Turning Via Backing and Filling

[mark99]

Anyone tried to pivot your N/B boat in a tight circle using the yachting technique above?

 

EG to turn right.

 

Say prop walk, in reverse, kicks the stern to the left.

 

Tiller hard over to left, burst of forward, then burst of reverse leaving tiller still over to left - repeat burst of forward, repeat burst of reverse.

 

I suppose it's not great for winding holes as prop walk does not change so every winding hole needs to be on the "correct side" or your stern will have to go in the shallow bit of the winding hole.

 

 

[Richard10002]

Anyone tried to pivot your N/B boat in a tight circle using the yachting technique above?

 

EG to turn right.

 

Say prop walk, in reverse, kicks the stern to the left.

 

Tiller hard over to left, burst of forward, then burst of reverse leaving tiller still over to left - repeat burst of forward, repeat burst of reverse.

 

I suppose it's not great for winding holes as prop walk does not change so every winding hole needs to be on the "correct side" or your stern will have to go in the shallow bit of the winding hole.

 

 

Yes... Most of the time.

[FadeToScarlet]

Anyone tried to pivot your N/B boat in a tight circle using the yachting technique above?

 

EG to turn right.

 

Say prop walk, in reverse, kicks the stern to the left.

 

Tiller hard over to left, burst of forward, then burst of reverse leaving tiller still over to left - repeat burst of forward, repeat burst of reverse.

 

I suppose it's not great for winding holes as prop walk does not change so every winding hole needs to be on the "correct side" or your stern will have to go in the shallow bit of the winding hole.

 

Yes, I use it on the trip boat I steer- hydraulic wheel steering means it's hard to swing the rudder over, and the effect of the prop walk is greater than the flow over the rudder in reverse. We do always try and turn around the same way every time, though.

 

On the narrowboat, however, I always bring the tiller over the other way- once it's gone slack as the water changes direction. This can make quite a lot of difference to turning.

[NickF]

I do it sometimes .... I always take into account prop walk, wind, current, depth and then decide which way to spin, but it is always easier if you have prop walk helping you!

[Dharl]

Turning Short around is a very useful technique and have used it on all size vessels from a 14ft inboard engine launch to a Panamax oil tanker, with different results. On Honeystreet however, and other NBs I have hired, I have noticed that the actual prop walk is not such a huge factor, however having the tiller in the correct direction during the engine going ahead and astern makes a big difference, as well as making use of the wind!

[howardang]

Turning Short around is a very useful technique and have used it on all size vessels from a 14ft inboard engine launch to a Panamax oil tanker, with different results. On Honeystreet however, and other NBs I have hired, I have noticed that the actual prop walk is not such a huge factor, however having the tiller in the correct direction during the engine going ahead and astern makes a big difference, as well as making use of the wind!

It's also useful to watch the prop wash and adjust the rudder angle to suit. It is often the case that with the tiller hard over against the stops the rudder stalls with part of the prop wash going the wrong side of the rudder. By easing the tiller back towards amidships slightly the prop wash is directed across the correct side of the rudder and the turning effect can often be increased.

 

The transverse thrust/prop walk is often reduced because of the stronger influence resulting from a very small underkeel clearance, and at times even bank effect can be a factor.

 

Howard

 

 

 

Howard

Edited May 26, 2015 by howardang

[Dharl]

Thanks Howard,

 

yes meant by having the Rudder in right position is not always in the hard over position as you mentioned

[NickF]

Interestingly Caley Cruisers on The Caledonian recommend this method on their instruction video . (25 seconds in)

 

http://www.caleycruisers.com/contact-and-more/instruction-videos/boat-handling/