New Hunter 27 owner

[rickardcl]

I just bought a 1980 hunter 27. For the most part the boat is in great shape, inside and out. My only immediate issue is that in reverse it doesn't want to turn starboard, I've got it to where I can see the rudder and am fairly confident, that the rudder is doing what it should...to some degree. I don't have a trailer and since its Jan. getting in the water to see is really not an option. I'm thinking about trying to hoist it out of the water, but I have no idea where to begin. So basically I'm looking for any advice on this steering issue, or hoisting it, or if anyone knows where I might find a trailer.

Thanks all,
chris

 

[digby sailor]

prop walk

cant say for sure but what you are describing to me is prop walk.Its very very common but should not be as bad once you get momentum.Congrats on the boat they are a nice boat to be sure.just search the site for prop walk issues on 27s you will know if thats your problem when you read a few.happy new year.

 

[gednesc]

i just moved to a 83 27' dec 09, i moved it around for in water storage 12-27 and played with the docking manuvers for kicks. i have done some browsing on this site to get some handling tips. digby is right on the prop walk. i noticed it likes to move to the port as noted. previous posts sugested you give it gas in reverse and then move to neutral once you start to move thus removing the prop walk and using the rudder. i tried it on my madiden (and only) voyage and it seems to work. i have read that if you leave the wheel hard to stbd you can use the fwd/reverse to spin the boat fairely easily using the popp walk and the fwd rudder. i will let you know. congrats on the boat. i will be looking fwd to see how things go since im in the same "boat". i cant wait for the spring to see waht she does. scott

 

[Alan]

Both these answers nailed it. First thing you need to understand is that a rudder is TOTALLY ineffective until water starts to move past it. When starting to back up the rudder has no flow passing it and prop walk is the dominant force pushing the stern to port. Only after your boat begins to gain weigh will the rudder start to work.

 

[Manny]

Chris, all the posts are correct, its prop walk. It takes some getting used to but it can be used to your advantage.

Manny

 

[rickardcl]

Thanks for everybodies input. That makes alot of sense, and would never have occured to me. I never would've thought about a difference like that, from an outboard to an inboard. Luckily I'm in Tx. so I should have good weather soon to test it out.

 

[Jim Divan]

I bought a 1979 27ft shoal draft Hunter last summer and I use a spring line (like a fire warp) to get some way on before I even bother to put the engine in reverse when I back out of my slip. Don't use too much rudder angle or it will act like a brake.

 

[Nelsonhow]

Prop walk

Good luck with your H-27 ...Loved mine,,, but Prop Walk it is.... Mine was like a drunken sailor in reverse....by the time you get up enough speed to let the rudder do it's job I usually had already hit the dock.....Most sailboats are the same. Plan for it and sometimes it can work for you.....

 

[David in Sandusky]

A great cruising boat

We have had Lady Lillie for 10 years now. The h27 is simply a great cruising boat. You will love it!

You have all the right answers on prop walk. We use a combination of pulsing the engine, and a pull on a line to the dock to back out of our starboard side finger pier. Once we are clear of the boat to port, the prop walk helps us to turn to port in reverse which gets us headed out the channel.

Our boat will turn on a dime, so I don't have a problem doing a 270 to port to mak a right turn. The key is to think things through given wind conditions, and discussing your plan with your crew. (Or Admiral in my case.)