Using The Combi

stevebirch2002 · May 29, 2013

Yep, use warps......

SFrom: whiskerpole
Sent: Wednesday, May 29, 2013 10:11 PM
To: AlbinVega@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [AlbinVega] Using The Combi
The learning curve to maneuver the Vega has been steep and the scratches on the hull testify to that.

The first problem is the torque from the propeller forces the rear of the boat to port when backing up, and I want to go starboard.

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to counter the port swing?

I'm also unsure how forward to push the throttle/prop feathering control when moving under power.

With the floor board up, I can see that the lever will move far beyond the point where the throttle cam is at maximum power. Should I be moving beyond the cam, or should I mark the end of the cam has full speed ahead?

Thanks in advance for your collective wisdom.

Bob Fuchs
Silentium
V 2296

Trevykins · May 29, 2013

Bob, combi or no combi, the Vega likely backs to port because the prop shaft is offset on an angle to the portside of the rudder shaft. Get up some speed and she will eventually go to starboard. Otherwise use warps as Steve suggests.
The most important thing is that the cam is in the middle when the prop is in neutral - e.g. when prop is flat or feathered and the boat is not moving forward or back. It is easy to loosen the cam and adjust it. Once the throttle arm drops off the cam, in forward or reverse, the engine should actually depower somewhat and decrease RPMs. My two bits. Trev V2915 - Mystic Rose

To: AlbinVega@yahoogroups.com
From: steve@...
Date: Wed, 29 May 2013 22:47:15 +0100
Subject: Re: [AlbinVega] Using The Combi

Yep, use warps......
S
From: whiskerpole

Sent: Wednesday, May 29, 2013 10:11 PM

To: AlbinVega@yahoogroups.com

Subject: [AlbinVega] Using The Combi
The learning curve to maneuver the Vega has been steep and the scratches on the hull testify to that.
The first problem is the torque from the propeller forces the rear of the boat to port when backing up, and I want to go starboard.
Does anyone have any suggestions on how to counter the port swing?
I'm also unsure how forward to push the throttle/prop feathering control when moving under power.
With the floor board up, I can see that the lever will move far beyond the point where the throttle cam is at maximum power. Should I be moving beyond the cam, or should I mark the end of the cam has full speed ahead?
Thanks in advance for your collective wisdom.
Bob Fuchs

Silentium

V 2296

marcin_palacz · May 29, 2013

My experience is that on backing up, if there is any wind,
the bow will always turn down the wind.
Forget about the swing from the propeller, or position of the rudder
- these are just second (and third) order corrections,
usually unimportant ....

In order to get any steering on backing up, you really have to gain
some speed. Often there is not enough place to get such speed
- she will turn left or right before you get this speed,
and you can not control it.
If you anyway get enough speed, the forces on the rudder become large,
so I usually don't do it.

With some practice, you may usually
predict in which directions she will turn on backing up.
Plan your manouvers accordingly and help her with the rudder,
do not try to turn in the opposite direction - it will not work.
In any case, always have a backup plan
if this day she has a different mind...

On the other hand, she will beautifully turn
180 degrees on moving forward, in 1 and a half of her length, or so,
if you let her have some speed.

The conclusion is that often you can't really
control Vega on backing up.
But you can live with it.
It's not due to the Combi, but because of the propeller
positioned behind the rudder.

Marcin
V1958 Lotta

Vega1447 · May 30, 2013

Use the back to port issue to your advantage.
If you're in Annapolis I can show you free of charge.
I actually dock boats for a living, among other things.
~ Pete

Using The Combi

Whiskerpole

.

stevebirch2002

.

Trevykins

.

marcin_palacz

.

Vega1447

.