I'm still in the learning process when it comes to backing our new boat into our slip - a catalina 30. All of my previous experience has been with smaller boats with outboards, so backing was pretty much point and shoot. Seems to be a lot different with the Cat 30. Last weekend we were trying to back into our slip with a good deal of cross wind. (The wind was coming from the south, our slip opens to the East (which is how we want to end up - pointy-end east). Took me about four shots of buzzing (and bumping) the runway before we got the boat in right. So my question is this. In this situation should I start by backing with the wind, or into the wind. Afterwards I was given advice that said: (A) Head up into the wind, then come hard in reverse until you have steerageway, keeping the bow into the wind. Then back - *with* the wind- to the slip, and let the wind blow your bow around. (B) I was also given advice (several weeks before) that said "If you can, always back *into* the wind first. That way the wind keeps your bow down until you get steerage way. When you can bring the bow *into* the wind." Well, what is it? A or B, or does it "depend"...... I don't think that starting to back *across* the wind is the way to go. But if it is, let me know. TIA, Harry
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Roger Fleming
Spring Line
It is difficult to give you advice without knowing your specific setting. Ofter overlooked however is the use of a spring line. Backing down hard against a spring line led forward will draw the stern in. Try using the spring line along with anticipating the effects of the wind
It is difficult to give you advice without knowing your specific setting. Ofter overlooked however is the use of a spring line. Backing down hard against a spring line led forward will draw the stern in. Try using the spring line along with anticipating the effects of the wind
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Gene Foraker
I choose (B)
The wind will always be different, but picture the bottom profile of your boat. There is a rudder to keep the stern in place, the keel to keep the middle, but nothing up front to keep the bow from falling off the wind. Backing upwind until you get steerage way is easier. Sometimes in a storm, it will be hard to keep the bow from falling down wind at all speeds.
The wind will always be different, but picture the bottom profile of your boat. There is a rudder to keep the stern in place, the keel to keep the middle, but nothing up front to keep the bow from falling off the wind. Backing upwind until you get steerage way is easier. Sometimes in a storm, it will be hard to keep the bow from falling down wind at all speeds.
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Dick Keenan
Don't Scare Me Like This
Harry, I admire your grit. Several years ago I had a C-30 with a two-blade prop. The idea of backing into a slip in a crosswind appears more like a carrier landing than a docking exercise. But, sounds like you're gonna do it, so along with Gene, I vote for "B" As for "depends," I think I'd be wearing one. I like the idea of maintaining better control by working against the wind instead of with it. Remember it's always easier to steady a course driving into the wind than on a run... same thing. And I kind of remember the C-30 having a little mind of her own when backing up. You could go just fine for 20 yards and without touching anything, all of a sudden she'd just start a turn -- probably attributable to the notion that Gene brought up that there's nothing underwater to resist the wind against the bow, so the slightest puff can upset the balance. Probably an outrageous idea for a 30-foot boat, but if you really have to do this frequently and forever, a small electric bow thruster would give you ultimate control.
Harry, I admire your grit. Several years ago I had a C-30 with a two-blade prop. The idea of backing into a slip in a crosswind appears more like a carrier landing than a docking exercise. But, sounds like you're gonna do it, so along with Gene, I vote for "B" As for "depends," I think I'd be wearing one. I like the idea of maintaining better control by working against the wind instead of with it. Remember it's always easier to steady a course driving into the wind than on a run... same thing. And I kind of remember the C-30 having a little mind of her own when backing up. You could go just fine for 20 yards and without touching anything, all of a sudden she'd just start a turn -- probably attributable to the notion that Gene brought up that there's nothing underwater to resist the wind against the bow, so the slightest puff can upset the balance. Probably an outrageous idea for a 30-foot boat, but if you really have to do this frequently and forever, a small electric bow thruster would give you ultimate control.
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Michael Woodside
backing a C30
I also have a C30, I have found that now that I have a few tricks up my sleeve I do better WITH a cross wind! I head into the slip until the last minute and turn hard into the wind. Then I shift into reverse and allow the wind to finish lining me up with the slip. The only the thing I had to learn was where to line up with the slip with various velocities of wind. I have heard it said that the C30 is like backing up a drunken rhino! The other trick I read about that has really helped me is the use of shifting back into forward when the bow starts to swing too much...A little goose on the throttle kicks the bow around assumining you have the rudder turned the right way. Then just go back into reverse and continue backing into the slip.
I also have a C30, I have found that now that I have a few tricks up my sleeve I do better WITH a cross wind! I head into the slip until the last minute and turn hard into the wind. Then I shift into reverse and allow the wind to finish lining me up with the slip. The only the thing I had to learn was where to line up with the slip with various velocities of wind. I have heard it said that the C30 is like backing up a drunken rhino! The other trick I read about that has really helped me is the use of shifting back into forward when the bow starts to swing too much...A little goose on the throttle kicks the bow around assumining you have the rudder turned the right way. Then just go back into reverse and continue backing into the slip.
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Randy
Backing in with a crosswind
In light or moderate winds, I used this technique on my 27: Heading slowly downwind, shift to neutral, then stop across the mouth of your slip. Allow the boat to go far enough downwind so that you can position a crew member (standing) on the cockpit seat, and have him grab hold of the piling. Carefully shift to reverse, while your crew holds the piling. By backing slowly, the boat will pivot around the piling and into the slip. When you are nearly parallel with the slip, your crew member lets go, allowing you to make sternway into the slip. This is NOT something for an inexperienced crew member, or heavy winds, but it will work when conditions are right.
In light or moderate winds, I used this technique on my 27: Heading slowly downwind, shift to neutral, then stop across the mouth of your slip. Allow the boat to go far enough downwind so that you can position a crew member (standing) on the cockpit seat, and have him grab hold of the piling. Carefully shift to reverse, while your crew holds the piling. By backing slowly, the boat will pivot around the piling and into the slip. When you are nearly parallel with the slip, your crew member lets go, allowing you to make sternway into the slip. This is NOT something for an inexperienced crew member, or heavy winds, but it will work when conditions are right.
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Stan Rogacevicz
Don't forget Prop Walk
Harry, I agree with the previous postings that the wind has the most affect on the bow. But, don't forget that your prop is walking the stern of your boat to port during the turn no matter which way the wind is blowing. If you are backing to the right and expect the wind comming from the right to just swing your bow around you may be suprised to find you are really just sliding sideways because your prop is slowly walking your stern to the left. In any manuver where the prop walk is working against me - like every time I back out of my slip to the right - I gun it to gain sternway then hit neutral to coast through the turn so my prop walk is stopped. Every time you hit the throttle picture what it is going to do to your stern and it will help you deal with other outside influences. For example if you have to pull a U-turn in a limited space going forward always turn to the left and you can spin on a dime because of your right prop walk going forward. Stan "Christy Leigh" c320 #656
Harry, I agree with the previous postings that the wind has the most affect on the bow. But, don't forget that your prop is walking the stern of your boat to port during the turn no matter which way the wind is blowing. If you are backing to the right and expect the wind comming from the right to just swing your bow around you may be suprised to find you are really just sliding sideways because your prop is slowly walking your stern to the left. In any manuver where the prop walk is working against me - like every time I back out of my slip to the right - I gun it to gain sternway then hit neutral to coast through the turn so my prop walk is stopped. Every time you hit the throttle picture what it is going to do to your stern and it will help you deal with other outside influences. For example if you have to pull a U-turn in a limited space going forward always turn to the left and you can spin on a dime because of your right prop walk going forward. Stan "Christy Leigh" c320 #656
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