I don't know if this is a viable option but they make bow mounted trolling motors with remote control for steering and throttle. Maybe you could add a mod for one as a bow thruster.I'm going to learn to back Bella into our slip without damage to her and the neighbors. It's a very tight maneuver
I'm hoping I can improve my wheel and rudder skills. I have corner wheel fenders on the slip fingers and other strategically placed fenders. Also someone on the dock with a line until I do better. Prop walk is my enemy.I don't know if this is a viable option but they make bow mounted trolling motors with remote control for steering and throttle. Maybe you could add a mod for one as a bow thruster.
- Will (Dragonfly)
It's not to kiss more princesses?My resolution is to quit making resolutions.
"Make her lighter" is an evolution I've been working on with my boat for many years.Make her lighter and sail her faster! New jib on order so the excuses are pretty much gone!
Every spring on both BlueJ and Kestrel, EVERYTHING comes off the boat and onto the dock. Everything. Then only what we want/need goes back on. Its a pain but it saves up hundreds of pounds."Make her lighter" is an evolution I've been working on with my boat for many years.
Every spring, I find more pounds to remove. Stuff that has just become permanently stored, I take off. It all adds up. Old boat, new boat, taking weight off let's you sail more in lighter wind. Lighter is faster.
Does that mean by taking the extra chain rode off the boat I don’t need worry about the extra Christmas pounds that shows up on the hips?"Make her lighter"
it's all proportional. Heavier captain, larger boat, less weight per foot of water line.Does that mean by taking the extra chain rode off the boat I don’t need worry about the extra Christmas pounds that shows up on the hips?
@Justin_NSA I find it most difficult if there is a strong cross-breeze at the slip. The nose keeps wanting to turn and you don't have enough speed to keep way. A spring-line attached at a mid-ship cleat can help a lot with that if you find a cross wind is giving you fits. I sometimes set one up on my shroud's chain plate before I enter the marina and sail up to and slightly past the "windward" pylon of my slip, then run the line around the pylon and take it back to the cockpit and wrap it around the transom cleat. Put the motor in reverse and using the spring line I can get the stern turned into the slip and keep the nose pointed out. This also works well if you get some help from a neighbor on the dock......Also someone on the dock with a line until I do better....