There are a whole bunch of different factors involved with each type
boat, operator, and conditions (such as the folding prop issue) that
will have to be factored in, which makes trying to recommend a positive
solution to any one boat, difficult, in this medium.
One reason I don't like using too much power/speed astern is the strain
on steering gear ( be it tiller or pedestal) when trying to use the rudder.
Something else to think about, which I frequently use (in the past on
sail and nowadays on power). If I have a right hand prop and want to
back in a particular direction, I will frequently start with a kick
ahead and hard left rudder to get the boat swinging to port, then
midships the rudder and start astern (timing is everything) and let the
prop walk stop the port hand swing of the bow while getting up sternway
so that the rudder can take over when I stop the engine so that I'm
going in the direction I want (this can be repeated).
Also, play close attention to the wind ..... a high percentage of boats
want to back into the wind (and current) and will sometimes do this over
prop walk, ....something else you can use to your advantage.

otn

DSK wrote:
otnmbrd wrote:


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.


Agreed. In my experience, revving exaggerates prop walk, but a boat with a small prop
and a large rudder (such as most sailboats) this may be the best way to get the boat
backing the way you want.

Out tugboat has the opposite, big prop and relatively small rudder. It takes a lot of
speed astern to get steerage, and it makes me nervous to go rushing backwards. So I
usually leave it at idle in reverse to gather sternway and then steer using bursts of
forward against the rudder.

To back into our slip, we have to make a 90 degree turn in the opposite direction
that prop walk in astern wants to pull us. I put the helm hard over & leave it, and
idle in reverse, occasionally switching to forward and revving slightly. It's taken
some practice but we can do it pretty smoothly now (most of the time).

Some folks with heavy single prop boats just give up and get a bow thruster. In fact,
in many trawler magazines you'll see claims that a bow thruster is necessary. So far
I haven't found it to be so, but I grant that there are some conditions where some
maneuvers simply can't work.

Fresh Breezes- Doug King

Hey, stupid, we're talking sailboats here - not your beloved
motor boat. Comments interspersed.


"otnmbrd" wrote in message ink.net...
There are a whole bunch of different factors involved with each type
boat, operator, and conditions (such as the folding prop issue) that
will have to be factored in, which makes trying to recommend a positive
solution to any one boat, difficult, in this medium.

Wrong. We are only talking about a sailboat here with one propeller
centered at the back of the keel forward of the rudder. Have you
ever even seen such a thing? No? I thought so.

One reason I don't like using too much power/speed astern is the strain
on steering gear ( be it tiller or pedestal) when trying to use the rudder.

Sailboats don't have big, powerful motors like the motor boats you are
used to. Their auxilliary motors won't cause damage to the rudder or
steering gear when reversing.

Something else to think about, which I frequently use (in the past on
sail and nowadays on power). If I have a right hand prop and want to
back in a particular direction, I will frequently start with a kick
ahead and hard left rudder to get the boat swinging to port, then
midships the rudder and start astern (timing is everything) and let the
prop walk stop the port hand swing of the bow while getting up sternway
so that the rudder can take over when I stop the engine so that I'm
going in the direction I want (this can be repeated).

Yeah right. Try backing out of a slip that way. You will hit one side
then the other, then back. What an idiot! Also, you will be going too
fast and be out of control.

Go back to rec.boats and STAY there.


S.Simon

So, Simple,

Would you be so kind, as to explain just how a true (I as you describe)
sailboat goes in reverse, against the wind, in a narrow seaway, without
tacking room?

While you're at it, explain how you get off a lee shore with the tide
aganst you, without tacking room?

ALSO, if you're so damn happy sailing why in the HELL do you have that
MONSTROSITY clamped to your stern?

OT

"Thom Stewart" wrote in message ...
So, Simple,

Would you be so kind, as to explain just how a true (I as you describe)
sailboat goes in reverse, against the wind, in a narrow seaway, without
tacking room?


Why would one attempt to go in reverse when one can go forward?
Are you daft, man? In case you and Jeff don't realize it, winds have
a tendency to change over a period of time. If one cannot sail out
of a narrow channel or seaway one can wait until the wind favors
sailing. One does not need a motor, ever, when there is wind enough
to sail. One only needs a motor when there is NO wind or so little
wind that sailing in not possible or practical (such as when there is
an adverse current).

While you're at it, explain how you get off a lee shore with the tide
aganst you, without tacking room?

One doesn't put oneself in that position to begin with. But, if for
some dumb reason, which you and Jeff seem to have in abundance,
one finds oneself caught on a lee shore with not a chance of sailing
off then one relies on one's anchors until the conditions change.

ALSO, if you're so damn happy sailing why in the HELL do you have that
MONSTROSITY clamped to your stern?

Like I explained the little 9.9 horse Honda engine is a convenience
for when there is no wind or too little wind for sailing. Those conditions
NEVER cause an outboard engine to come out of the water like you
or that idiot Jeff or Otnmbrd tried to claim. The argument that an
outboard motor is of no value in a sailboat is just totally wrong and
proves that any sailor who makes such a claim does not know how
to sail or keep himself out of dangerous situations. On the contrary,
people like you and that fool Jeff willingly motor into situations where,
if and when their engines fail, their well-being and that of their vessel
is in jeopardy.

I hope this helps.

S.Simon

bject: It finally hit me.
From: "Simple Simon"
Date: 08/15/2003 10:42 Pacific Standard

Hey, stupid, we're talking sailboats here - not your beloved
motor boat. Comments interspersed.

Hey stupid, put a motor in any boat, connect it to a shaft and propellor, start
it up, put it in gear and we have a motor boat.....egpart of the rules test
you flunked.


One reason I don't like using too much power/speed astern is the strain
on steering gear ( be it tiller or pedestal) when trying to use the rudder.

Sailboats don't have big, powerful motors like the motor boats you are
used to. Their auxilliary motors won't cause damage to the rudder or
steering gear when reversing.

Your inexperience, is showing


Something else to think about, which I frequently use (in the past on
sail and nowadays on power). If I have a right hand prop and want to
back in a particular direction, I will frequently start with a kick
ahead and hard left rudder to get the boat swinging to port, then
midships the rudder and start astern (timing is everything) and let the
prop walk stop the port hand swing of the bow while getting up sternway
so that the rudder can take over when I stop the engine so that I'm
going in the direction I want (this can be repeated).

Yeah right. Try backing out of a slip that way. You will hit one side
then the other, then back. What an idiot! Also, you will be going too
fast and be out of control.

Only an idiot such as yourself would think to apply this to a "slip" situation
..... inexperience? or lack of common sense?

Shen