Using Prop Walk To Turn Have you ever thought about being in a tight turning situation anywhere and wondered how you would accomplish the maneuver? It is a pretty simple method, which is called "backing and filling". Prop walk, which most of us hate to deal with, becomes an asset in this situation and can help you turn the boat. If your boat kicks its stern to port in reverse, you'll "back and fill" by turning the boat clockwise (bow to starboard). If your boat kicks to starboard, you'll "back and fill" by turning counterclockwise (bow to port). The maneuver will enable you to spin the boat within its own length as if the keel was on a post. Remember, water must be flowing past the rudder for it to have any effect on the boat and the effect happens faster in forward than in reverse. Also, throughout this maneuver, resist the temptation to move the wheel. Here are the steps to follow: Step 1: Assume the boat walks to port in reverse. Start the turn in forward gear and turn the wheel hard over to starboard. Gain a little headway. Step 2: Keep the wheel hard over and shift to reverse. Your stern will turn to port. Your now about 50% into your turn. Step 3: When you are 50% into your turn, shift to forward keeping the wheel hard over to continue the turning arc. You'll start to gain a little headway. Step 4: Before gaining any real headway, shift to reverse, again keeping the wheel hard over and letting the stern kick over again. Step 5: At this point, you have completed your turn and are headed in the opposite direction. Now shift to forward, center the wheel and continue forward. Try this method in the middle of your wide turning basin and see how it works for you. Obviously, the narrow marina fairway is not the place for you to try this maneuver especially if you've never tried it before. By the way, you can perform the same maneuver with your outboard.
- Status
Really Excellent Description
Don, That's an excellent description of a valuable boating skill. It's good to see someone who appreciates this quirk of physics and knows how to use it to one's advantage. Thanks for writing it up.
Don, That's an excellent description of a valuable boating skill. It's good to see someone who appreciates this quirk of physics and knows how to use it to one's advantage. Thanks for writing it up.
good for "parking" too
Good description. Also might note that you can use this to your advantage at tight dock spaces (pump out, fuel, etc). If you find yourself needing to get into (or out of) a tight "parking" space, with boats or obstructions both in front and in back of you, simply take a slip line from your bow to a dock cleat, making that the pivot point. Then by judiciously adding burst of throttle while in reverse, you can swing the stern away from the dock, and be on your merry way. Usually by the end of a week or two of cruising, you should be good enough at this to take a space just a few feet longer than your vessel.
Good description. Also might note that you can use this to your advantage at tight dock spaces (pump out, fuel, etc). If you find yourself needing to get into (or out of) a tight "parking" space, with boats or obstructions both in front and in back of you, simply take a slip line from your bow to a dock cleat, making that the pivot point. Then by judiciously adding burst of throttle while in reverse, you can swing the stern away from the dock, and be on your merry way. Usually by the end of a week or two of cruising, you should be good enough at this to take a space just a few feet longer than your vessel.
Use it all the time!
We moor our 376 between 2 piling and use prop walk to back to port out into the channel. We have to go to port as there isn't enough water to starboard. If there is a stiff wind from the port (north) prop walk is the only way out. If anyone is planning a trip to Brerwers in Wickford Cove let me know for other tips. Old sailing hand look at these mooring and shake their heads. RREgge S/V Allie Kat
We moor our 376 between 2 piling and use prop walk to back to port out into the channel. We have to go to port as there isn't enough water to starboard. If there is a stiff wind from the port (north) prop walk is the only way out. If anyone is planning a trip to Brerwers in Wickford Cove let me know for other tips. Old sailing hand look at these mooring and shake their heads. RREgge S/V Allie Kat
- Status