inside, items everywhere had been strewn about to create a mess, presumably the result of the storm. The harbormaster towed the sailboat and moored it at the mouth of Warwick Cove, believing someone would come around to claim it.

When no one came forward, on Aug. 15, 2015, Baris returned to the boat for further inspection, finding a “foul odor” and “considerable insect activity.”

Inside was a dead body concealed under a foam mattress, but because the decomposition was so advanced, responders couldn’t determine the sex, age, or race of the decedent.

“It’s not something I ever expected to find,” said Baris. “My mind, it’s spinning at this point. How could this have happened?”

Police look into missing man Fernando Silva

Inside the boat, authorities with the Warwick P.D. found documentation for 70-year-old Fernando Silva, and so they contacted relatives who said Silva had been out of reach for some time. According to Silva’s sister, Dolly Packard, Silva was expected to help his son paint his house about three days before the storm hit, but wasn’t overly concerned when he was a no-show.

“We didn’t worry too much ’cause he was always out there sailing, doing something,” Packard told Deadly Waters. “And so sometimes you don’t hear from him for a long time.”

Silva, whom friends affectionately knew as “Captain Fredy,” had a cell phone, but it wasn’t always reliable at sea. Loved ones grew increasingly concerned, however, in light of the storm. Investigators, including Warwick P.D. Detective Sergeant Scott Robillard, believed Silva was the man on the boat, and one day later, a medical examiner used DNA to confirm the identification.

Due to the decomposition, which Captain Lee said happened at a “rapid rate” on account of the atmospheric conditions creating a greenhouse-like effect, experts called on a forensic anthropologist to help determine a manner and cause of death, forcing investigators to wait “an extended period of time” for the results, according to Robillard.

By then, there was still no conclusive determination that Silva met with foul play, and it was possible that he was injured in the storm or suffered a fatal heart attack.  

“He lived the life of a sailor on the ocean,” said Silva’s sister. “He just loved that life.”

Investigators find an eyewitness at the marina in Silva case

While waiting for the results of a postmortem examination, detectives went to the marina in search of locals who might have seen something out of the ordinary. Stephen Emerson, who — like Silva — lived on a boat, claimed Silva had an arrangement with Donald “Ducky” Waterman to use his private dock.

“Ducky Waterman’s name was a familiar name to us, and we had had several prior contacts with that subject,” Robillard told Deadly Waters. “Most of the people who had resided in the Waterman house were transient, which required neighbors summoning the police to his address several times over my 20-year career.”

Emerson also told detectives that on Aug. 1, 2015, he ran into two unknown men who’d parked a loud maroon Dodge Ram pickup truck at the marina. The men told Emerson that while Silva was reportedly away to play the lottery game, Keno, they’d been sent by Ducky Waterman to work on Silva’s boat motor.

“Mr. Emerson remembered that the two subjects were carrying a cooler, some gas, and what appeared to be a motor,” said Det. Robillard. “And he believed that approximately 30 minutes later, the two subjects were seen leaving.”

Meanwhile, Silva’s postmortem examination was completed, and it was determined by a broken hyoid bone that the victim was strangled and likely stabbed.

The manner of death was homicide.

Two men at the marina are identified and questioned in Silva case

Ducky Waterman voluntarily went with police to answer their questions, as seen in a videotaped interview published by Deadly Waters.

“The only thing I know is that the Harbormaster found him,” Waterman told detectives.

He also claimed that Silva had recently won some money from Keno and asked Waterman to find him a new motor for his boat. He admitted he sent two men to install it, one of them being Troy Gunderway, while he wasn’t sure of the other man’s name. Waterman described Gunderway as a man with a tattooed head who’d been working on a fence in a nearby neighborhood.

Police found Gunderway, and Gunderway gave them the same story as Waterman. He also identified the second unknown man as Richard Baribault, the purported owner of the Dodge Ram pickup.

