motor sailer: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Specialist/Technical (Maritime)
Quick answer
What does “motor sailer” mean?
A sailing vessel equipped with a motor that provides auxiliary power.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A sailing vessel equipped with a motor that provides auxiliary power.
A hybrid boat designed primarily for sailing but with a reliable engine for use in calm conditions, entering harbours, or for long passages when wind is unfavourable. It represents a practical compromise between pure sailing and motor cruising.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning. In the US, the single-word compound "motorsailer" is also commonly used.
Connotations
In both varieties, it connotes a practical, seaworthy vessel suited for long-distance cruising or liveaboard use, rather than high-performance sailing.
Frequency
Equally common in both British and American nautical contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “motor sailer” in a Sentence
The [owner/captain] uses the [motor sailer] for [long passages/coastal cruising].We crossed the [bay/channel] in our [motor sailer].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “motor sailer” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- We plan to motor sail down the French coast if the Mistral picks up.
- They motored sailed across the Channel overnight.
American English
- We'll motorsail up the Intracoastal Waterway for the next leg.
- They motorsailed through the windless patch for six hours.
adverb
British English
- Not typically used adverbially.
American English
- Not typically used adverbially.
adjective
British English
- It's a proper motor-sailer design, with a pilothouse and ample tankage.
- The motor-sailer concept appeals to practical cruisers.
American English
- He prefers a motorsailer layout for its all-weather capability.
- The motorsailer market is quite niche.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in yacht brokerage listings and boat manufacturing specifications.
Academic
Appears in naval architecture texts and maritime history discussing vessel evolution.
Everyday
Used among sailing enthusiasts and in marina conversations.
Technical
Specifies a hull and rig design optimized for steady cruising with auxiliary power, often with a displacement hull and generous fuel/water capacity.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “motor sailer”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “motor sailer”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “motor sailer”
- Spelling as one word 'motorsailor' (confusing it with the person 'sailor').
- Using it to describe a powerboat with token sails.
- Pronouncing 'sailer' identically to 'sailor' (they are homophones in many dialects).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, by definition it is a sailing vessel. Its design prioritizes sailing performance, but with the crucial addition of a substantial motor system for flexibility and safety.
Yes, this is common and is called 'motor-sailing'. It is done to increase speed, maintain steerage in light winds, or power into headwinds.
All motor sailers are sailing yachts, but not vice-versa. 'Motor sailer' specifies a type of sailing yacht designed with a powerful auxiliary engine, often with features like a pilothouse and greater fuel capacity, intended for serious passagemaking.
Under sail alone, they are often slower than lightweight pure sailing yachts due to their heavier, more robust construction. However, their ability to make consistent progress under power often means they achieve better passage times overall in variable conditions.
A sailing vessel equipped with a motor that provides auxiliary power.
Motor sailer is usually specialist/technical (maritime) in register.
Motor sailer: in British English it is pronounced /ˈməʊtə ˌseɪlə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmoʊt̬ɚ ˌseɪlɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “It has the heart of a sailer and the soul of a tugboat.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a SAILboat that can MOTOR along when the wind disappears. MOTOR + SAILer.
Conceptual Metaphor
A PRACTICAL COMPROMISE (between the freedom of wind power and the reliability of engine power).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary defining characteristic of a motor sailer?