1st Flotilla Holiday - tips please

[lenseman]

Forget everything that has been said, just take me.
We are stuck here with strong winds forcast for the next week!!!

I will be in Brighton Marina tomorrow afternoon Friday 15 July), perhaps we can meet up before you fly south for the winter?

 

[Nostrodamus]

I will be in Brighton Marina tomorrow afternoon Friday 15 July), perhaps we can meet up before you fly south for the winter?

It would be a pleasure sir,
Pm sent

 

[Norman_E]

On going backwards, and this works best on a single wheel boat with a binnacle, throttle lever also on binnacle.

Stand the wrong side of the wheel (companion-way side) facing the stern when going in reverse. Steering and throttle then work more naturally. Push throttle away from you to go towards your target space (reverse), pull back to slow down and stop.

Steering is also the right way round (wheel to port sends the stern to port, starboard to starboard) and you don't need to keep looking over your shoulders.

Was a revelation to me when I first tried it.

The advice about starting to go astern well away from your mooring spot is very good. I think the furthest we have managed is about 6-700 metres through a marina - all astern in an Oceanis 461, steered like a dream and slotted perfectly into the allocated berth - all done using the method mentioned above.

I use that method, even on a twin wheeled boat where it is awkward to reach the throttle, and find it best, but it clearly does not work for everybody. I suppose it is just a case of what you are used to.

 

[lenseman]

. . . . . Steering is also the right way round (wheel to port sends the stern to port, starboard to starboard) and you don't need to keep looking over your shoulders. . . . . . .

Oh no it doesn't, not on every vessel.

My yacht will always go to starboard where ever you place the rudder. Due to very strong prop-walk, my yacht always goes 45° starboard when ever I go astern so I place the rubber fully starboard and when I need to straighten up I go 'full ahead' to correct and counteract the prop walk.

I then go astern again and repeat as often as required. Going astern is more a saw-tooth type of action.

A long keel 50-foot, 25 ton yacht is no fun in a marina!