Police spotted Baribault’s truck, and when they ran the plates, they came back as stolen, giving officers cause to pull him over and arrest him. During a body search, authorities also discovered a knife greater than three inches, which was illegal in Rhode Island, and charged Baribault with possession of a weapon.

“We looked closely inside the protective sleeve of the folding knife; you could see what appeared to be dried blood,” Robillard said.

When questioned by police, Baribault admitted to being with Gunderway on Aug. 1, 2015, though his story contrasted his buddy’s. He said he was “tipsy” on the night in question and agreed to go with Gunderway to Silva’s boat when asked. Baribault claimed Gunderway had every intention of robbing Silva.

“He said he just wanted me to keep an eye because he wanted to see if Fredy had money,” Baribault told detectives.

According to the suspect, Silva allegedly bragged about recently winning $800 in Keno. Baribault said he attempted to grab Gunderway after Gunderway allegedly attacked Silva.

Gunderway reportedly pushed Baribault aside and continued attacking Silva.

“So then, I just said, ‘I’m out of here, dude,’ and I left,” Baribault said in his taped confession. “I said, ‘You never told me you were going to do that to him.’ And he said, ‘Ah, he’s allr ight. I’ve left him, and he was breathing.’”

Electronic evidence and Gunderway's contrasting statements

As far as electronic evidence, Det. Toussaint had more than a decade of experience working with video surveillance around the city of Warwick. He began inspecting footage from the Warwick Cove Marina, where on Aug. 1, 2015, a truck matching Baribault’s was captured leaving the marina in the early morning hours.

Unfortunately, according to Toussaint, any recordings angled at the Star Capella had been “overwritten,” and all footage from before Aug. 2, 2015, was lost. However, he was able to dig up “over 26,000 video files” from Aug. 2 to Aug. 20 “at an angle which captured the Star Capella from a distance.”

On Aug. 4, the Star Capella traveled east on the cove, and the travel time matched when the truck matching Baribault’s came to and from the marina. The pickup, in fact, made a dozen or more trips between Aug. 1 and Aug. 4.

Next, police brought Gunderway in for questioning, and his statements didn’t line up with Baribault’s previous claims.

“Richard, he’s the one that beat the dude up,” Gunderway said. “When I held him down, I remember him pounding on this legs, and f-cking, with his feet… He was just grabbing him, with a knife, too, going, ‘Where’s your f-cking money?’ I didn’t expect it to go that far, to be honest with you ... He just went crazy on him.”

Both men were now accusing the other of killing Silva in a robbery gone wrong, an attempt to steal the boatman’s Keno winnings.

According to Det. Robillard, however, Gunderway changed his story once confronted with electronic and eyewitness evidence. This time, Gunderway said Baribault went inside the boat first, accidentally waking and startling Silva. When Silva began yelling, Baribault “punched Mr. Silva approximately five times” in the face before pulling out the knife.

Neither suspect could find Silva’s winnings, so they “quickly left,” according to Robillard.

Gunderway confessed to helping move the Star Capella to keep the smell of decomposition from signaling those nearby.

“On August 1, they never called police, they never asked for help, all they wanted to do was get rid of the evidence,” Robillard told Deadly Waters.

The microburst storm ripped through the bay just three days later.

Warwick police placed Richard Baribault and Tory Gunderway under arrest.

Closure for Captain Fredy

Gunderway quickly sought out a plea deal and was charged with second-degree murder and conspiracy in exchange for his cooperation by testifying against Baribault, who denied taking any part in Silva’s murder. Around this time, Warwick investigators executed search warrants for cell phone records and Google accounts.

One of Baribault’s chilling voice searches, as obtained and published by Deadly Waters , confirmed for investigators that they had the right guy.

Baribault said, “Does bleach kill everything, including skin cells?”

