HORSEPOWER AND SAILPOWER

Bob at BOAT BITS has some interesting numbers and comments regarding sails and the amount of horsepower they provide to a sailboat.  Including some French perspective on motoring and sailing:

"The French, who know a thing or two about sailboats, call motorsailers "50's" (seldom used as a positive) to designate that they share sail and power at a 50% ratio. These days, with cheap HP available, nearly all modern sailboats would qualify as motorsailers... Something to keep in mind."

I'll say! Which may explain this scene that I came across more than a few times in my cruises this summer: