The Greener Perspective

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Just to put things into proper perspective: When it comes to water-bound polluters, sailors are the smallest of small fries. But a search for proper perspective on environmental issues can be maddening. Whenever I dig deeply into the topic, I soon find myself far down a rabbit hole conversing with hatters and griffins.

The surging movement of “green” consumerism is particularly sticky. At the surface, the trend inspires hope. The wider non-sailing marketplace is finally reflecting sailors long-held concern for the environment, and manufacturers are responding

Practical Sailor tester Frank Lanier

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to this development (and some tough legislation) by offering what they deem eco-friendly products. Conveniently, some of the green products actually cost less than the products they replace. Even better, most are far safer to use.

But measuring the environmental impact of any product defies simplification, particularly if you want to gauge the products carbon footprint, the amount of carbon that is pumped into the atmosphere as a result of the product during its life. Add to this mix an unscrupulous marketer out to make a buck, and the truth becomes even murkier.

“Practically Green: Bottoms and Topsides,” a special report beginning on page 16, sifts through past

Practical Sailor tests and offers some eco-friendly choices for common maintenance needs. Dealing solely with the various cleaners and paints our testers have evaluated over the years, the study is hardly comprehensive, and it makes no account for carbon emissions. Nevertheless, I found it to be an eye-opening exercise, one that helped put things in perspective.

My biggest concern regarding the green movement is that the emphasis on eco-friendly products can obscure the relatively larger gains to be made by lifestyle changes. Cruising sailors have always taken pride in treading lightly, but over the past two decades, theres been a clear shift in what constitutes a light touch. While the manufacturers of marine “consumables” like batteries, coatings, and cleaners are moving to reduce their impact on the environment, the newest cruising boats are weighed down by all the power-hungry conveniences of a small apartment. Granted, even these mini-luxury liners barely dimple the environmental landscape comparatively, but the trend toward larger, genset-supported pleasure palaces is too conspicuous to ignore.

In the simplest terms, the sailors art requires working in concert with the forces of nature. It is a visceral experience, and in its extreme, the sport is as physically challenging as any. As our bodies age, its only natural that we look for the comforts of a longer waterline, and explore every possible mechanical advantage. But I can’t help but worry that as new boat dealers continue to push bigger boats with more sophisticated systems and cushier comforts, something is getting lost along the way.

Im just hoping it isn’t a sense of perspective.

Darrell Nicholson
Editor

Darrell Nicholson
Practical Sailor has been independently testing and reporting on sailboats and sailing gear for more than 50 years. Supported entirely by subscribers, Practical Sailor accepts no advertising. Its independent tests are carried out by experienced sailors and marine industry professionals dedicated to providing objective evaluation and reporting about boats, gear, and the skills required to cross oceans. Practical Sailor is edited by Darrell Nicholson, a long-time liveaboard sailor and trans-Pacific cruiser who has been director of Belvoir Media Group's marine division since 2005. He holds a U.S. Coast Guard 100-ton Master license, has logged tens of thousands of miles in three oceans, and has skippered everything from pilot boats to day charter cats. His weekly blog Inside Practical Sailor offers an inside look at current research and gear tests at Practical Sailor, while his award-winning column,"Rhumb Lines," tracks boating trends and reflects upon the sailing life. He sails a Sparkman & Stephens-designed Yankee 30 out of St. Petersburg, Florida. You can reach him by email at practicalsailor@belvoir.com.