In truth, there is no "prop walk" speed ..... it is always there. What
you describe is getting enough sternway on that the larger rudder on
your sailboat becomes, somewhat, effective.
Don't get me wrong, this does work, but it has limitations, in that you
may have more way on than you want, and steering astern like this
becomes very sensitive, where, if you should use too much wheel, the
boat may, as was described, take off in that direction and be hard to
correct.
By limiting the "asterns" and keeping the sternway low, you may not go
as straight as you'd like, but you have more time and can more easily
correct, the errors. On my "Contessa", this worked well .... and in fact
if I got too much sternway on she'd let me know, as it would take two
men and a boy to hold the rudder straight.

As in most cases, what works for one may not work for another, but I
generally find I can make slow and easy work more often, for me.

otn

SAIL LOCO wrote:
I've found the opposite to be true. To counter prop walk - when forward motion
has stopped put the boat in reverse and rev the hell out of the motor to get it
moving backwards past the prop walk speed then immediatly back off the throttle
and keep enough revs to back the boat straight to where ever you want to go.
S/V Express 30 "Ringmaster"
Trains are a winter sport

Barb,

otn is on the right track. Some vessels are real pigs in reverse. I have
problems when I have the Folding prop because I have to hit high RPM to
get the blades to open.

When I back out of the Slip, I hold the stern in place with the stern
line until I start to make sternway then I throtle back. Remember You
have a neutral gear. Use it to correct sternwalk, once you get some way.
Use reverse in short pulses and correct in neutral allowing for the next
stern walk under power. KEEP RPM LOW, correct in neutal, curse that cut
away stern and prop and keep trying

Ole Thom

On Thu, 14 Aug 2003 22:04:15 -0700 (PDT), (Thom
Stewart) wrote:

Barb,

otn is on the right track. Some vessels are real pigs in reverse. I have
problems when I have the Folding prop because I have to hit high RPM to
get the blades to open.

When I back out of the Slip, I hold the stern in place with the stern
line until I start to make sternway then I throtle back. Remember You
have a neutral gear. Use it to correct sternwalk, once you get some way.
Use reverse in short pulses and correct in neutral allowing for the next
stern walk under power. KEEP RPM LOW, correct in neutal, curse that cut
away stern and prop and keep trying

Ole Thom

I think your approach is their best bet, Thom. My boat has an offset
prop shaft tot he port side with a right turning prop designed to
neutralize prop walk. For the most part, it does an admirable job,
but I will admit that backing is a bit different until there is enough
speed to maneuver. If prop walk is a problem, shifting to neutral is
the best remedy. Some boats are much worse than others, though
Mine is great once I get up to speed.

Neal,

While I'm talking about your mental outlook on problems, get your head
in tune to reality.

Things that really have meaning in life aren't concerned with
appearances. Happiness; is that a thin thing or shout?
What does LOVE look like? Please tell me what contentment looks like?
Pride, knowledge, accomplishment, satisfaction, joy, fear, failure, hope
and hopelessness; are any of these things have a thin or a stout
appearance?

In one of your lonely moments give some thought to these things and see,
in your Opinionated Mind if you can give a visual description of these
things

Let us, "DRINK TO THAT!"

Your Obese, 77 year old Buddy,
Thom