What have you done to control the walking to port when you try to go in reverse. Even in idle. The boat walks more then any other sailboat I have ever handled. I have handled boats for many years and this one is alarming. What have any owners done to correct this problem. Please reply to bartong10@yahoo.com your cxomments will be appreciated.
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Doug
Backing a 34
The only solution I have found is to apply more power in reverse than you would think necessary. D.Sanford Gryphon--Hull 821
The only solution I have found is to apply more power in reverse than you would think necessary. D.Sanford Gryphon--Hull 821
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Pete SMith
Backing a C34
Bart, Our 2001, C-34 with a fixed three bladed prop does back to port. When approaching the slip I approach SLOWLY with the head in and stern out from the finger pier. While in slow astern with forward progress I will even steer to port. As she slows to almost stop, I will give a short spert of astern and walk the stern as desired. A slow approach speed minimizes the need to back and walking to port. When backing and moving astern the rudder seems to be able to overcome the walk to port. By knowing that the tendency is there, I try to use it to best advantage.
Bart, Our 2001, C-34 with a fixed three bladed prop does back to port. When approaching the slip I approach SLOWLY with the head in and stern out from the finger pier. While in slow astern with forward progress I will even steer to port. As she slows to almost stop, I will give a short spert of astern and walk the stern as desired. A slow approach speed minimizes the need to back and walking to port. When backing and moving astern the rudder seems to be able to overcome the walk to port. By knowing that the tendency is there, I try to use it to best advantage.
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BW
Prop Walk
When reversing, I usually burst or thrust in spurts. This gets you moving and then lets the rudder bite and take control, which you can steer. This technique works very well. I have never had prop walk in idle, so I don't know what to do about that.
When reversing, I usually burst or thrust in spurts. This gets you moving and then lets the rudder bite and take control, which you can steer. This technique works very well. I have never had prop walk in idle, so I don't know what to do about that.
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Pat Tyler
walk to port
I have a 320 which also walk to port a great deal. My solution is to get the boat at a 90 deg angle to the slip then go to about 3/4 reverse and just let the prop walk do the docking. Works great and if you go a little too much a little forward brings the bow back to port.
I have a 320 which also walk to port a great deal. My solution is to get the boat at a 90 deg angle to the slip then go to about 3/4 reverse and just let the prop walk do the docking. Works great and if you go a little too much a little forward brings the bow back to port.
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Ernie April
Autoprop helps
Hey, Bart- Not an inexpensive cure, but there are many other super Autoprop advantages than just reducing prop walk. The self-pitching Autoprop has the most powerful reverse action of any prop on the market (cf MIT Propeller Test Reports). I've backed out over 150' of a narrow, $$-yacht-lined slip at Newport - straight as an arrow - to the amazement of a dockfull of folks who fully expected another form of entertainment. I can actually back to stbd! It's not possible to get prop walk in idle unless you've got a trany problem. When alongside the dock, look in the engine compartment to see if the shaft is turning when in neutral. It shouldn't unless you're in a fierce current. Speaking of current, if you have a cross current at your dock, it's effect on the rudder is not insignificant and may appear as prop walk or magnify the effect. Ernie April (WindCatcher, C-42 #618)
Hey, Bart- Not an inexpensive cure, but there are many other super Autoprop advantages than just reducing prop walk. The self-pitching Autoprop has the most powerful reverse action of any prop on the market (cf MIT Propeller Test Reports). I've backed out over 150' of a narrow, $$-yacht-lined slip at Newport - straight as an arrow - to the amazement of a dockfull of folks who fully expected another form of entertainment. I can actually back to stbd! It's not possible to get prop walk in idle unless you've got a trany problem. When alongside the dock, look in the engine compartment to see if the shaft is turning when in neutral. It shouldn't unless you're in a fierce current. Speaking of current, if you have a cross current at your dock, it's effect on the rudder is not insignificant and may appear as prop walk or magnify the effect. Ernie April (WindCatcher, C-42 #618)
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Simon Capell
Prop walk in reverse
Huge burst of astern, then neutral and steer slightly to starboard then another burst of astern to keep up progress. Also, If you have to turn in a confined space, a clockwise turn can be accomplished similarly, with a burst of ahead then once you are steering to starboard and moving, a gentle amount of astern locks in the prop walk and the boat should turn in a very short space.
Huge burst of astern, then neutral and steer slightly to starboard then another burst of astern to keep up progress. Also, If you have to turn in a confined space, a clockwise turn can be accomplished similarly, with a burst of ahead then once you are steering to starboard and moving, a gentle amount of astern locks in the prop walk and the boat should turn in a very short space.
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Michael McCann
Not all Boats are
the same below the water line. Some refuse to go sideways, and sometimes refuse to tack, because of the keel, skeg, and rudder. Every boat I've seen with a fin keel, spade rudder, and a fixed prop, will walk. Right hand props walk to port in reverse, and left hand props walk to starboard.
the same below the water line. Some refuse to go sideways, and sometimes refuse to tack, because of the keel, skeg, and rudder. Every boat I've seen with a fin keel, spade rudder, and a fixed prop, will walk. Right hand props walk to port in reverse, and left hand props walk to starboard.
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