41% of responding Hunter owners back into slips, according to last week's Quick Quiz. Does your boat back the way you'd like? Or, is backing your vessel the same as turning to port? Did a change of prop make a difference? Or do you believe a skipper's skill is more important than erroneous equipment? Slip your options in here.
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An Issue of Visibility
I am now a Great Lakes boater housing my boat on Lake St Clair and find it quite interesting that a majority of sailboats are backed into the slips in this area. Most of my earlier boating days were on the Chesapeake Bay and Lower Potomac River where being able to back a boat into your slip was a matter of pride. No one ever thought of pulling in bow first.....it just was not done. I can remember back to my first time. I had reheased it many times in my mind prior to my first docking. Obviously, everyone was present for this newbees first effort. And, as is most always the case, all did not go smoothly. But I learned. Then, I moved to the Mid West, not by choice but rather at my Uncle's direction (Sam) and low-and-behold, almost everyone docked bow first. Originally, I was in a small sailing marina consisting of 36 slips (and even less sailboats). I was the only craft that backed into his slip. Now, I am in a marina that splits a common common water access with another marina. I am docked in slip 76 out of 126. There are more slips than that across the 50 foot expanse of water separating the two marinas. Most of the docks of the two marinas are on this water way. Which means a lot of boat traffic. Both marinas also house a lot of power boats ranging from 17 to 50 feet. All here dock bow in. In this case there is no issue of pride or who can do what best. The issue is safety. On the bridge of a large power boat, you can see what is coming before you are in harms way. On a sailboat docked next to a large power boat, it is impossible to see over or around him until you are out far enough in the waterway to see past him. If you were in stern first, your entire (or a great deal of) craft would be in harms way before you could see oncoming traffic. By docking bow first, only a small portion of your boat is exposed prior to getting a clear view of oncoming traffic. Before I first docked my boat, I asked the marina manager which he preferred (bow in or stern in). He said that they required the boats to dock bow in. It is a matter of being able to see oncoming traffic before a problem exists.....it is a matter of safety. Pride takes a back seat here.
I am now a Great Lakes boater housing my boat on Lake St Clair and find it quite interesting that a majority of sailboats are backed into the slips in this area. Most of my earlier boating days were on the Chesapeake Bay and Lower Potomac River where being able to back a boat into your slip was a matter of pride. No one ever thought of pulling in bow first.....it just was not done. I can remember back to my first time. I had reheased it many times in my mind prior to my first docking. Obviously, everyone was present for this newbees first effort. And, as is most always the case, all did not go smoothly. But I learned. Then, I moved to the Mid West, not by choice but rather at my Uncle's direction (Sam) and low-and-behold, almost everyone docked bow first. Originally, I was in a small sailing marina consisting of 36 slips (and even less sailboats). I was the only craft that backed into his slip. Now, I am in a marina that splits a common common water access with another marina. I am docked in slip 76 out of 126. There are more slips than that across the 50 foot expanse of water separating the two marinas. Most of the docks of the two marinas are on this water way. Which means a lot of boat traffic. Both marinas also house a lot of power boats ranging from 17 to 50 feet. All here dock bow in. In this case there is no issue of pride or who can do what best. The issue is safety. On the bridge of a large power boat, you can see what is coming before you are in harms way. On a sailboat docked next to a large power boat, it is impossible to see over or around him until you are out far enough in the waterway to see past him. If you were in stern first, your entire (or a great deal of) craft would be in harms way before you could see oncoming traffic. By docking bow first, only a small portion of your boat is exposed prior to getting a clear view of oncoming traffic. Before I first docked my boat, I asked the marina manager which he preferred (bow in or stern in). He said that they required the boats to dock bow in. It is a matter of being able to see oncoming traffic before a problem exists.....it is a matter of safety. Pride takes a back seat here.
Backing in gives me a rush!
I always back my 1990 27' into the slip, thats what the walk through transom is for! It always gives me a shakey feeling in the knees as the stern walks to port after shifting into reverse. I do get a close look at my neighbor's anchors before getting the boat to straighten out before sliding backwards into the slip. I have the standard two blade prop. My slip points east and its a real job in a strong east wind to get the bow to swing around into the wind in order to get the stern into the slip. Concentration is a must and at least it always walks the same direction, you just have to plan for it.
I always back my 1990 27' into the slip, thats what the walk through transom is for! It always gives me a shakey feeling in the knees as the stern walks to port after shifting into reverse. I do get a close look at my neighbor's anchors before getting the boat to straighten out before sliding backwards into the slip. I have the standard two blade prop. My slip points east and its a real job in a strong east wind to get the bow to swing around into the wind in order to get the stern into the slip. Concentration is a must and at least it always walks the same direction, you just have to plan for it.
