"JimH" wrote in message
...
If you now or previously owned one how long did it take you to learn to
maneuver it properly at low speeds, most especially in reverse and in
wind?

I have always owned either outboards or IO's, including twin IO's (most
recently with counter rotating props) that normally made docking a breeze.

My friend owns a vintage 26' Lyman with single screw. He (and his sons)
can
walk the boat alongside a dock without effort. I have been on the boat
when
his oldest son (now a US Marine proudly serving in Iraq) walked the boat
into a 30 or so foot dockside space (boats in front and at the aft). It
was
indeed a pleasure to watch.

All of our ski boats have been single screw inboards, the largest being a
25' Malibu.

It is truly a skill to master, but like any skill, once learned, it comes
easier. I too, can "park" an inboard.

New piers and docks can still be tricky. I found myself at the end of a
narrow channel, where the restaurant slips were full to the right. I had to
turn the boat around (counter-clockwise) in about a 30 ft space that I had
never been to before. I had to work at it, but managed to get it done,
without touching anything.

What kills me, is there are always fellow boaters watching, and they are
wondering what the heck I am doing. Of course, these are the I/O and
Outboard guys, as you say you are Jim, and they just don't know. I'm glad
you now know the "trickery" of a true inboard Jim.

Take care.
--
-Netsock

"It's just about going fast...that's all..."
http://home.columbus.rr.com/ckg/