This guy is GOOD....and not me!
- Thread starter David M
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What most people with no or little twin experience don't realize is the amount of maneuverability you have with twin inboards as it can pivot in its own length with very littl effort. It means that turning a 50 footer in a 55' fairway is really no big deal as long as you have enough visibility (or a cam over the transom).
really no big deal but when you are only used to to single engine operation it seems very hard.
And as bill and Bruce mentioned a little momentum can be used to your advantage instead of a spring, you just need a little more room. Unless your name is indeed captain Ron
really no big deal but when you are only used to to single engine operation it seems very hard.
And as bill and Bruce mentioned a little momentum can be used to your advantage instead of a spring, you just need a little more room. Unless your name is indeed captain Ron
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That's really not so.
It's just that it really isn't that impressive nor difficult of a maneuver, especially with the grinders. Hell, with those, it takes 0% boathandling skill. Turn boat sideways, push toggles, annoy neighbors, wait. It would be like parallel parking by turning all 4 wheels 90 degrees to the curb and rolling it straight it.
We're not being snide, it's just that we don't burst into spontaneous applause when we see someone pull into a parking spot at the grocery store without hitting anything, either.
Capt. Bill1
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I bet I, Pascal or a number of other people here could have you doing that with out a thruster in and hour, or perhaps less, of instruction.
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I am not an "experienced captain" but in the three short years I have had my boat I have learned how to do this and did not find it that hard or learn. That being said I would likely not try it with other boats around. For me it is just easier to come straight in put the bow in position, have my wife throw the line and bring the stern in. And I do have a bow thruster. Now turning on a fifty foot fare way and backing between two poles spaced 16' apart is what I find difficult, especially if there is any wind.
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8alNxLjCBJc
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The key is to anticipate the wind and use the wind. In our case, the slip is pretty exposed to wind since we are on a tee head so with heavy cross winds, I usually aim for the next slip (upwind). Then when I get close, I swing the stern over using the gears and slide it in. Bu then the bow has nowhere to go but follow
. If it s not blowing hard, I may aim straight for the upwind piling instead of the next slip... If I over estimated the winds I can just pause for a few seconds to let the wind line me up. It looks weird but it works...On the other hand if you fight the wind, you're n going to make it because it s much nearly impossible to move upwind...
Boats turn around a point a bit aft of midships. Twins have their thrust offset from center which allows all sorts of twisting thrust around that point.
In calm conditions go away from other boats and practice backing slowly while shifting in and out of gear and reverse and forward on one side at a time as you would to turn 360 in one place, with the boat going at walking speed in reverse . Here neutral as well as momentum are your friends. With a little practice you can spin the boat 360 degrees while it still keeps moving in the original direction. Once you get that down the rest is just little bits of the same basic ballet. Avoid throttles just set them above idle so you have thrust but not big dramatic prop wash like the SF guys like to show off with. Use neutral a lot.
Momentum is your friend even getting into a slip. A stopped boat is difficult to maneuver while one that is moving in the general direction of the slip can be easily adjusted. When entering your slip keep forward momentum in the fairway while spinning the stern toward the slip and adding bits of backing as you get close to being lined up. Most time you see folks having trouble backing into a slip it is because they stop. Poles are your friend. Get a cheek on a pole even if the boat is not lined up and you can pivot around the pole never loosing contact and the security of knowing exactly where the boat is.
When approaching the slip I am usually in neutral and just using trannys to make brief adjustment to direction and angle but not speed because I am already going slow. I set up the spin then add some revers on what ever side moves the boat toward the slip but also corrects for any sideways error.
Everyone has their own way but learn the spin ballet, plan in advance, keep momentum, try not to stop, do things slowly, use neutral and the rest is just thinking about what effect the prop change will have on the boat direction. It really sounds more complicated than it is just as parallel parking your car would.
