Pumping the tiller...

[Swallowman]

And back to the thread, I found on our first trip in a hire boat, that in a very confined space, working the tiller did have an effect of swinging the stern a bit when under way slowly - enough to swing the back away from the stones if I thought I was going to hit a narrow bridge 'ole or similar. On my own boat, it has b****r all effect because the rudder is so small. We virtually have to stop Swallow if a tight turn is needed and if the wind blows, forget it!

[Yoda]

I can confirm that 'working' the tiller does reduce the turning circle of a boat, to a greater or lesser extent as I found out in Gloucester Docks awhile ago.

[furnessvale]

And they have changed again as I know to my cost. The exemption from holding a PCV licence is now restricted to driving vehicles more than 30 years old and with less than 8 people on board. If the vehicle is less than 30 years old or with more than 8 people, PCV licence is necessary. I've just passed mine to be able to take my 60 year old ex LT RT type on running days etc.

 

Hairy Neil was referring to the grandfather rights which gave a PSV (or indeed a HGV) licence to existing drivers. Such drivers, a reducing number as they retire, still hold the respective licence without the need to take a test.

 

George ex nb Alton retired

[Heffalump]

Well it works for me.

 

 

But I couldn't tell you if it was the placebo effect or not!!

[Liam]

I tried this recently on Ariel. I found that the quicker you push it hard over, once it has returned to the central position on its own, the quicker you turn in the smaller amount of space.

 

It definately works for me.

[Naughty Cal]

I can confirm it has no effect for me

[DHutch]

I can confirm it has no effect for me

Thats because you dont have a rudder!

[mykaskin]

I tried this recently on Ariel. I found that the quicker you push it hard over, once it has returned to the central position on its own, the quicker you turn in the smaller amount of space.

 

It definately works for me.

 

The consensus seems that it works, and therfore should not be banned from any boat test/handling. I noticed someone trying to turn an historic boat without pumping and it just wasn't turning anywhere near as well as I normally see with similar boats who do pump.

 

Cheers,

 

Mike

[Heffalump]

similarly, if you are reversing to bring yourself out of the winding hole, if you have the tiller over and pop it into forwards, it will not have much of an effect. if you bring the tiller back to 12 o'clock and wait for the water to be pushed over the rudder, then give it one hard push over, you will have much greater turning power.

[Naughty Cal]

Thats because you dont have a rudder!

 

Damn i knew there was something i was missing for the manouvre

[Speedwheel]

By pumping the tiller I can make the boat turn even if the boat is not in gear - so it must work to some extent.

 

Whether it makes that much difference when in gear though is another story. I think it makes it turn quicker though.