Coupled with the fact that the blood on Baribault’s knife matched to Silva, plus Gunderway’s convincing testimony, investigators had a “strong case” against Baribault, according to Det. Robillard. On June 30, 2017, nearly two years after the murder, a jury found Baribault guilty of first-degree murder, conspiracy, and several lesser charges.

Baribault was sentenced to life in prison plus 10 years, while Gunderway was handed a 55-year sentence with 20 years suspended.

“The severe microburst storm that rocked Warwick, Rhode Island, allowed two cold-blooded killers the cover to almost get away with brutally murdering an innocent 70-year-old sailor over just $800 in Keno winnings,” said Captain Lee. “Thankfully, the greedy perps were not clever enough to outsmart technology or local detectives.”

Dolly Packard said she continues to pray “every day” for her brother and laments that Silva’s grandson will never know “what a wonderful person he was.”

Watch all-new episodes of Deadly Waters with Captain Lee , airing Saturdays at 9/8c on Oxygen.

Deadly Waters with Captain Lee

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Sailboat washes up on Pensacola Beach after men onboard were rescued south of Panama City

P ENSACOLA BEACH, Fla. ( WKRG ) — The story of how the Lady Catherine II sailboat got to Pensacola Beach began May 30, hundreds of miles away.

Michael Barlow and some friends traveled to Key West, to pick up the sailboat Barlow had just purchased, and as they were traveling back to Texas, they ran into some trouble.

“The storms were way bigger than we anticipated and we lost our headsail, lost our motor, lost the autopilot,” Michael Barlow, owner of the Lady Catherine III said.  

In June, the U.S. Coast Guard received a report of a disabled sailboat about 200 miles south of Panama City. 

The Coast Guard got in touch with the men on board. A rescue team found the men and lowered a basket to them, lifting them safely to the helicopter, which then flew them to Panama City.

“That was like a movie it was awesome. The US Coast Guard they’re just fantastic. Top shelf all the way around. They’re good at what they do and they’re there for us no question,” Barlow said. 

But the boat was left behind.

“The last thing you want to do is leave your vessel but in the situation, there’s no help there’s no one even in range to answer the radio so there’s no help,” Barlow said.

Weeks later, the boat sits on Pensacola Beach with its sail ripped to shreds. Barlow says he’s in the midst of making plans to get his boat off the beach as soon as possible. 

The boat has been attracting curious beachgoers near Avenida 17. People have been walking up and taking photos of the boat, which is now surrounded by caution tape.

We spoke with one woman who said she was there when the boat washed ashore Tuesday night.

“It was just getting closer and closer and once it caught the waves it came in pretty quickly,” Kylie Jones said, “I can’t believe it’s still there but I couldn’t believe watching it come in. So something I’ll never forget so that’s for sure.” 

Barlow said he’s grateful for the support he’s received from people in Pensacola opening their homes to him and watching out for his boat as he figures out his next steps. 

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to mypanhandle.com.

More From Forbes

Sailgp high-octane sailboat racing grabs headlines in new york city.

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The fleet led by Emirates Great Britain SailGP Team ahead of Canada SailGP Team and USA SailGP Team ... [+] pass the One World Trade Centre and the New York City skyline on Race Day 2 of the Mubadala New York Sail Grand Prix in New York, USA. Sunday 23rd June 2024

When it comes to high-performance sailing—and staging high-profile high-performance sailing events—America’s Cup legend and SailGP CEO Sir Russell Coutts has pretty much seen it all. He won the Cup as the New Zealand team’s helmsman three times. He was the CEO of Larry Ellison ’s Oracle Team USA syndicate when they won the America’s Cup after a historic comeback against Emirates Team New Zealand in San Francisco in 2013. And he was there when they lost it to a much faster Emirates Team New Zealand in Bermuda in 2017.

But that was then. These days, the SailGP global sailing league he and Ellison launched after they lost the America’s Cup is about to complete its fourth full season featuring 10 national teams, racing aboard 50-foot-long, high-performance hydrofoiling sailing catamarans in 13 locations around the world.

