Hello all, Care to share your in-and-out of the slip stories and/or advice? We had another fun time again yesterday afternoon backing out of the slip with our C30 TRBS "Cg2". Seems like every time we take her out or put her back in the slip it is a different adventure. Either I have too much way on, or too little. Turn too soon or too late. Yesterday we did a slow little 360 before finally getting pointed the right way. Haven't hit anything or done any damage to anything except my ego. Our slip has a tall concrete post on the port side which is the side the bow swings towards when backing out. To keep from kissing the post with the bowsprit/pulpit we have to back out even farther before swinging bow to port. This means while backing up and before getting forward way on we end up VERY close to the boats (and the concrete posts on that side). Coming in is easier, though. Having a crew or two there to shove the bow to port and fend off when needed certainly helps. Anyone out there have something to offer? Any special tricks besides the obvious need to practice? Chris
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Tom
more thrust
You will need more water moving over the deflected rudder, before the rudder can create a sufficient moment to turn the boat. So I would advice alot more throttle when getting out of the slip in reverse, to get the water really flowing over the rudder. After you quickly turn the wheel in the opposite direction (with the boat still moving aft), you'll have to gun the throttle again to pivot the boat around. I know that there's a tendency to not want to "gun" the throttle when maneuvering in close quarters. I know the feeling, but sometimes you have to. Go to an open section of water away from the marina, and practice pivoting the boat around with a deflected rudder and alot of prop thrust.
You will need more water moving over the deflected rudder, before the rudder can create a sufficient moment to turn the boat. So I would advice alot more throttle when getting out of the slip in reverse, to get the water really flowing over the rudder. After you quickly turn the wheel in the opposite direction (with the boat still moving aft), you'll have to gun the throttle again to pivot the boat around. I know that there's a tendency to not want to "gun" the throttle when maneuvering in close quarters. I know the feeling, but sometimes you have to. Go to an open section of water away from the marina, and practice pivoting the boat around with a deflected rudder and alot of prop thrust.
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David
I agree, plus
I agree with pretty much everything that was said earlier. Here's a couple of things I've noticed on my 86 tall rig. WHen I first start to reverse, if I use to much throttle, the prop seems to take longer to "bite". (cavitation on a 3blade?). Also, once you gain momentum, you can shift into neutral and use the boat's inertia while you steer--this allows for greater control (just be sure you have enough momentum). With a little practice, I found the 30 to be pretty forgiving. Good luck!
I agree with pretty much everything that was said earlier. Here's a couple of things I've noticed on my 86 tall rig. WHen I first start to reverse, if I use to much throttle, the prop seems to take longer to "bite". (cavitation on a 3blade?). Also, once you gain momentum, you can shift into neutral and use the boat's inertia while you steer--this allows for greater control (just be sure you have enough momentum). With a little practice, I found the 30 to be pretty forgiving. Good luck!
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Sean
docking lines
I have a similar issue with my C27 and have been working on using spring lines to control the bow swing as I pull out of my slip. I use a long dock line cleated to the bow with the line running through the dock cleat and then back to the boat. Release the line as you are backing out keeping the bow as close to the starboard side as you want, when free of the dock release the line and pull it in from the cleat end. You can also use this same method on the stern of your boat to control prop walk and keep the sterm straight. Hope this helps, Sean Roll The Dice
I have a similar issue with my C27 and have been working on using spring lines to control the bow swing as I pull out of my slip. I use a long dock line cleated to the bow with the line running through the dock cleat and then back to the boat. Release the line as you are backing out keeping the bow as close to the starboard side as you want, when free of the dock release the line and pull it in from the cleat end. You can also use this same method on the stern of your boat to control prop walk and keep the sterm straight. Hope this helps, Sean Roll The Dice
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Carl
Walk the boat in and out
I keep my 310 in a very narrow slip and have taken to walking the boat in and out of the slip. I tie a dock line onto the pillar aft of the stern, starboard side. To my port there's a finger pier. After we cast off all the lines, my wife "pulls" us out of the slip with the line tied to the pillar. I keep the engine in neutral and once the bow clears the pillar I give throttle and we pull away. She drops the line in the water and coming in, picks it up with the boat hook and pulls us in. It works like a charm in all kinds of wind and I'm not embrassed at all by the procedure.
I keep my 310 in a very narrow slip and have taken to walking the boat in and out of the slip. I tie a dock line onto the pillar aft of the stern, starboard side. To my port there's a finger pier. After we cast off all the lines, my wife "pulls" us out of the slip with the line tied to the pillar. I keep the engine in neutral and once the bow clears the pillar I give throttle and we pull away. She drops the line in the water and coming in, picks it up with the boat hook and pulls us in. It works like a charm in all kinds of wind and I'm not embrassed at all by the procedure.
