On Tuesday, December 30, 2014 2:34:03 AM UTC-8, Mr. Luddite wrote:
On 12/30/2014 1:37 AM, wrote:
On Tue, 30 Dec 2014 00:34:26 -0500, Wayne.B
wrote:

This is fun to watch for a minute. Every year in Crisfield, MD on
Chesapeake Bay they have a contest for single engine working crab
boats to see who can dock the fastest. Don't try this at home.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aB4UGxFiziM

Having spent a little time in Crisfield I can tell you that these guys
drive their boats almost like that every day. It's impressive to
watch them maneuver. Someone once said that these guys spend more
time with their boats than they do with their wives.

That is not that big a trick.
We have had a lot better docking tricks posted here.
I like seeing guys who can almost walk a single prop boat sideways.



When I first bought the twin screw Navigator I hired a seasoned captain
of a tugboat to teach me a few things about boat handling.
He had me moving it sideways using the props (one forward, one reverse)
throttles, and the rudders.

Having also had a single screw Grand Banks, I can't imagine doing the
same thing unless you are using wind or current as an assist. I learned
to use prop walk and the "Back and Fill" method
to back into a slip but I don't know how you'd be able to go sideways
or even close to sideways. The rudder has no effect in reverse.

I agree about the rudder comment. I found that out on my Chris Craft Cavalier.