CLEVELAND, Ohio — Scott Sanders’ boat has an engine, but it’s only there to get him out of the docks. The sails are the source of the power.
“The wind is free,” Sanders said.
Once he is out on more open water, he opens the sails.
“One of our favorite moments in sailing, after we get out of the docks, is to turn off the motor,” Sanders said.
Sailboats are a less expensive way to get on the water since fuel costs have gone up. Sanders’ boat uses diesel fuel. Data from the Energy Information Administration shows that diesel fuel costs were as high as $5.70/gallon in June 2022. As of May 2023, they’ve dropped to $3.90/gallon. Prices still hadn’t hit that mark since June 2014.
Saunders said sailing is now more popular since wind is the fuel, and the sails are the engine.
“We’re seeing a beginning of an uptick in the number of sailboats out here,” Sanders said. “I think people realize it’s a really fun way to go out and enjoy the lake and not spend any money on fuel.”
If the wind isn’t going your way, you could do what’s called motor sailing, where you turn on the engine. This gives the boat a little push, and the sails do the rest of the work.
Sanders said this gives your boat better fuel economy.
“You get the benefits of both,” Sanders said. “You have a sail driving you forward. And an engine which doesn’t have to work quite as hard because the sail is assisting.”
Sanders said sailboats can also save people money if they want to go fishing out on the lake. He doesn’t usually do fishing charters on a sailboat, since you’d have to go farther out on the lake. But he said it is an option if someone wants to avoid paying for fuel.
“They will have a long haul from point A to point B so why not throw out a line,” Sanders said.
Sanders said fishing isn’t the only reason people go on the water. Some just want a quieter and cheaper way to take in the views.
“There’s no noise at all,” Sanders said. “When the engine is shut down, all we hear is the wind.”