USA SailGP Team helmed by Taylor Canfield sail past the Statue of Liberty during a practice session ... [+] ahead of the Mubadala New York Sail Grand Prix in New York, USA. Thursday 20th June 2024

And since I was one of the lucky ones in the sold-out crowd that was able to watch the racing from a VIP boat close to the race course, and from the grandstands and luxury boxes at the Mubadala New York SailGP race in New York City this weekend, I can say with confidence that fans loved watching SailGP catamarans race between the iconic NYC skyline, the Stature of Liberty, and the race village hospitality tents and grandstands on Governors Island. And of course, everyone loved watching the United States SailGP Team compete in its home race.

Peter Burling, Co-CEO and driver of New Zealand SailGP Team, lifts the trophy as the New Zealand ... [+] SailGP Team celebrate with Barons De Rothschild Champagne on-board their F50 catamaran after winning the Mubadala New York Sail Grand Prix in New York, USA. Sunday 23rd June 2024

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Unfortunately for the Americans (and all the other teams too), no team could compete with the Black Foils, New Zealand SailGP Team in the final. The Kiwis sailed flawlessly to take the win over Canada and Emirates GBR and punch their ticket to the $2 million Grand Final in San Francisco next month.

But no matter who wins, the SailGP’s special mix of sailing, competition, sustainability and fan-friendliness has all the excitement, technology, celebrities, drama, and sponsorship opportunities of Formula 1 Grand Prix racing.

Fans get close to the action at the Mubadala SailGP New York

In fact, the league continues to attract fans from all around the world. And as I learned at the opening press conference held at Peak with Priceless on the 101 st floor of 30 Hudson Yards, the SailGP continues to attract investment from some of the world’s most recognizable sponsors as well.

The first announcement was that Mubadala Capital (the wholly owned asset management subsidiary of Mubadala Investment Company and title sponsor of the Mubadala New York SailGP) had acquired a newly formed SailGP Team to represent Brazil. The new team is the first South American team to join the SailGP league and the first of the new teams and new owners to be announced ahead of Season 5.

“Brazil has achieved an incredible history of success in Olympic sailing and it’s fitting they are now entering the professional ranks of SailGP – competing against the best in the world,” said Coutts. “This opens up a new and very significant market for SailGP and we’re incredibly excited to further develop Brazil’s passionate fan base and strengthen our connection to the region.”

"We are thrilled to partner with SailGP to form the first-ever South American SailGP team," said Oscar Fahlgren, Chief Investment Officer of Mubadala Capital. "This acquisition not only adds to our investment portfolio but also aligns with our long-term commitment to investing in Brazil, while enhancing our ability to create lasting positive social and environmental impact."

The Mubadala Brazil SailGP Team will partner with Brazilian sports and entertainment firm IMM to operate the team. Owned by ex-Brazilian Olympic sailor, Alan Adler (CEO), IMM’s portfolio includes some of Brazil’s most iconic events, including the Rio Open, Cirque Du Soleil and São Paulo Fashion Week. Adler is also CEO of Brazil Motor Sports, the promoter of the São Paulo Grand Prix Formula 1 race.

The United States SailGP team will be partnering with Tommy Hilfiger in season 5

The next sponsorship announcement came from an unlikely source—United States SailGP Driver Taylor Canfield—as he was about to field some tough questions about the rivalry he and his team have with Canada SailGP driver Phil Robertson and the United States’ struggles to get up to speed with the competition.

“Before I get into that,” he said with a smile. “I’m excited to break the news that Tommy Hilfiger will be partnering with the team next season,” he said just before he put on a Tommy Hilfiger sweater that he wore for the rest of the conference.

“We’re going to go out and push hard. We’re a work in progress, we’re not hiding from that,” Canfield acknowledged. “Coming into SailGP with our ownership group we were very clear. We have a couple of goals—to win both on and off the water.”

