I bought this boat last spring and have had little luck using the reverse, it will only do 1 knot with the throttle in full speed? but this weekend for some reason, I pushed it back and WOW, I had a lot of throttle and it really moved back. what did I do? the throttle is springy? in reverse, am I doing something wrong? help me if you can it would be greatly appreciated by me and my neighbors when I back out of the slip, it takes so long that I usually bump there boats, (I catch there boat with my hands) not very practical. thanks
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Andy
Not 4 the meek
Reverse is like driving a dragster- all or none. You either go back with speed, or sit there in propwash with the stern walking sideways (typically to starboard). The rudder either does nothing or turns sharply. I don't know why you suddenly have "power" in reverse, maybe you finally slung some barnacle growth off your prop or your lever is finally going as far as it should.
Reverse is like driving a dragster- all or none. You either go back with speed, or sit there in propwash with the stern walking sideways (typically to starboard). The rudder either does nothing or turns sharply. I don't know why you suddenly have "power" in reverse, maybe you finally slung some barnacle growth off your prop or your lever is finally going as far as it should.
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Claude L.-Auger
Practice makes good
Andy is right. You got to get used to getting some power to that prop. I suggest you get out into the lake and practice motoring in reverse until you make the boat go where you want. Try making the boat go straight, then turning to port and to starboard. Get a feel for the action on the rudder and watch that bow go either way. And when you feel real comfortable, come back in and back into your slip to your neighbors amazement (and scare: they'll probably step on the dock to help you!) Good luck
Andy is right. You got to get used to getting some power to that prop. I suggest you get out into the lake and practice motoring in reverse until you make the boat go where you want. Try making the boat go straight, then turning to port and to starboard. Get a feel for the action on the rudder and watch that bow go either way. And when you feel real comfortable, come back in and back into your slip to your neighbors amazement (and scare: they'll probably step on the dock to help you!) Good luck
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David Michaels
I had a similar backing experience
This is our first Diesel aux. Sunday I backed it out of the slip without enough power and it did pull to port, swinging the bow into the dock. No damage, but a bit embarassed as it's been a lot of years since I've nailed the dock backing out. The previous owner told me that I had to be moving at least a knot in reverse to have any real control pulling out, but all those Danforths sitting on big powerboat anchor rollers intimitated me and I ended up making a bit of a fool of myself. The notion of backing practice seems good. I was just happy to get clear of the marina for a maiden sail, didn't stay out too long, and worried about getting it back in the slip. It was a lot easier going back in than taking it out. I'm going to put in some backing practice time next sail. And I'm hoping for an outside slip at the sailing club 8^).
This is our first Diesel aux. Sunday I backed it out of the slip without enough power and it did pull to port, swinging the bow into the dock. No damage, but a bit embarassed as it's been a lot of years since I've nailed the dock backing out. The previous owner told me that I had to be moving at least a knot in reverse to have any real control pulling out, but all those Danforths sitting on big powerboat anchor rollers intimitated me and I ended up making a bit of a fool of myself. The notion of backing practice seems good. I was just happy to get clear of the marina for a maiden sail, didn't stay out too long, and worried about getting it back in the slip. It was a lot easier going back in than taking it out. I'm going to put in some backing practice time next sail. And I'm hoping for an outside slip at the sailing club 8^).
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ciriaco
I need help in reverse
I had the same problem. My solution after consulting a friend, was to coast up to the slip so that it is on your port side. As your stern approaches the port piling, slip it into reverse and the torque of the engine will turn your boat and back it into the slip. I usually have someone bring the dock line attached to the port piling back to the the rear docking cleat and this helps to turn the stern and move it back into the slip. Shut the engine off and pull yourself in. Works for me. This will eliminate the problem of having to back out next time. Happy sailing.
I had the same problem. My solution after consulting a friend, was to coast up to the slip so that it is on your port side. As your stern approaches the port piling, slip it into reverse and the torque of the engine will turn your boat and back it into the slip. I usually have someone bring the dock line attached to the port piling back to the the rear docking cleat and this helps to turn the stern and move it back into the slip. Shut the engine off and pull yourself in. Works for me. This will eliminate the problem of having to back out next time. Happy sailing.
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Gene
Backing into slips
Around here, everybody parks in reverse (but then, they're almost all motorboats with twin props). I tried the technique of coming along side and then reversing to back in, but the current and wind would often wreak havoc while the boat labored to get up enough speed to have control. Now, I stop outside the marina, spin around, and back all the way in. That way, I have reverse speed and control all the way into the slip. A burst forward stops it on a dime, and pushes the stern to port. Make life easy for yourself, and try it!
Around here, everybody parks in reverse (but then, they're almost all motorboats with twin props). I tried the technique of coming along side and then reversing to back in, but the current and wind would often wreak havoc while the boat labored to get up enough speed to have control. Now, I stop outside the marina, spin around, and back all the way in. That way, I have reverse speed and control all the way into the slip. A burst forward stops it on a dime, and pushes the stern to port. Make life easy for yourself, and try it!
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Curt Weaver - Hope Floats
Don't stall it
Doug, I have a 410 and almost always back it in. A couple of things to remember and you'll be in good shape. First, if you have no weigh on, and put the engine in reverse, you need to have the rudder centered. If you are starting out with the rudder hard over, you simply stall it out and you get no control. Get going with the rudder centered, and then you can maneuver. Second, when you do have weigh on, you have to deal with prop walk - which on your boat will move the stern to the left. Third, if you are trying to back up with the stern moving to the right, you have a much more difficult time. I would practice a couple of things. Tie a couple of empty plastic jugs together, throw them in the water for a visual reference, and then practice maneuvering around them. Also practice pivot turns. by keeping the wheel hard over to the right, and alternating between forward and reverse, the boat will basically pivot on its own axis. Good luck!
Doug, I have a 410 and almost always back it in. A couple of things to remember and you'll be in good shape. First, if you have no weigh on, and put the engine in reverse, you need to have the rudder centered. If you are starting out with the rudder hard over, you simply stall it out and you get no control. Get going with the rudder centered, and then you can maneuver. Second, when you do have weigh on, you have to deal with prop walk - which on your boat will move the stern to the left. Third, if you are trying to back up with the stern moving to the right, you have a much more difficult time. I would practice a couple of things. Tie a couple of empty plastic jugs together, throw them in the water for a visual reference, and then practice maneuvering around them. Also practice pivot turns. by keeping the wheel hard over to the right, and alternating between forward and reverse, the boat will basically pivot on its own axis. Good luck!
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