It's up to nature
Stern first or bow first...depends on wind and current in our case. Slip is located in the mouth of a river which opens into a sound. River currents combined with tidal currents make it always interesting. If I had a preference, I go stern first. Stepping onto the boat through the transom is easy on my parents knees. I definately understand John's issue on safety...I never go out alone on my Vision 32, and always have a crew on bow handling the lines during launch. We have our hand signals drilled into our heads so I know exactly what is going on.
Stern first or bow first...depends on wind and current in our case. Slip is located in the mouth of a river which opens into a sound. River currents combined with tidal currents make it always interesting. If I had a preference, I go stern first. Stepping onto the boat through the transom is easy on my parents knees. I definately understand John's issue on safety...I never go out alone on my Vision 32, and always have a crew on bow handling the lines during launch. We have our hand signals drilled into our heads so I know exactly what is going on.
Depends on the wind
I like to back in my slip, it makes it so much ez'er to get in and out of my H310. However, if the wind is blowing in the wrong direction, I must go in bow first. I have a very narrow slip. Steve, s/v Obsession
I like to back in my slip, it makes it so much ez'er to get in and out of my H310. However, if the wind is blowing in the wrong direction, I must go in bow first. I have a very narrow slip. Steve, s/v Obsession
although most boats walk to port you need to learn to compensate for windage ,current ,and of course propwalk.Practice,Practice ,Practice.
Rotate!
Well, I try to rotate the boat quarterly in order to even out the sunlight exposure. That's habit from wooden boats. Since one of my old slips was such that I had to back in and out of it, I got plenty of practice. And, the prop was an outboard in a well that effectively washed out either the rudder or keel, so it was entertaining in a cross-wind. The Hunter is a piece of cake in comparison. Since it is a V32, the windage of the forward mast section means you have to keep plenty of way on, so the process tends to offer spectators an interesting diversion. RD
Well, I try to rotate the boat quarterly in order to even out the sunlight exposure. That's habit from wooden boats. Since one of my old slips was such that I had to back in and out of it, I got plenty of practice. And, the prop was an outboard in a well that effectively washed out either the rudder or keel, so it was entertaining in a cross-wind. The Hunter is a piece of cake in comparison. Since it is a V32, the windage of the forward mast section means you have to keep plenty of way on, so the process tends to offer spectators an interesting diversion. RD
Yes I CAN!
Backing into the slip gives me a real feeling of accomplishment, especially when someone is watching. Little boats tend to be put into shallower, narrower, close-to-the-bulkhead slips, so its always a challenge. I had my best landing yet two weeks ago when I slipped us in after racing. It was the best because it was in a windy downpour and I didn't bump a piling. PLUS, my crew witnessed it. Take the points when they are given. Mark. PS. Backing in has a social aspect. It kind of says to people on the dock, "Hi. Welcome to our living room."
Backing into the slip gives me a real feeling of accomplishment, especially when someone is watching. Little boats tend to be put into shallower, narrower, close-to-the-bulkhead slips, so its always a challenge. I had my best landing yet two weeks ago when I slipped us in after racing. It was the best because it was in a windy downpour and I didn't bump a piling. PLUS, my crew witnessed it. Take the points when they are given. Mark. PS. Backing in has a social aspect. It kind of says to people on the dock, "Hi. Welcome to our living room."
Easy Enough
I've always found my Legend 37 (1988) easy to maneuver in reverse (until the wind catched the bow). It'll back straight or even turn corners.
I've always found my Legend 37 (1988) easy to maneuver in reverse (until the wind catched the bow). It'll back straight or even turn corners.
Backing Weather Solution
Weather and ease of entering stern of 340 means backing in. Heaviest storms normally come from the SW to NW in our area. Bow out means the boat handles the storm best in our double fingered 16 foot wide,35 foot long slips, with more docks in front. In 20 knot cross winds, the dock is approached at up to 4 knots to avoid sideslip problems with the bow. The feathering maxiprop handles the stopping nicely in a very short distance in such conditions. But it does make life exiting. Hit dock once three years ago when we entered too slowly.
Weather and ease of entering stern of 340 means backing in. Heaviest storms normally come from the SW to NW in our area. Bow out means the boat handles the storm best in our double fingered 16 foot wide,35 foot long slips, with more docks in front. In 20 knot cross winds, the dock is approached at up to 4 knots to avoid sideslip problems with the bow. The feathering maxiprop handles the stopping nicely in a very short distance in such conditions. But it does make life exiting. Hit dock once three years ago when we entered too slowly.
