I recently purchased a 1982 catalina 38. Love the boat!!! Being new to boating there are a few issues I'm having a hard time figuring out. First my boat does not want to back to the starboard side when backing out of the slip??? I am in a very calm protected marina so there is not much current. When motoring the wheel is pulling to the left, but not when I'm sailing? Prop problems maybe???
Catalina 38 issues
- Thread starter jessicaward80
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What you are experiencing is called prop walk. If you do a search you will find lots of discussions about it. It is normal and is something you just have to learn to expect and use to help you in the right conditions.
Good luck
Good luck
Yes, most skippers neglect one important thing: giving the throttle enough goose to get water moving over the rudder.
You most likely have an M25 engine. Here is lots of information about it:
http://www.c34.org/wiki/index.php?title=Diesel_Engine
Feel free to wander around our website.
You most likely have an M25 engine. Here is lots of information about it:
http://www.c34.org/wiki/index.php?title=Diesel_Engine
Feel free to wander around our website.
When you get a chance, go out into some open, flat water and try maneuvering astern. You'll get a good idea of how much throttle you need before you have control of the boat.
When I'm backing from my slip, I have learned to not force te boat to go where I want it to but to let wind, current and prop walk do it's thing an adjust my maneuver to that. Fighting the boat without enough water over the rudder is futile.
When going astern you can also turn yourself around and face aft, that way you'll get a better idea of how much control you do or don't have. Just check the bow every now and then to make sure all is clear. And NEVER let go of the wheel when moving astern.
Search this site. There's tons of info and you'll probably learn more about sailing and your boat than in any class. There are many people here who give sound advice and direction.... You'll eventually see who they are!
When I'm backing from my slip, I have learned to not force te boat to go where I want it to but to let wind, current and prop walk do it's thing an adjust my maneuver to that. Fighting the boat without enough water over the rudder is futile.
When going astern you can also turn yourself around and face aft, that way you'll get a better idea of how much control you do or don't have. Just check the bow every now and then to make sure all is clear. And NEVER let go of the wheel when moving astern.
Search this site. There's tons of info and you'll probably learn more about sailing and your boat than in any class. There are many people here who give sound advice and direction.... You'll eventually see who they are!
Don Guillette has some good advice on here, and he has a fairly large Catalina. Apparently inboards inherently have propwalk, it's just something you learn over time.
You probably already know that your Catalina 38 is a little bit more unique as it was not an original Catalina designed hull, but was bought by Catlina from another manufacture (the name escapes me - Canadian?). Catalina pretty much designed the rigging & interior of the cabin as a stretched out C 30. Even the portholes look similar. As far as prop walk, yes Catalinas all do it. My C 30 is the devil to get her to turn her stern to straboard in reverse. I agree with others that you have to run the engine rev's enough to get water to flow over the rudder or you will have almost no steerage. My boat needs about a hull length to get her to respond in reverse. Unfortunately my marina only has about 30 feet between the slips so its always interesting backing out of my slip. I learn a lil more every time we take her out. Experience is the best remedy.
I think the 38s were originally Morgans, but don't let an argument ensue on this. There is a Morgan 38 for sale near me that is really nice inside. The bunk above the port settee is odd but kinda cool. I don't know enough about Perkins diesels to really understand what the cost of upkeeping one will entail.
If the Catalina 38 does have a Perkins diesel I would be hesitant to buy her. While they are known to be tuff, the parts for Perkins are scarce. I heard that a rebuild kit is very difficult/ almost impossible to find. But with so many Perkins out there, there's got to be somebody out there who is making replacement parts?
;-)
Yes it is not easy to backup. Propwalk is not easy to master.
We got our boat this summer, and a few time we got pretty worry.
Backing out of slip.
Yes it is not easy to backup. Propwalk is not easy to master.
We got our boat this summer, and a few time we got pretty worry.
Backing out of slip.
your invisible bow thrusters
neutral. This allows me to steer were I want in reverse. Need more speed just juice it some more and back to neutral. Just as I need to stop I quickly turn helm in the direction I want to go and at the same time a quick juice it in forward. Allowing the combination of prop walk and rudder to work together allowing the boat to seem turn while sitting place. Get this down pat and will you get a reputation. Soon people will start gathering around to taking bets on your invisible bow thrusters.:wow:
I learned a long time ago about prop walk. when first backing out of slip. I give the throttle a good quick juicing in reverse. Which gets me moving in reverse very quickly then quickly throttle back to
neutral. This allows me to steer were I want in reverse. Need more speed just juice it some more and back to neutral. Just as I need to stop I quickly turn helm in the direction I want to go and at the same time a quick juice it in forward. Allowing the combination of prop walk and rudder to work together allowing the boat to seem turn while sitting place. Get this down pat and will you get a reputation. Soon people will start gathering around to taking bets on your invisible bow thrusters.:wow:
Hi,
yes, as I've been told, practice, practice and practice is what make you better
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