430 boat handling problems

[trichardson]

I have aquired a Hunter 430 and am having some boat handling problems, especially when motoring, and specifically when landing the boat. I am not a novice so I don't think it is inexperience, however, the boat is new to me.

The boat seems to have a pronounced tendancy to turn stern to wind in a cross wind. I know it is normal for a boat to do this but it seems overly pronounced on the 430. I have noticed that the mast is situated pretty far forward of mid-ships and on the leading edge of the keel. I am wondering if the windage of the mast and rigging puts an extra twist on the bow.

It is quite a handful to keep under control when coming into a slip or dock when the wind is more than 5 K.

Also, there doesn't seem to be much prop walk in reverse. I have come to rely on prop walk on my other boats and if I had more it would help counteract the bow swing.

Any ideas?

Trichardson

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

Our 40.5 handles similarly. The key may be disturbing to the passengers but the more speed, the more control. I know this is often difficult to put in practice when docking. You have a big rudder but it only works when lots of water is flowing past it.

 

[Alan]

Don has a very valid point with regard to the rudder. The rudder is only effective when water is flowing past it. The slower you travel the less effective the rudder becomes. But with all due respect the 'disturbance to the passengers' should have no weight when it comes to proper helmsmanship.
A large factor in how efficiently a boat handles is the condition of the bottom. Slime and other growth can greatly impede boat responsiveness. I would start by cleaning the bottom and use more speed while docking and a greater use of reverse prop to stop the boat in the last few feet. On my boat I can bring the boat to a complete stop in just over a boat length at 4 or 5kts which is far more speed than is needed to safely control your boat while entering your slip.
Windage can be a real factor with boats that have lots of freeboard, dodgers, awnings, and much of the other things that some folks are willing to hang on their boats. Your anticipation of this will come with a little practice and learning how to compensate.

 

[timvg]

Our boat handles similar, so i expect you'll get used to it. I do quite a bit of single handle docking. Here are a few examples of my experiences:

1. Let's say you are coming into a dock on the starboard side (wind is blowing you into it from the port side and slightly astern). I can literally bring the boat to a stop, tie up the stern line and the boat will just sit there, as I leisurely walk up the dock and get the bow line. The wind blows the bow in, giving you plenty of time.

2. if the above is true, but the wind is forward of the beam, it will still work, just walk a little faster to the bow line.

3. I used to dock in a downwind slip regularly in 20 knots of wind (Hurricane Gulch for those from S. CA). The Hunters will point downwind like an arrow. I would bring the boat to a stop and even a slight bit of reverse. I'd step off the boat and use the mid ship cleat and tie it to the dock's rear cleat. Then I'd grap the stern line and tie it to the same cleat. the boat would pretty much just sit there, while i walked on the dock to get the bow line.

4. The most difficult of course is when the boat is being blown off of the dock. I had that also when I used to be in Seattle in a double slip and blown into my neighbor's boat. Instead of fighting it, I just rigged several fenders up high and when I came to a stop, if it was windy, I let my boat gently blow downwind to our neighbors boat. This is exactly the same as rafting. Then I'd step off of the neighbor boat and have all the time in the world to tie my boat up correctly.

5. And then, not very often (but once in a while), I mess up, usually when there is no wind. The reason is simple: It's a boat

 

[trichardson]

Thanks for all the advise, guys. I will just keep trying.

Trichardson