In calm conditions go away from other boats and practice backing slowly while shifting in and out of gear and reverse and forward on one side at a time as you would to turn 360 in one place, with the boat going at walking speed in reverse . Here neutral as well as momentum are your friends. With a little practice you can spin the boat 360 degrees while it still keeps moving in the original direction. Once you get that down the rest is just little bits of the same basic ballet. Avoid throttles just set them above idle so you have thrust but not big dramatic prop wash like the SF guys like to show off with. Use neutral a lot.
Momentum is your friend even getting into a slip. A stopped boat is difficult to maneuver while one that is moving in the general direction of the slip can be easily adjusted. When entering your slip keep forward momentum in the fairway while spinning the stern toward the slip and adding bits of backing as you get close to being lined up. Most time you see folks having trouble backing into a slip it is because they stop. Poles are your friend. Get a cheek on a pole even if the boat is not lined up and you can pivot around the pole never loosing contact and the security of knowing exactly where the boat is.
When approaching the slip I am usually in neutral and just using trannys to make brief adjustment to direction and angle but not speed because I am already going slow. I set up the spin then add some revers on what ever side moves the boat toward the slip but also corrects for any sideways error.
Everyone has their own way but learn the spin ballet, plan in advance, keep momentum, try not to stop, do things slowly, use neutral and the rest is just thinking about what effect the prop change will have on the boat direction. It really sounds more complicated than it is just as parallel parking your car would.
I am not approving of his behavior but that was a great demonstration that Ron sure knows how to use momentum. See how he spun the boat and let it drift to the dock? He turned to port because sideways prop thrust with his single would allow a bit of extra push towards the dock.
A lot of SF show off similarly but you can learn from them just do it a lot slower.
A lot of SF show off similarly but you can learn from them just do it a lot slower.
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Pascal, that is pretty much exactly what I do. It just does not feel that way while doing it. Much easier with a wider slip such as the one I am in now (18') but it seems every other place I go the width is only 16' and I have a 15' beam. I get it in and am told I do just fine doing it. Like I said though it just does not feel that way. I am sure with a few more years I won't feel like a monkey humpin' a football.
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Called a powerslide. Do it right, it can look good. Do it wrong, it makes loud noises. Once you straighten her out, if you've still got too much leeway on, nada you can do about it.
"I bet I, Pascal or a number of other people here could have you doing that with out a thruster in and hour, or perhaps less, of instruction."
I already know and have done that maneuver before.
"We're not being snide, it's just that we don't burst into spontaneous applause when we see someone pull into a parking spot at the grocery store without hitting anything, either."
You simply cannot compare that video to parking in a parking spot at the grocery store. You are dealing with a LOT more weight, a much larger object, and oh yeah no brakes. Sure, you can slow yourself down, but not to a complete stop.
"It's just that it really isn't that impressive nor difficult of a maneuver, especially with the grinders. Hell, with those, it takes 0% boathandling skill. Turn boat sideways, push toggles, annoy neighbors, wait. It would be like parallel parking by turning all 4 wheels 90 degrees to the curb and rolling it straight it."
Really, no boat handling skills? Come on now. I hate thrusters, and will never own a boat with thrusters. You have to have some kind of skill to operate a vessel in that close of an area.
I already know and have done that maneuver before.
"We're not being snide, it's just that we don't burst into spontaneous applause when we see someone pull into a parking spot at the grocery store without hitting anything, either."
You simply cannot compare that video to parking in a parking spot at the grocery store. You are dealing with a LOT more weight, a much larger object, and oh yeah no brakes. Sure, you can slow yourself down, but not to a complete stop.
"It's just that it really isn't that impressive nor difficult of a maneuver, especially with the grinders. Hell, with those, it takes 0% boathandling skill. Turn boat sideways, push toggles, annoy neighbors, wait. It would be like parallel parking by turning all 4 wheels 90 degrees to the curb and rolling it straight it."
Really, no boat handling skills? Come on now. I hate thrusters, and will never own a boat with thrusters. You have to have some kind of skill to operate a vessel in that close of an area.
Capt. Bill1
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There are no reasons to hate thrusters. They can be a very valuable tool. Unfortunately they get over used and end up being a crutch for poor boat handling skills by some.