It depends on your point of view
I always back into my narrow slip. There is a considerable tidal current in our channel which is a greater problem than the wind. Here's the problem: even compensating for the current, when half-way into the slip, the force is removed from the stern, but remains on the bow, causing a 'fairly stimulating' turn into a piling. General solution: build up sternway to 3 knots or so, to get steerage control. Conceptual trick: stand up forward of the wheel and face towards the stern. Now the steering works astern just like it does forward. Success in my case depends on not being shy with the throttle at critical moments.
I always back into my narrow slip. There is a considerable tidal current in our channel which is a greater problem than the wind. Here's the problem: even compensating for the current, when half-way into the slip, the force is removed from the stern, but remains on the bow, causing a 'fairly stimulating' turn into a piling. General solution: build up sternway to 3 knots or so, to get steerage control. Conceptual trick: stand up forward of the wheel and face towards the stern. Now the steering works astern just like it does forward. Success in my case depends on not being shy with the throttle at critical moments.
A method to try
I sail on a friends Catalina 30. His solution to backing in is to get on the the front side of the wheel and face backwards. You can then just drive it in like a car. He just gets up a little backward momentum, it helps that his boat stops very quickly when he throws it in forward.
I sail on a friends Catalina 30. His solution to backing in is to get on the the front side of the wheel and face backwards. You can then just drive it in like a car. He just gets up a little backward momentum, it helps that his boat stops very quickly when he throws it in forward.
It depends on local circumstances..and practice..
With my 29.5 I mostly back in my slip , unless there is strong wind from aback , which can keep the bow from turning the final 90 degree into the slip. Generally , in strong crossing and from aback wind I go bow in. Going stern to ,it's good practice to always face back from the moment the boat starting to move aback ! Have a high RPM to start with to gain some speed,steering amidship , then lower the RPM to avoid goin to port..(on Yanmars). Unless wind dictates otherwise , don't rush it, and have your crew prepared at the bow. Practice , and understanding the prop pitch effect, wind efect on the bow , (and current if folding prop!!) , make it much eassier. It does for me. Playing with trottle forward and reverse , you can turn on the spot.
With my 29.5 I mostly back in my slip , unless there is strong wind from aback , which can keep the bow from turning the final 90 degree into the slip. Generally , in strong crossing and from aback wind I go bow in. Going stern to ,it's good practice to always face back from the moment the boat starting to move aback ! Have a high RPM to start with to gain some speed,steering amidship , then lower the RPM to avoid goin to port..(on Yanmars). Unless wind dictates otherwise , don't rush it, and have your crew prepared at the bow. Practice , and understanding the prop pitch effect, wind efect on the bow , (and current if folding prop!!) , make it much eassier. It does for me. Playing with trottle forward and reverse , you can turn on the spot.
Piling Turn
I back our 37.5 in no matter what the wind. But is is tricky. Our fairway is very narrow (about 60 ft across) requiring a sharp starboard turn to stand the boat up prior to backing. If the wind is blowing into the slip it makes that starboard turn very difficult. But if I lay the port side of the boat against the pilings (thats what that rub rail is for) and take what will be the port bow line and put it to the port stern cleat and back against the stern line the boat will stand up into 20 kt winds. When it looks right just back off the power, release the stern line from the cleat and have someone carry it forward. Some one else grabs the opposite starboard bow line and carrys it forward and the boat smoothly (usually) slides into the slip. If the bow starts to drift there is someone on either side to correct. If the stern starts to drift I can correct by again having someone on the bow pull the opposite line or use the rudder and engine. I think I have much better control of the stern as it moves into the slip than I would have of the bow. Yes, it only works in heavy wind with a couple of people. In light winds my wife and I can back it in with no problems. I don't single hand the boat. It doesn't even remotely sound like fun. Good backing. Les
I back our 37.5 in no matter what the wind. But is is tricky. Our fairway is very narrow (about 60 ft across) requiring a sharp starboard turn to stand the boat up prior to backing. If the wind is blowing into the slip it makes that starboard turn very difficult. But if I lay the port side of the boat against the pilings (thats what that rub rail is for) and take what will be the port bow line and put it to the port stern cleat and back against the stern line the boat will stand up into 20 kt winds. When it looks right just back off the power, release the stern line from the cleat and have someone carry it forward. Some one else grabs the opposite starboard bow line and carrys it forward and the boat smoothly (usually) slides into the slip. If the bow starts to drift there is someone on either side to correct. If the stern starts to drift I can correct by again having someone on the bow pull the opposite line or use the rudder and engine. I think I have much better control of the stern as it moves into the slip than I would have of the bow. Yes, it only works in heavy wind with a couple of people. In light winds my wife and I can back it in with no problems. I don't single hand the boat. It doesn't even remotely sound like fun. Good backing. Les
Haven't got enough guts
With a "77 H30, 12hp Yanmar with a tremendous prop walk to starboard there is very little control in reverse and I have to get into a slip that has very little room around it. Bow first works great in that when backing out the prop walk aids in backing almost into the bulkhead before I can swithch to forward and get out. Someday I might give backing it in a try when noone is around. Will have to build up speed early to be able to keep it straight between the finger piers before it is time to turn into the slip. Will be an exiting time for sure. Karl
With a "77 H30, 12hp Yanmar with a tremendous prop walk to starboard there is very little control in reverse and I have to get into a slip that has very little room around it. Bow first works great in that when backing out the prop walk aids in backing almost into the bulkhead before I can swithch to forward and get out. Someday I might give backing it in a try when noone is around. Will have to build up speed early to be able to keep it straight between the finger piers before it is time to turn into the slip. Will be an exiting time for sure. Karl
Pull it in
Our slip faces within a couple degress of the predominate wind. With the walk through transom it only makes sense to back in. I leave the stern lines at the end of my slip when we leave the dock.When we return I get the boat close enough to grab ahold of the line on the dock and the walk the boat into the slip. It may not apear to be the most graceful manuver but I have not bumped anything yet.
