Someone actually tried that "blue tarp" things, sailing from San Pedro California to the off shore Island of Catalina 26 miles away.

The make-shift "sail" almost imediately blew out and shredded just after leaving the safety of the harbor.

Havng no engine or outboard, he and the boat drifted in the southward currents for weeks. He survived by drinking rain water and eating seagulls that he caught and cooked, breaking up parts of the cabin for fuel.

He was finally rescued just off the coast of Central America.

Blue tarp used for sails, well, not so good.