On Fri, 29 Oct 2004 08:51:35 GMT, Daniel
wrote:
I remember all of them very well: entering with nonchalance her narrow
berth while I am struggling with her backing that makes her wander to
all places except the right one!

========================================

I've found that the secret to backing a sailboat is to give it a quick
burst of reverse power while still in open water. Get enough speed in
reverse, usually 1 or 2 knots will suffice, that you have water
flowing over the keel and rudder. At that point, take the engine out
of gear and let the boat coast backward under its own momentum. It
should now respond to steering just as if you were moving forward.
Practice, practice, practice...

Wayne B says:

I've found that the secret to backing a sailboat is to give it a quick
burst of reverse power while still in open water. Get enough speed in
reverse, usually 1 or 2 knots will suffice, that you have water
flowing over the keel and rudder. At that point, take the engine out
of gear and let the boat coast backward under its own momentum. It
should now respond to steering just as if
you were moving forward.

I find the best way is to get the "going forward" part just right, so that
reverse is used only to take way off the boat so you can step gently onto the
pierhead with your bow/stern line at the perfect moment. An admiring audience
of curvaceous females who appreciate the art never hurts here.

It doesn't always work like that in practice, however... ;-)

Steve

On 29 Oct 2004 21:31:09 GMT, ospam (Stephen Baker)
wrote:
An admiring audience
of curvaceous females who appreciate the art never hurts here.

It doesn't always work like that in practice, however... ;-)

==============================================

That's true.

Docking Disaster Coefficient (DDC) = N_spectators^3

There IS something very satisfying however about backing a 50 foot, 20
ton sailboat smartly into a slip and stopping the whole thing with a
quick burst of forward power just as you're about to take out the main
pier. It's the element of suspense that really gets them on their
toes.

BTW, I forgot to mention:

When handling a boat, there's a Right Way, a Wrong Way, and Your Way.

For the vast majority of boat handlers, they have a specific boat that
they handle at (generally) specific locations, under specific
conditions, and they learn a way to handle this boat, that works for
them under those conditions.
The point being, most of us don't get to do too many dockings or
undockings during a short season, so that we have to rely on what we
experience for our particular boat and conditions.
There is nothing wrong with this. The BEST way to handle your boat, is
the way which works best for you...... my comments just tend to delve
deeper into the subject.

Stephen Baker wrote:
Wayne B says:


I've found that the secret to backing a sailboat is to give it a quick
burst of reverse power while still in open water. Get enough speed in
reverse, usually 1 or 2 knots will suffice, that you have water
flowing over the keel and rudder. At that point, take the engine out
of gear and let the boat coast backward under its own momentum. It
should now respond to steering just as if
you were moving forward.


I find the best way is to get the "going forward" part just right, so that
reverse is used only to take way off the boat so you can step gently onto the
pierhead with your bow/stern line at the perfect moment. An admiring audience
of curvaceous females who appreciate the art never hurts here.

It doesn't always work like that in practice, however... ;-)

Steve

When docking a boat, head into the dock, a kick ahead on the engine, is
used for:
1. To increase/decrease rudder effectiveness.
2. To increase headway

...... a kick astern is used for:
1. To make use of prop walk in steering
2. To reduce headway

When docking a boat, stern first into the dock, a kick astern on the
engine is used for:
1. To make use of propwalk to increase/decrease rate of turn.
2. To increase sternway

...... a kick ahead is used for:
1. To make use of the rudder to move the stern opposite to the direction
of the propwalk.
2. To decrease sternway.

Notice, I'm saying a "kick" ahead/astern. Any use of the throttle, means
you screwed up the docking, 90% of the time, for one reason or another
(misread wind/current/turning rate/speed).

Are these rules written in stone? HELL NO!!! These are basic rules, to
work WITH, to think about as you maneuver, so you have a basis to judge
how well your maneuver went.
If you are moving astern, fast enough to have steering with your rudder
(even on a sailboat) you are probably moving astern too fast (NOTE, I
said PROBABLY).
The most important line you will PROBABLY use when docking, is a spring
line (either the "fwd after spring" or the "aft forward spring") which
should be run from a point 1/3rd of the way aft of the bow, to a point
midships, or 1/3rd of the way fwd of the stern, to a point midships, but
only if necessary, right AT the bow or stern.

Let the games begin!!

otn

otnmbrd says:

snip

If you are moving astern, fast enough to have steering with your rudder
(even on a sailboat) you are probably moving astern too fast (NOTE, I
said PROBABLY).

You're a stinkpotter, aren't you? ;-)


Steve

Stephen Baker wrote:
otnmbrd says:

snip

If you are moving astern, fast enough to have steering with your rudder
(even on a sailboat) you are probably moving astern too fast (NOTE, I
said PROBABLY).


You're a stinkpotter, aren't you? ;-)


Steve


G Nowadays, but not always, so that argument don't fly

On Sat, 30 Oct 2004 00:09:08 GMT, otnmbrd
wrote:

If you are moving astern, fast enough to have steering with your rudder
(even on a sailboat) you are probably moving astern too fast

=====================================

That's what everyone always says right up until I put the boat right
where I want it, the first time. (sailboats only please, big rudder,
big keel, etc.)

Wayne.B wrote:
On Sat, 30 Oct 2004 00:09:08 GMT, otnmbrd
wrote:


If you are moving astern, fast enough to have steering with your rudder
(even on a sailboat) you are probably moving astern too fast


=====================================

That's what everyone always says right up until I put the boat right
where I want it, the first time. (sailboats only please, big rudder,
big keel, etc.)


If it works, use it ..... any comments I make, are directed more to the
person having a problem or not understanding why something may be giving
him trouble.

otn

If you are moving astern, fast enough to have steering with your rudder
(even on a sailboat) you are probably moving astern too fast


=====================================

That's what everyone always says right up until I put the boat right
where I want it, the first time. (sailboats only please, big rudder,
big keel, etc.)


This is simply not true. The problem with backing single screw or
non-counter rotating twins is often interprted as have the ability to turn
only one way or the boat won't go straight back. This is caused by Prop
Walk. To gain or maintane stearage when backing your drive line must be in
neutral. Don't try to power backwards instead think of the power as a push.
Short spurts of power in reverse then retuning to neutral and glideing on
the push will give you control in either direction. Try it the next time
your on the boat.

John