Just a note of interest for those of you struggling with the reverse prop walk. I finally think I have a cure. Pretty simple in fact. Just before leaving I throw over a 2.5 gallon bucket and let it fill with water. Then I tie it to the starboard stern cleat sot the bucket is just below the surface of the water. Now when I reverse instead of uncontrollable prop walk to port the boat backs out realitivly straight and then of course when I have some momentum I can steer any way I want! PS Don't forget to pull the bucket out of the water as soon as you put the vessel in forward. FYI
- Status
I like prop walk
I'd hate to be without it. Learn to use it, and it's your best friend in tight quarters.
I'd hate to be without it. Learn to use it, and it's your best friend in tight quarters.
Agree w Paul - Don't fight it - Use It!
Prop walk is helpful. I'll never forget a few years ago I was going to the dock at Shearwater up the Inside Passage because a front (read storm) was coming in. The Dock was chock-a-block with commercial fishing boats and they tend not to care much for yachties. Kinda like logging trucks in the woods, and they were rafted out two and three deep. Not wanting to really raft on if I could help it I spoted an empty spot at the dock that appeared to be just a tad longer than my boat. The fishermen were sitting and standing in groups just watching us come in with interest. With a strong wind and current both setting away from the dock I came up to the dock at right angles at a fairly good speed and gave it a hard over and poped it into reverse. Using prop walk the boat turned on a dime and the stern swung out and the boat came to a stop right against the bull rail without hitting the boat in front and with only a few feet to spare. Slapped a couple lines on and we were docked, the wind and current setting us away from the dock. When I walked up to the office to check in the guys right behind us who never lifted a finger to help, and knew full well what we were up against, congratedulated us on such a good docking job. They honestly didn't think a yachtie could do it. Frankly, without the prop-walk you're trying to get rid of I could never have done it. I agree with Paul, don't waste money, time, and effort trying to get rid of it, instead, learn to use it to your advantage.
Prop walk is helpful. I'll never forget a few years ago I was going to the dock at Shearwater up the Inside Passage because a front (read storm) was coming in. The Dock was chock-a-block with commercial fishing boats and they tend not to care much for yachties. Kinda like logging trucks in the woods, and they were rafted out two and three deep. Not wanting to really raft on if I could help it I spoted an empty spot at the dock that appeared to be just a tad longer than my boat. The fishermen were sitting and standing in groups just watching us come in with interest. With a strong wind and current both setting away from the dock I came up to the dock at right angles at a fairly good speed and gave it a hard over and poped it into reverse. Using prop walk the boat turned on a dime and the stern swung out and the boat came to a stop right against the bull rail without hitting the boat in front and with only a few feet to spare. Slapped a couple lines on and we were docked, the wind and current setting us away from the dock. When I walked up to the office to check in the guys right behind us who never lifted a finger to help, and knew full well what we were up against, congratedulated us on such a good docking job. They honestly didn't think a yachtie could do it. Frankly, without the prop-walk you're trying to get rid of I could never have done it. I agree with Paul, don't waste money, time, and effort trying to get rid of it, instead, learn to use it to your advantage.
I have a suggestion
You may want to get in touch with Bob Kilian. I don't have his telephone number right here but if you search this forum or the big boat forum on his name I am sure he will pop up. (Steve Dion has listed him several times.) Anyway, he modifies the tips of the prop with something he calls a "non-slip" tip. I had him do it on an H34 prop and I got nearly straight backing up and also picked up some forward boat speed as well. Besides that the prop is a topic of conversation when it is out of the water. People think you hit something so it starts a conversation.
You may want to get in touch with Bob Kilian. I don't have his telephone number right here but if you search this forum or the big boat forum on his name I am sure he will pop up. (Steve Dion has listed him several times.) Anyway, he modifies the tips of the prop with something he calls a "non-slip" tip. I had him do it on an H34 prop and I got nearly straight backing up and also picked up some forward boat speed as well. Besides that the prop is a topic of conversation when it is out of the water. People think you hit something so it starts a conversation.
- Status