We just bought a used 1995 Hunter 29.5. It seems like the only thing that is giving me trouble is backing the boat into the slip. Any pointers for a beginner on this model would be appreciated.
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Bob Zolczer
Prop wash, current and wind can be tricky.
Prop wash pulls the stern to port in reverse, pushes the stern to starboard in forward. The bow has a lot of "sail" area and can be blown off easily by the wind with no way on. I find backing much easier if the boat is moving through the water, otherwise prop wash, wind and current can play havoc with plans. A little experimenting in open water can help a lot. Practicing where you won't run into things plays dividends.
Prop wash pulls the stern to port in reverse, pushes the stern to starboard in forward. The bow has a lot of "sail" area and can be blown off easily by the wind with no way on. I find backing much easier if the boat is moving through the water, otherwise prop wash, wind and current can play havoc with plans. A little experimenting in open water can help a lot. Practicing where you won't run into things plays dividends.
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Russ Garecht
Here is how I do it!
Take the boat in bow first, then pass one of the stern dock line across the stern. Give the boat a good shove back out of the slip. Pull the line tight and cleat it. The boat will spin around. Pull it back into the slip stern first. I have done this single handed but obviously, the more help the better. Like Bob said, the bow make a great sail. Unless you have room enough to have the boat moving a stern with some distance (overcome initial prop wash) and speed it is not an easy maneuver. A tip: the few times I have successfully backed in under motor it was DEAD calm and I stood next to the wheel facing to stern. We have a large wheel, so it is not hard to do. Pick some thing like an anchoring buoy and practice. Take it from experience, the pointy end is more forgiving and will let you ‘kinda’ slide in if its’ not centered. If the wide flat end isn’t centered you stop real fast. Russ Her Diamond Ring
Take the boat in bow first, then pass one of the stern dock line across the stern. Give the boat a good shove back out of the slip. Pull the line tight and cleat it. The boat will spin around. Pull it back into the slip stern first. I have done this single handed but obviously, the more help the better. Like Bob said, the bow make a great sail. Unless you have room enough to have the boat moving a stern with some distance (overcome initial prop wash) and speed it is not an easy maneuver. A tip: the few times I have successfully backed in under motor it was DEAD calm and I stood next to the wheel facing to stern. We have a large wheel, so it is not hard to do. Pick some thing like an anchoring buoy and practice. Take it from experience, the pointy end is more forgiving and will let you ‘kinda’ slide in if its’ not centered. If the wide flat end isn’t centered you stop real fast. Russ Her Diamond Ring
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Mulf
Keeping boat in motion is my suggestion
1999 was my first season with a 97 29.5. After a season of practice I can usually slide right into my slip in reverse without a problem. The biggest pointers I have are to allow for the propwalk to port in reverse, even using it to line up, and to get the boat moving well before trying to turn. I go past the slip more than a boat length, give it a good amount of throttle in reverse to get the boat moving well, shift to neutral and then turn into the slip. Taks a little bit of daring to back in at speed but once you get used to it, it works quite well. If you are able to back in to the slip so that the stern has to move to port you can even leave the prop turning as it will pull the stern around more. Try practicing during the week when you don't have much of an audience. Good luck.
1999 was my first season with a 97 29.5. After a season of practice I can usually slide right into my slip in reverse without a problem. The biggest pointers I have are to allow for the propwalk to port in reverse, even using it to line up, and to get the boat moving well before trying to turn. I go past the slip more than a boat length, give it a good amount of throttle in reverse to get the boat moving well, shift to neutral and then turn into the slip. Taks a little bit of daring to back in at speed but once you get used to it, it works quite well. If you are able to back in to the slip so that the stern has to move to port you can even leave the prop turning as it will pull the stern around more. Try practicing during the week when you don't have much of an audience. Good luck.
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Alex
Reg the kick to port in reverse..
along with the previous post remarks, after the initial speed in reverse is gained , lower the trottle as low as posible ; the prop wash will be minimal and the steering more precise.Prop wash obviously is less when prop RPM is minimal , and vice versa.
along with the previous post remarks, after the initial speed in reverse is gained , lower the trottle as low as posible ; the prop wash will be minimal and the steering more precise.Prop wash obviously is less when prop RPM is minimal , and vice versa.
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Gary
Backing in
I like to back into a tight spot if the wind is blowing off the bow. When I go in forward, the wind can easily catch the bow and there is little you can do to correct the situation. By backing in, the power is astern and it is like driving a front wheel car. You do have to anticipate the prop effects. I have found that short burst of power to get motion and then reduce throttle or use neutral will help to overcome the prop walk.
I like to back into a tight spot if the wind is blowing off the bow. When I go in forward, the wind can easily catch the bow and there is little you can do to correct the situation. By backing in, the power is astern and it is like driving a front wheel car. You do have to anticipate the prop effects. I have found that short burst of power to get motion and then reduce throttle or use neutral will help to overcome the prop walk.
