No, I'm an all night guy.

"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/

My solution to getting off docks is to motor forward against a spring
line with the helm hardover towards the dock. The propwash will kick
the stern out, at which point you can clear the spring line and
reverse out to open water. Works for me.

*************

With the wind holding you fast against the dock, that is indeed the
best way, in my opinion, to get away.

You don't mess with a spring line when there's a moderate wind on the
dockside beam, do you?

On 7 Apr 2005 09:46:52 -0700, wrote:

You don't mess with a spring line when there's a moderate wind on the
dockside beam, do you?

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

Not if the wind is going to push me away cleanly. The spring line is
really not a big thing however as long as there is a convenient dock
piling. We just take the the line once aroung the piling and bring it
back through a hawse pipe to a cleat. As soon as the stern is out
where I want it, Mrs B clears the spring line, and I back the boat
out.

Our new GB is actually a twin engine boat but I like to get on and off
the dock in front of our house using just the outside prop to avoid
stirring up canal mud at low tide.

Wayne.B wrote:
On 7 Apr 2005 09:46:52 -0700, wrote:


You don't mess with a spring line when there's a moderate wind on the
dockside beam, do you?


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

Not if the wind is going to push me away cleanly. The spring line is
really not a big thing however as long as there is a convenient dock
piling. We just take the the line once aroung the piling and bring it
back through a hawse pipe to a cleat. As soon as the stern is out
where I want it, Mrs B clears the spring line, and I back the boat
out.

Our new GB is actually a twin engine boat but I like to get on and off
the dock in front of our house using just the outside prop to avoid
stirring up canal mud at low tide.



One thing I see with all too many boats, is a lack of a chock/cleat back
on the shoulder or close to midships.
When you use a fwd,after spring from right at the bow, it tends to pull
the bow in too fast which means you need to exercise greater
engine/rudder control, than if you have that same spring lead further
aft at the shoulder.
With the wind on OR off the dock, when undocking that same spring can be
quite useful. You can come ahead with engine, using rudder to firmly
hold you alongside while your "mate" is taking in all other lines at a
safe pace, then when they are standing by that line, you can either use
it, or not, to spring out.


otn

JimH wrote:
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?


No time at all. Of course, I spent 30+ years sailing prior to that.

As has been posted by others, it is a skill that is not difficult to
learn. It takes a bit of study, and a bit more practice, and thinking
ahead (also, an awareness of the factors) going into every maneuver.

Fair Skies
Doug King

"otnmbrd" wrote in message
ink.net...
Wayne.B wrote:
On 7 Apr 2005 09:46:52 -0700, wrote:


You don't mess with a spring line when there's a moderate wind on the
dockside beam, do you?


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

Not if the wind is going to push me away cleanly. The spring line is
really not a big thing however as long as there is a convenient dock
piling. We just take the the line once aroung the piling and bring it
back through a hawse pipe to a cleat. As soon as the stern is out
where I want it, Mrs B clears the spring line, and I back the boat
out.

Our new GB is actually a twin engine boat but I like to get on and off
the dock in front of our house using just the outside prop to avoid
stirring up canal mud at low tide.



One thing I see with all too many boats, is a lack of a chock/cleat back
on the shoulder or close to midships.
When you use a fwd,after spring from right at the bow, it tends to pull
the bow in too fast which means you need to exercise greater engine/rudder
control, than if you have that same spring lead further aft at the
shoulder.
With the wind on OR off the dock, when undocking that same spring can be
quite useful. You can come ahead with engine, using rudder to firmly hold
you alongside while your "mate" is taking in all other lines at a safe
pace, then when they are standing by that line, you can either use it, or
not, to spring out.


otn

Been driving little single engine inboards for years though I haven't in
many years. Even inboards with steering weels on the inside side of the
boat. Never had any real problems.