Berthing a 33 footer or a 40 footer

M

Micke_W

Active Member
Joined
15 Aug 2020
Messages
67
Visit site
I changed from a single engined 25ft to a twin engined 33ft and found the bigger boat much easier to handle . Twin engines making a big difference.
A 39ft is probably double the boat volume compared to a 33ft but to be honest, I would not let that put me off.
 
Same here. Went from a 27' single engine to a 38' twin engine with bow thruster and found it easier to handle despite the size. The only problem is trying to see how close you are to the pontoon and quick access to the deck area. I also hired a skipper for half a day for some tuition on handling.
 
having gone up through 14 , 18 , 21, 30, 36, and now 42 foot, the 42 is by far the easiest to handle / berth. I think it is down to the weight not getting pushed about by the breeze so much and the larger props giving the ability to paddlewheel the the stern over but in a relaxed manner.
 
I went from a single 25 foot single to a 36 foot twin with bow thruster, for me the main difference was in the single went into the berth forward and with the 36 twin it was always stern in !
Getting used to handling the throttles with the other hand while facing backwards was strange, again as others have said get some own boat tuition, I was fortunate that my friend who is a wizz with boat handling helped me for my first few times
 
I bought a Searay 240 in March (26ft?) with an Alpha oudrive and berthing after 10years out of boating really was a problem and embarrassing at the start. However over the summer I really had it down to virtual perfection (even if I say so myself). I’ve in the process of buying a Princess 410 and went out with a friend this weekend on his Squadron 43 ( Cats with shafts and electronic throttles and bow and stern thrusters). I took it out from the berth and through two locks (Swansea) and it was the first time I’d done it in that boat or anything that size and it was a breeze. It really is true - bigger is easier.
 
Last edited:
mil1194 said:
It was a massive difference having twin props and being able to spin around virtually on its own spot. Especially as the props were under the boat rather thanhanging 2/3ft off the back. Everyone told me it would be easier and it really was.
Click to expand...
Yep. Hope you didn't make the schoolboy error of using the wheel at low speeds... :)
 
Scala said:
Yep. Hope you didn't make the schoolboy error of using the wheel at low speeds... :)
Click to expand...

You must have been watching ? That was the strangest bit.... it was like teaching someone how to drive an automatic car by telling them to pretend their left leg doesn’t exist - I found myself holding onto the wheel and not being allowed to move it.
 
I think my autopilot uses the steering more than i do, probably use the steering more to dodge pot markers / floating rubbish than anything else, never touch it in the river/marina.
 
When I first had an auto transmission car, I found the best approach was to tuck the Left leg under the seat to forestall the natural use of the clutch.
Similarly with twin shafts, Left hand in pocket, to prevent use of the wheel!
 
we've got a 23ft single engined cuddy with 115hp and a Targa 43 with 960hp between the two engines. The Targa is by far easier to manoeuvre.
 
as per all the above - the larger twin engined boat will be easier to manoeuvre than the smaller single engined boat. Iswap between a windy 25 with a single engine and no bow thruster, to a windy 37 with twin engines and a bow thruster. The larger boat is far easier to manoeuvre
 
As has been said, size isn’t the only factor to consider - the type of propulsion can make a difference too. Shafts probably easiest and outdrives can be a bit tricky but okay when you get the hang of them. Pods easy as they have a joystick, as do some outdrive installations. Talking twins here.

Having had 32’ on outdrives, 37’ on shafts, 35’ on outdrives, 41’ on shafts, 34’ on outdrives and now 36’ on shafts - all twin engines, I would say that one of the easiest was the largest on shafts (41’) and the most difficult was the smallest (32’) on outdrives.

Hull shape and build are also factors and the 32 footer was a planing hull with very flat sections aft and being quite light was a handful at close quarters in a breeze. The 41 footer had lots of windage but a lot of torque and with only a small skeg keel on a planing hull I found it quite easy to handle. The current 36 footer is semi-displacement and with a bigger keel I can’t move the stern using the paddle wheel effect of the props quite as easily as the 41 but otherwise it handles well.

I sometimes helm a boat with Hamilton waterjets at work and that is a whole different ball game! Had to forget all my experience on shafts and outdrives and start again but once you get the hang of it (doesn’t take long) they provide incredible manoeuvrability at close quarters
.
 
Last edited:
tico said:
When I first had an auto transmission car, I found the best approach was to tuck the Left leg under the seat to forestall the natural use of the clutch.
Similarly with twin shafts, Left hand in pocket, to prevent use of the wheel!
Click to expand...

Our first mobo after 50 years of sail was a 47ft'fast' trawler style, semi-displacement with twin 270 hp engines. I had to learn that where it pointed was not necessarily where it was going. Momentum direction is what counts and it is important to first halt the overall momentum before rotating the bows, stopping that rotational movement, before then starting off in the required direction. A burst of power from one engine still allows skid pan like slippage to continue. ( cost me a dented stanchion and very red face) I still need to find which bit of my brain to sit on to prevent that error, leaving the wheel alone is easy peasy as turning it neither helps nor hinders, it is like having a toy one in the back seat of the car for the kids to play with. N ow we have a different boat and living aboard again back in the UK, it has twin 270'ish motors plus both bow and stern thrusters to complicate things further, but easy enough if I remember slow slow no quick quick until in open water. :eek:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top