There’s no question that a long-term partnership with Tommy Hilfiger is a very big off-the-water win for the United States Sail GP Team.

United States SailGP team CEO Mike Buckley and Tommy Hilfiger announced their partnership at the ... [+] Mubadala Sail GP New York event in June

“I’ve long been in awe of how Tommy Hilfiger has defined fashion in sports, so this partnership is a literal dream come true,” said Mike Buckley, United States SailGP Team CEO in the official partnership announcement. “Tommy Hilfiger blends the world of style and athleticism like no other, and I get goosebumps when thinking about how we're going to shake up the world of sailing.”

“Since I was very young, I always loved the world of sailing and the nautical lifestyle said Tommy Hilfiger in the team’s official announcement. “But SailGP is next level. It’s a whole new sport. By fusing intense racing and elite performance with international competition in iconic venues around the world, SailGP is making waves in adrenaline sport.

“Mike Buckley and the United States SailGP Team have a unique vision to create a story and an impact that goes well beyond sporting competitions. I am so inspired by their grit, determination and innovation, and together we have the opportunity to disrupt sailing and bring something new to fans globally.”

Olympic champion, entrepreneur and United States SailGP Team board member Lindsey Vonn practices ... [+] with the team in New York

And thanks to Olympic champion, entrepreneur and United States SailGP Team board member Lindsey Vonn and others, the American team’s ownership group is making waves on and off the water as well.

“With my knowledge in both athletics and business, I hope I can help Mike grow the team and their partnerships, which will support them with the resources to succeed,” Vonn said after sailing with the team on the official practice day. “I’m very passionate about American sports and enhancing sports that close the gender gap. Plus, I love speed and adrenaline so when the opportunity presented itself it was a no brainer.”

With all the buzz the league has been generating lately, the SailGP looks like it’s just about to take a huge leap forward. And now that we know that Brazil will be one of two new teams to entering the league for Season 5, some intriguing questions remain still remain before the last event of the season takes place on July 13-14 in San Francisco such as…

What country will the other new team represent?

And more importantly, since 12 teams want to race next season, but only 11 F50s will be available, one of the teams from France, Canada or Spain probably won’t be starting in Season 5 unless they get funding.

Sail to Survive? Watch this space!

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'Ghost ship' belongs to Texas man whose world sailing dreams might be dashed

A “ghost ship” that recently washed up on a Florida Panhandle beach was traced to a Texas man who’ll likely lose much of his life savings after purchasing the vessel he had hoped to sail around the world.

Francine Farrar couldn’t believe her eyes early on the evening of June 18 when a 45-foot sailboat with no one aboard eerily floated toward her family’s beach rental in Pensacola.

“I saw this tattered sailboat, it looked ghostly, just kind of coming in,” Farrar, a 46-year-old Meridian, Mississippi, homemaker, told NBC News last week.

The craft washed ashore and the strange sight of a sailboat on the sand quickly became a source of neighborhood fascination, said 35-year-old Pensacola resident Allie Garrett.

“We called it the ‘ghost ship.’ It quickly became known as the ‘ghost ship’ across Pensacola beach,” said Garrett, a meteorologist and storm chaser who took multiple photos and drone footage of the prone vessel.

Wayward boats are common during Florida hurricane season as vessels succumb to high winds and get taken off their moorings.

“We just thought this sailboat broke loose from the marina, that someone didn’t tie it down well enough,” Farrar said.

But this beached ship turned out to have a far more complicated journey to where it now sits in Pensacola.

Shortly after locals posted images of the craft on social media, those pictures gained the attention of 39-year-old Michael Barlow, whose life was saved weeks earlier during a harrowing Coast Guard rescue in the Gulf of Mexico.

Barlow immediately recognized the images and video to be The Lady Catherine III, which he purchased in Fort Pierce, Florida, in May.

“I knew it was her,” Barlow said.

