Steering under power
- Thread starter Jimm
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Prop Walk
I think this is normal - Prop walk in reverse (bow to stbd - stern to port) Not as pronounced but opposite when going forward (bow to port - stern to stbd). Once up to speed prop walk goes away. This is why most sail boaters prefer Port`Side to when approaching a fuel dock. You angle in slow - then when you hit reverse the stern pulls to port and you are abeam the fuel dock.
I think this is normal - Prop walk in reverse (bow to stbd - stern to port) Not as pronounced but opposite when going forward (bow to port - stern to stbd). Once up to speed prop walk goes away. This is why most sail boaters prefer Port`Side to when approaching a fuel dock. You angle in slow - then when you hit reverse the stern pulls to port and you are abeam the fuel dock.
noobie having same frustration
Jimm, I have the same frustrations, but mostly with reverse trying to back out of the slip opposite the side it wants to walk. i cant seem to find a balance of throttle/ rudder position yet but its not from lack of trying. On my wheel I have a brake which i turn in a little to prevent the rudder swinging on its own, but not sure it this is the right thing to do... it helps though.
Jimm, I have the same frustrations, but mostly with reverse trying to back out of the slip opposite the side it wants to walk. i cant seem to find a balance of throttle/ rudder position yet but its not from lack of trying. On my wheel I have a brake which i turn in a little to prevent the rudder swinging on its own, but not sure it this is the right thing to do... it helps though.
Most folks complain about reverse prop walk
because they don't use enough throttle going backwards. Do an archive search on "propwalk" and read all about it. I understand a Google search gets a lot of hits because it's such a popular subject. Since the prop rotates, it does the same thing in forward. Your wheel should NEED to be turned just a few degrees to starboard to offset.
because they don't use enough throttle going backwards. Do an archive search on "propwalk" and read all about it. I understand a Google search gets a lot of hits because it's such a popular subject. Since the prop rotates, it does the same thing in forward. Your wheel should NEED to be turned just a few degrees to starboard to offset.
thanks Paul
I thought maybe it was just my Catalina 30TR model, or because i have the wing keel(?)which I think allows athwartship movement, but I see others having the same issue at this marina including the power cruiser guys with single props like the Mainship. There isn't much room in these slips for backing out and mine ends up being equivalent to a 10+ point turn. I'm sure I'll get better the more I do it, but backing up then going into nuetral in order to get water over the rudder puts me awfully close to the boats behind me on the opposing dock, and I doubt there is any more than 40 ft to manuever in.
I thought maybe it was just my Catalina 30TR model, or because i have the wing keel(?)which I think allows athwartship movement, but I see others having the same issue at this marina including the power cruiser guys with single props like the Mainship. There isn't much room in these slips for backing out and mine ends up being equivalent to a 10+ point turn. I'm sure I'll get better the more I do it, but backing up then going into nuetral in order to get water over the rudder puts me awfully close to the boats behind me on the opposing dock, and I doubt there is any more than 40 ft to manuever in.
Dock line
A few years ago I read an article on prop walk and have had some degree of success using the stern dock line as a control point while backing out of my slip. Leaving a single wrap on the cleat I can pull the stern to starboard as I back out causing the boat to turn in the desired direction. If it doesn't turn I hold the line and pull back into the slip. Otherwise I retrieve the line as it slips out of the cleat. I also got out in an open area and practiced short forward bursts at full throttle (3-5 seconds) to see how well the boat responds to Port and Starboard. This gave me confidence in the fairway between boats. Finally some days you just go with the flow and do a "Crazy Ivan" and head out.
A few years ago I read an article on prop walk and have had some degree of success using the stern dock line as a control point while backing out of my slip. Leaving a single wrap on the cleat I can pull the stern to starboard as I back out causing the boat to turn in the desired direction. If it doesn't turn I hold the line and pull back into the slip. Otherwise I retrieve the line as it slips out of the cleat. I also got out in an open area and practiced short forward bursts at full throttle (3-5 seconds) to see how well the boat responds to Port and Starboard. This gave me confidence in the fairway between boats. Finally some days you just go with the flow and do a "Crazy Ivan" and head out.
Bob, have you considered "manhandling it"
It seems like your problem with the "bulls-eye" is in leaving your slip rather than returning. Sometimes in difficult situations I will walk the boat out of the slip by locking the wheel in the desired turn and then just walk the boat out using the bow line. When the bow is at the end of the finger pier you can swing it the right direction and then either start walking it back the other way or just climb on as it is going by. A fender step helps with that last manuever.
It seems like your problem with the "bulls-eye" is in leaving your slip rather than returning. Sometimes in difficult situations I will walk the boat out of the slip by locking the wheel in the desired turn and then just walk the boat out using the bow line. When the bow is at the end of the finger pier you can swing it the right direction and then either start walking it back the other way or just climb on as it is going by. A fender step helps with that last manuever.
Big Butt Boat Next Door!
Bob........... Well, at first I considered using spring lines, hiring folks to push out my nose from the dock and even diving in with flippers to guide it back, but it is all futile! To my starboard, the vessel next to me sticks out too far from the end of the dock to swing tightly starboard via lines set up amidship or at the bow. The simplest procedure for me is to drive back very slowly and let her go to port where the old gal just loves to track. If I have too much windage, I can get screwed in the turnaround and thats a real nail-biter! Thats where I hang crew like fenders off the sides!!!! That bullseye can get really close!!!!! Driving her back is where I have become the most comfortable in my present situation. If the Bristol ever left the dock behind me, which I hear he will one day, I will have the extra room to try and perfect a starboard backing. For now I yield to the gods of propwalk!! Bob '88 Mark II
Bob........... Well, at first I considered using spring lines, hiring folks to push out my nose from the dock and even diving in with flippers to guide it back, but it is all futile! To my starboard, the vessel next to me sticks out too far from the end of the dock to swing tightly starboard via lines set up amidship or at the bow. The simplest procedure for me is to drive back very slowly and let her go to port where the old gal just loves to track. If I have too much windage, I can get screwed in the turnaround and thats a real nail-biter! Thats where I hang crew like fenders off the sides!!!! That bullseye can get really close!!!!! Driving her back is where I have become the most comfortable in my present situation. If the Bristol ever left the dock behind me, which I hear he will one day, I will have the extra room to try and perfect a starboard backing. For now I yield to the gods of propwalk!! Bob '88 Mark II
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