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Doug
On a fairly calm day, my approach
I go past my slip by two boat lengths. give it a good kick in reverse to get stopped and start moving. At about half a knot or so, I aim my stern at the outer most corner of our slip until I'm about 10 or 15 feet away. At that point I go hard over to bring bow around and straighten her out. I am so good at doing it this way (I know, Im bragging) that the crew can simply step off onto the dock step to go secure lines. I can even do myself with ease. Remember when you give her some forward to slow down and stop the stern will want to walk to starboard. That is why with propper timing it will coast to stop and not counting the wind your boat will be lined up perfectly with dock. One more note, we have 3 fenders tied up to dock so that we don't have any fears of get coat damage (good for shorthanded crew). Doug
I go past my slip by two boat lengths. give it a good kick in reverse to get stopped and start moving. At about half a knot or so, I aim my stern at the outer most corner of our slip until I'm about 10 or 15 feet away. At that point I go hard over to bring bow around and straighten her out. I am so good at doing it this way (I know, Im bragging) that the crew can simply step off onto the dock step to go secure lines. I can even do myself with ease. Remember when you give her some forward to slow down and stop the stern will want to walk to starboard. That is why with propper timing it will coast to stop and not counting the wind your boat will be lined up perfectly with dock. One more note, we have 3 fenders tied up to dock so that we don't have any fears of get coat damage (good for shorthanded crew). Doug
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Charles Duhon
What Prop Wash?!?!?
We had terrible prop wash in reverse and it made backing in very difficult. After adding "non-slip tips" to our existing prop, the boat back straight as an arrow!!! All I have to deal with is the cross wind effect. Even at almost full reverse power there is very little prop walk! This really helped improve my docking skills. I highly recommend Kilian Propellers in San Leandro CA (they're on the web). About $140, and it really works! Charles Duhon "Artistry"
We had terrible prop wash in reverse and it made backing in very difficult. After adding "non-slip tips" to our existing prop, the boat back straight as an arrow!!! All I have to deal with is the cross wind effect. Even at almost full reverse power there is very little prop walk! This really helped improve my docking skills. I highly recommend Kilian Propellers in San Leandro CA (they're on the web). About $140, and it really works! Charles Duhon "Artistry"
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Andy Falls
Careful but not bashful
Stop well away from your slip and other boats. Step to the forward side of the wheel facing aft (now, right is right, left is left, forward on the throttle is the direction you're facing (with a little kick to the right) and vice versa) JAM the throttle to about 1500 rpm and then back off Keep your speed up and drive it in (PS you don't have to be straight in line with the slip, especially if this would put you in the position of having the wind blow the bow off. More speed compensates for the wind. So while you have to be careful, don't be too shy about speed for steerage) BTW, people ask me why I back in ..that is until they see how easy it is to get off/on the boat! Neat cockpit arrangement
Stop well away from your slip and other boats. Step to the forward side of the wheel facing aft (now, right is right, left is left, forward on the throttle is the direction you're facing (with a little kick to the right) and vice versa) JAM the throttle to about 1500 rpm and then back off Keep your speed up and drive it in (PS you don't have to be straight in line with the slip, especially if this would put you in the position of having the wind blow the bow off. More speed compensates for the wind. So while you have to be careful, don't be too shy about speed for steerage) BTW, people ask me why I back in ..that is until they see how easy it is to get off/on the boat! Neat cockpit arrangement
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Clint
help with backing the 29.5
I have my 29.5 since it was new in 1996. I find that this boat is the easiest boat there is to back up. We are out every week end here on Long Islands Great South Bay. At marinas I allways back it in. At my home marina I have to back down a long narrow waterway with boats on both sides. On lookers are constanly amazed as I back down and parallel park it in between two other boats in a space just a little longer than the boat, along a bulkhead. I have some practice at this but it is mostly the boat. What I do is this. Stand behind the wheel, so that you are looking off the stern. (This is the secrete, believe me) Now steer the boat as if the back of the boat is the front , looking right at the back of the boat. This way you are not looking over your shoulder. You don't need full throttle, just enough to move. Once you are going pretty good put the boat in neutral and let the boat speed carry you. If you need more speed give it a little reverse and then neutral again. You will find that you will very easily be able to control speed and direction. If your stern goes to far left or right , put the boat in forward reverce the wheel all the way and the stern will come back, put it back to reverse and then neutral again. Hope this helps
I have my 29.5 since it was new in 1996. I find that this boat is the easiest boat there is to back up. We are out every week end here on Long Islands Great South Bay. At marinas I allways back it in. At my home marina I have to back down a long narrow waterway with boats on both sides. On lookers are constanly amazed as I back down and parallel park it in between two other boats in a space just a little longer than the boat, along a bulkhead. I have some practice at this but it is mostly the boat. What I do is this. Stand behind the wheel, so that you are looking off the stern. (This is the secrete, believe me) Now steer the boat as if the back of the boat is the front , looking right at the back of the boat. This way you are not looking over your shoulder. You don't need full throttle, just enough to move. Once you are going pretty good put the boat in neutral and let the boat speed carry you. If you need more speed give it a little reverse and then neutral again. You will find that you will very easily be able to control speed and direction. If your stern goes to far left or right , put the boat in forward reverce the wheel all the way and the stern will come back, put it back to reverse and then neutral again. Hope this helps
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