Subsonic said..
Standard practice in my mates S80. It was even more fun after a couple of beers.
About eight years ago I was finishing up a great day's sailing on Sydney harbour.
It was a winter's Sunday evening, getting dark. I had a couple on board and their baby being looked after by a friend off the boat.
My motor would not start. What could I do?
I rang the CYCA to get a tow. All staff had gone home and no one left in the club to help me.
I repeatedly rang marine rescue who did not answer which is understandable at 8pm.
I rang the water police and explained the situation. The officer's comment was 'you've rang at an inconvenient time'.
He then went on to explain that the shifts were changing over and it would be about one hour before they could come to help me.
He then suggested 'why not sail her in'.
The wind was a light southerly. I remember tacking back and forth between boats with a lot of luck and just enough momentum.
At the entrance to C arm I dropped the main and just had enough jib on my furler to keep us going.
The berth are lined north to south so I was reaching down ok.
I turned into the wind and nearly made it into the berth.
Unfortunately for me I was blown backwards across the channel but luck was with me as the berth opposite was empty.
We tied up there very relieved. My crew member went across and I threw him a line and we pulled the Catalina into my berth.
The Catalina's engine managed to die a couple more times over time and I eventually became confident with crew to sail her into the berth if necessary.
