Whitehall Rowing Boats: Can you use the sail and row at the same time?

I am interested in the Whitehall 17′ rowboat, but specifically I want to know if it is possible to use the sailing configuration and have one or two oarsmen rowing at the same time? I would like to use it for ocean sailing to and from Catalina Island and that is about a 21 mile trip at the closest point. I do not want to use a motor so when the wind is missing it would be nice to be able to row, or actually row while under sail if the wind is light.

Rowing and sailing a Whitehall at the same time is possible but wind speed and point of sail will influence your ability to do both, as an example if you are beating into the wind as the wind builds your healing angle will also increase. As you can imagine it will be difficult to row when the boat is healing at a 20 degree angle. You may also need to have your weight to windward to keep the boat from capsizing.

The Whitehall is a non planning hull design and once you reach hull speed no amount of rowing will increase your speed.

This is an open small boat and not the best design for ocean sailing. What would you do if you encounter high winds and large waves? What happens when the boat is swamped or capsizes? The Whitehall is not a self righting boat and may be very hard to bail if it is full of water above the top of the centerboard.

Remember that you will need to bring food,water, navigation, radio, and other safety gear with you.

My recommendation is to make this type of trip with a larger ship travelling near to support you in case of need.

Good luck,

Alec

Sailing On Lake Michigan (summer 07)

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