Our slip faces within a couple degress of the predominate wind. With the walk through transom it only makes sense to back in. I leave the stern lines at the end of my slip when we leave the dock.When we return I get the boat close enough to grab ahold of the line on the dock and the walk the boat into the slip. It may not apear to be the most graceful manuver but I have not bumped anything yet.
Try this?
My father and I have recently discovered the joys and tribulations of backing into our slip, but with the open transom we feel guilty pulling in bow first. Recently, I took the boat out of our slip and practiced pulling the boat in and out of multiple slips to get my confidence up and to test out different methods of backing in. What I've found that works best is to pass our slip up by about a boat length (very important to have a slip that is to your port side, keeping the boat more toward the starboard slips as you throw it into reverse...this allows you more room/time to take advantage of the natural port movement of the stern, and once I get the momentum going, I put it into neutral and steer her in without a problem...one touch of forward to end the motion and I even get away with docking solo! Happy backing...I think it is a mental thing...practice and back with confidence. George. Houston, TX.
My father and I have recently discovered the joys and tribulations of backing into our slip, but with the open transom we feel guilty pulling in bow first. Recently, I took the boat out of our slip and practiced pulling the boat in and out of multiple slips to get my confidence up and to test out different methods of backing in. What I've found that works best is to pass our slip up by about a boat length (very important to have a slip that is to your port side, keeping the boat more toward the starboard slips as you throw it into reverse...this allows you more room/time to take advantage of the natural port movement of the stern, and once I get the momentum going, I put it into neutral and steer her in without a problem...one touch of forward to end the motion and I even get away with docking solo! Happy backing...I think it is a mental thing...practice and back with confidence. George. Houston, TX.
"Back" to Basics
Keep in mind the basics and "backing" a Hunter into a slip is a pleasure. Shallow "S" turns approaching the slip to assure beam clearance and maintain steerage. Practice makes perfect, enjoy your walk thru transom!
Keep in mind the basics and "backing" a Hunter into a slip is a pleasure. Shallow "S" turns approaching the slip to assure beam clearance and maintain steerage. Practice makes perfect, enjoy your walk thru transom!
Stern to the wind
I always back into the slip. One of the keys to success for me is to always back into the wind. By backing into the wind, you will have more control at a lower speed.
I always back into the slip. One of the keys to success for me is to always back into the wind. By backing into the wind, you will have more control at a lower speed.
Pilotage
I have frequently disgraced myself trying to back our H26, especially in a cross wind. Our slip has the extra "challenge" of a piling that is off-line, narrowing the approach. I know it can be done, though; I saw Mark Burrows back in during a sharp squall in a H26 at Solomons last weekend. I use a technique I learned in (airplane) flight training - crabbing. I get as far in front of the slip as conditions allow and turn left, bringing the slip to about my 8:00 or 9:00 position. When I reverse the engine very slowly, the stern ALWAYS walks left (asymetrical thrust from O/B) before the rudder gains authority. If you start with enough crab angle, by the time the rudder starts to work you are about lined up. Like my CFI always said "Small corrrections, timely made!"
I have frequently disgraced myself trying to back our H26, especially in a cross wind. Our slip has the extra "challenge" of a piling that is off-line, narrowing the approach. I know it can be done, though; I saw Mark Burrows back in during a sharp squall in a H26 at Solomons last weekend. I use a technique I learned in (airplane) flight training - crabbing. I get as far in front of the slip as conditions allow and turn left, bringing the slip to about my 8:00 or 9:00 position. When I reverse the engine very slowly, the stern ALWAYS walks left (asymetrical thrust from O/B) before the rudder gains authority. If you start with enough crab angle, by the time the rudder starts to work you are about lined up. Like my CFI always said "Small corrrections, timely made!"
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