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Larry Watkins
Backing out
Chris; Tom hit the nail pretty good. You have to get the boat moving before you have any control and giving it a good shot of throttle to get it moving then shifting to neutral is the best way. Most people, when powering, go too slow, resulting in poor control. The wind/current takes control, not you. Find a place to practice and don't be afraid to use the throttle. Good luck. Larry W.
Chris; Tom hit the nail pretty good. You have to get the boat moving before you have any control and giving it a good shot of throttle to get it moving then shifting to neutral is the best way. Most people, when powering, go too slow, resulting in poor control. The wind/current takes control, not you. Find a place to practice and don't be afraid to use the throttle. Good luck. Larry W.
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Chris Gonzales
AMEN
Yes, I agree with all your posts. Thanks a lot for the input. This is the biggest boat ( and widest) I have owned and I guess I am just a little intimidated. I know I need to use more throttle, more often. I'll practice more and let you know how it goes. By the way, recently I was watching a guy across the way from me backing his C25 (outboard motor) out of the slip. Talk about organized chaos! That boat was banging off HIS slip as he backed out like a demon. He musta had it in FULL reverse throttle and I was positive he was going to smash into my boat or someone elses. But sure enough he swung her around till she was her pointed the right way then shoved that little outboard in forward and just plain boogied on outta there! His wake even rocked my boat! Reminded me of something like an aircraft carrier landing; it looks like hell but works, eh? Chris
Yes, I agree with all your posts. Thanks a lot for the input. This is the biggest boat ( and widest) I have owned and I guess I am just a little intimidated. I know I need to use more throttle, more often. I'll practice more and let you know how it goes. By the way, recently I was watching a guy across the way from me backing his C25 (outboard motor) out of the slip. Talk about organized chaos! That boat was banging off HIS slip as he backed out like a demon. He musta had it in FULL reverse throttle and I was positive he was going to smash into my boat or someone elses. But sure enough he swung her around till she was her pointed the right way then shoved that little outboard in forward and just plain boogied on outta there! His wake even rocked my boat! Reminded me of something like an aircraft carrier landing; it looks like hell but works, eh? Chris
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gary jensen
docking
When I first had my 27 O Day it was difficult to dock and undock.When I moved up to my 36 I experienced the same problem over again. After getting it under control I moved up again to a Catalina 380 and again it was difficult to dock. What really seemed to work for me was to dock a larger boat, like the 47. when I went back to the 380 it seemed easier and, in fact, was easier. When backing from my present berth, I need to go to starboard. The boat has a right handed prop and walks to port....To get past this problem, I turn the wheel toward starboard, engage the transmission and give it a short throttle burst and back down. the boat will swing slightly to port then straighten and then go to starboard. My fairway is only 40 feet wide and I have no room to spare---even under the best conditions. If the fairway were any shorter, I would have to use dock lines or even get a bow thruster..Lastly, another way is to get a good crew and practice it several times and it will be easier...good luck!!!
When I first had my 27 O Day it was difficult to dock and undock.When I moved up to my 36 I experienced the same problem over again. After getting it under control I moved up again to a Catalina 380 and again it was difficult to dock. What really seemed to work for me was to dock a larger boat, like the 47. when I went back to the 380 it seemed easier and, in fact, was easier. When backing from my present berth, I need to go to starboard. The boat has a right handed prop and walks to port....To get past this problem, I turn the wheel toward starboard, engage the transmission and give it a short throttle burst and back down. the boat will swing slightly to port then straighten and then go to starboard. My fairway is only 40 feet wide and I have no room to spare---even under the best conditions. If the fairway were any shorter, I would have to use dock lines or even get a bow thruster..Lastly, another way is to get a good crew and practice it several times and it will be easier...good luck!!!
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Mark
back blues
Getting the boat moving so you have steerage is the thing that helped us most. At first we were afraid to commit and didn't get enough momentum going -- couldn't steer well. We practiced by dropping a man overboard pole in open water on a calm day and just kept backing up to and around it. I've backed all around the marina to get better at it. Also, don't be afraid to "wag the dog" by walking around in front of the wheel and backing your way out to a clear spot if your bow falls off too much. A C30 steers very well in reverse once it gets moving at a couple knots.
Getting the boat moving so you have steerage is the thing that helped us most. At first we were afraid to commit and didn't get enough momentum going -- couldn't steer well. We practiced by dropping a man overboard pole in open water on a calm day and just kept backing up to and around it. I've backed all around the marina to get better at it. Also, don't be afraid to "wag the dog" by walking around in front of the wheel and backing your way out to a clear spot if your bow falls off too much. A C30 steers very well in reverse once it gets moving at a couple knots.
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