1984 Hunter 27 and I have horrible prop walk to port in reverse. I have a double slip which I am on the left side. My slip I face east when in the slip. I need to back out to starboard and exit marina to north. So now I put it in reverse and it prop walks aft end to port (I have tried more rpm's and then neutral but doesn't work). So I have been backing to port and then turning a 180 in between the rows so I can leave the marina. Is this something I can correct or should I get a different slip facing the south????
Prop walk to port
- Thread starter Bigjer40
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1) Can you attach a temporary spring line to the adjacent boat? If so, you should be able to hold the stern fairly straight while going in reverse and playing out the line to a point you are able to turn the bow north.
2) On my previous boat, a Catalina 27, When there was no cross wind, with the rudder amidships, and the transmission in reverse, I could rev the engine (just a little goose) just enough to get the boat moving, then quickly take the rpm to idle and the transmission to neutral; I repeated this another time or two, until I had enough water flowing over the ruder to have some control. Unfortunately, I know this does not work on all boats. My current boat, a Morgan 32, is the most miserable boat I have ever tried to handle in reverse.
2) On my previous boat, a Catalina 27, When there was no cross wind, with the rudder amidships, and the transmission in reverse, I could rev the engine (just a little goose) just enough to get the boat moving, then quickly take the rpm to idle and the transmission to neutral; I repeated this another time or two, until I had enough water flowing over the ruder to have some control. Unfortunately, I know this does not work on all boats. My current boat, a Morgan 32, is the most miserable boat I have ever tried to handle in reverse.
The prop walk to port in reverse is normal and should be taken into account when docking and undocking. It is more noticeable on some boats then others and is most extreme when the boat is just beginning to move, since it takes a knot of so of boat speed before the rudder becomes effective enough to counteract the prop walk. Being aware of the tendency for the vessel to “kick” to one side or the other can be very useful in certain maneuvering situations. The two suggestions offered by Duke are good ones to have in your arsenal of boat handling "tricks". You might also try docking stern first or change to a slip where the prop “walks” in the correct direction for undocking
1. its prefectly alright to reverse your way out. There's rule saying you have to drive bow first. 2. you could use prop-walk to turn your boat around within its length if there's enough space between your berth the ones across the water.
A few things to try. Start out slow. I keep my throttle at idle until the bow clears the dock. That way and walk is minimized and confined by the dock fingers. Once the boat has water flow over the rudder, steerage is achieved. I use short bumps of power to keep my speed up. Again keeps water flowing over the prop while reducing walk. Lastly, if you have a wheel - stand in front of it and face backwards. It's so much easier this way and there is no need to crane your neck and more importantly now the way you want to go I'd the way you turn the wheel 
I take my time when entering or leaving my dock. I back out about 300 yard with several 90 degree turns by going slow and just bumping the throttle now and again.
I take my time when entering or leaving my dock. I back out about 300 yard with several 90 degree turns by going slow and just bumping the throttle now and again.
How about sterning in? Sounds like you are setup to have the prop walk help you.
Edit: steering changed to sterning. Dam autocorrect
Edit: steering changed to sterning. Dam autocorrect
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Use to have an h27' and used to back out to starboard by holding the boat centered with a springline while getting momentum to gain and maintain steerage and then shifting the tranny to neutral. When in neutral there is no prop walk and if you have adequate steerage the boat will turn. Alternate between neutral and reverse to maintain a delicate balance of steerage and speed. The h27 has to be one of the boats with the worst prop walk and reversing manners in use today and those that have not sailed one have no idea. Having said that, my best advice would be to change slips to a more favorable orientation for exiting. With that boat I became quite proficient at turning that boat on its axis in narrow fairways and on ocassions had to back it all the way out which is not recommended as it puts a lot of strain on the rudder.
Thanks for all the replies and it does appear that the reputation for prop walk on this boat is as bad as they come. I know springline on neighbors boat may help but I am not the type to ask. Murphy and I don't get along and when I rip the cleat off his boat or something bizarre happens, I don't wanna be responsible. I think a slip change is called for. Maybe I will try a king in a few times first. As much prop walk as she has, it should be easy.
This boat only backs in a circle to port. Doesn't matter the speed, current, or wind. Slip change for me. Oh by the way, I broadsided my neighbors outboard today :cussing: Right after I said "I think I am getting the hang of this"! I realized I jinxed myself and me and the first mate both knocked on wood. She said "I think you tapped the wood and didn't knock". She was right!
When backing out of slip. You need to get some headway on quickly. Put in reverse give it some gas to get the speed up as soon as possible. Quickly idol back and go to neutral. Steer the boat in the desired direction. Need more speed give it in quick short burst and back to neutral.
Remember prop will walk boat in one direction in reverse and the opposite in forward. I often spin my 356 in its own length using prop walk and playing the wind in the narrow fairway in front of my slip. I like to pull up to my slip sometimes stop spin boat and back right in and sometimes I back up to my slip and then spin it around and go in straight. People think I have bow thrusters. I single hand a lot so I have learned from lots of practice not to rely on crew. In fact if anything does wrong its usually somebody on the deck or the dock that messes up the plan. Don't touch any thing until I say so! And when I do say so, do exactly as told.
I always thank them for helping and waiting for my exact instruction. I do the same when lending hand for the neighbors. I patently stand by and await orders. Only stepping in when necessary. I also never laugh or criticize for someones misfortune or mistake.
Well except for the speed boaters at the gas dock on the other side of the channel across from our marina. Can be quite entertaining.
Remember prop will walk boat in one direction in reverse and the opposite in forward. I often spin my 356 in its own length using prop walk and playing the wind in the narrow fairway in front of my slip. I like to pull up to my slip sometimes stop spin boat and back right in and sometimes I back up to my slip and then spin it around and go in straight. People think I have bow thrusters. I single hand a lot so I have learned from lots of practice not to rely on crew. In fact if anything does wrong its usually somebody on the deck or the dock that messes up the plan. Don't touch any thing until I say so! And when I do say so, do exactly as told.
I always thank them for helping and waiting for my exact instruction. I do the same when lending hand for the neighbors. I patently stand by and await orders. Only stepping in when necessary. I also never laugh or criticize for someones misfortune or mistake.
Well except for the speed boaters at the gas dock on the other side of the channel across from our marina. Can be quite entertaining.
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