The Catherine pushed off from Fort Pierce on May 21, Barlow said, with plans to dock in Rockport, Texas, where he was closing down an excavation business and selling off belongings to start a new wandering life.

“We were just going to explore the world,” Barlow said of his wife and 9-year-old son. “We’re normal people. We have normal finances, very, very basic. And this is the only way I could take my son and show him there’s a whole world out there, beyond what’s in America. It’s the only way to do this realistically until this happened.”

Barlow and a friend were headed back to Texas when high winds and massive waves that would eventually become Hurricane Alberto lashed the Catherine and rendered it inoperable.

“We went through storms one after another, after another, after another, and then that last storm just hit us and exploded my front headsails,” Barlow said in an interview from Honduras, where he’s temporarily living and teaching scuba. “We lost our headsail, we lost our motor, and we were getting turned. It was unforecast and it was devastating.”

He added: “The seas were the craziest thing I’ve ever seen. I’ve been on the water my entire life, worked on offshore fishing boats, and I’ve seen some gnarly seas. But this was the craziest thing I’ve ever seen in my life.”

A Garmin satellite communication device was one of the few electric or gas-powered tools not destroyed by crashing seawater, and Barlow was able to get word to authorities on shore that he was stuck in dangerous waters.

“We were fine right now, but we have no control of the boat and it’s getting worse,” Barlow said, recalling his message to the Coast Guard. “We starting to get turned sideways. The waves were rolling the boat. There was not much we could do.”

The Coast Guard in New Orleans said it was alerted to two boaters whose “vessel became disabled approximately 190 miles south of Panama City” on June 1.

A Coast Guard helicopter and surveillance plane found Barlow and his friend on the Catherine, officials said, but a boat-to-boat rescue was out of the question in those unstable waters.

“‘We can come get you right now, but you have to leave the vessel,’” said Barlow, recalling the choice Coast Guard rescuers gave him. “‘You’re definitely rolling the dice on your life if you stay.’ It was just a bad situation, and it was getting progressively worse.”

Barlow picked a rescue over the boat he purchased for $80,000.

“The aircrews arrived on scene, the helicopter aircrew hoisted the two persons aboard and transported them to Panama City Airport in Panama City, Florida,” a Coast Guard statement said.

Barlow said he was reasonably confident the Catherine would show up again, and it did, 17 days later and nearly 200 miles away.

“We did our best to leave her in the best condition to make it through the storm,” Barlow said. “We lashed everything down and we hoped she could ride it out.”

Now, the sailor has nothing but bad choices ahead of him.

He could pay $20,000 to have the Catherine taken to dry dock for repairs that could very well total more than its pre-Alberto value.

Or he could shell out about $28,000 to simply have the vessel taken away and demolished, which would at least stop the financial hemorrhage .

“If we’re talking about business numbers, it’d make more sense to scrap the boat,” Barlow said. “That’s just the stone-cold truth.”

He’s now in talks with state and local officials in hopes of finding a solution in coming weeks.

As the owner of a “derelict vessel,” Barlow has to move it away or possibly face a third-degree felony, punishable by a fine of up to $5,000 and even prison time, officials said.

“Yes, our officers have been in contact with Mr. Barlow,” Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission spokesperson Faith Fawn said in statement. “He has 30 days from the date the uniform boating citation was issued to bring his vessel into compliance.”

Barlow said he’s not giving up on his world-sailing dreams even if this Catherine misadventure costs him so much of his life savings.

“I said I can make another 80,000 bucks and we can carry on with life and try again or we can sit around here and try to be tough guys and really lose it all,” Barlow said of his final moments on the water aboard the Catherine.

“This definitely did not shake my resolve as far as sailing goes. I love the ocean. I respect the ocean. It’s relentless and beautiful at the same time.”

David K. Li is a senior breaking news reporter for NBC News Digital.

Payton May is an intern with NBC News' Social Newsgathering team.

Rima Abdelkader is a senior reporter for Social Newsgathering at NBC News in New York.