billskip
Well-known member
when sailing in the med sometimes I have to park blunt end first..any advice on how to go back straight ...or saill back if I have engine fail..?
going backwards
- Thread starter billskip
- Start date
Seafort
New member
place anchor with care, take it slow and keep an eye on the bows.
i get the other half to steer but i'm ready on the windlas clutch.
if you try the same make sure the "driver" understands what happens if the tiller is turned too far.
i get the other half to steer but i'm ready on the windlas clutch.
if you try the same make sure the "driver" understands what happens if the tiller is turned too far.
steve_cronin
N/A
Yes and if there is a sidewind note the lay of your neighbours' anchor cables and try to gestimate the slant so that you can drop yours upwind in the middle of the gap. Also remember that as you enter the space between your new neighbours that you will suddenly be in a wind shadow and therefore will need to quickly remove the helm compensation you have been applying or you will quickly veer into one of them. Slow speed in the answer to the whole manoevre. just drift back slowly, once out of the wind even stop a couple of times and move back again. Panic is your worst enemy but this is usually caused by not having warps & fenders ready and to hand. Make sure that the crew know exactly what is expected of them and pre-arrange hand signals with the anchor hand. If you have a walk-though transom this makes things much easier as you can usually step ashore with lines if there isn't a local on hand to take them from you.
Of course make sure that any ballasting protruding out from the quay isn't going to damage your rudder. (Do a reccy first)If it is then better to go bows-to.
Remember that being first on the quay is the most difficult but hang around until any new neighbours are safely in.
It does get MUCH easier with practice!
Steve Cronin
Of course make sure that any ballasting protruding out from the quay isn't going to damage your rudder. (Do a reccy first)If it is then better to go bows-to.
Remember that being first on the quay is the most difficult but hang around until any new neighbours are safely in.
It does get MUCH easier with practice!
Steve Cronin
Twister_Ken
Well-known member
As ever, much depends on the boat. Modern BenJenBav types - especially with fixed props - tend to handle astern nearly as neatly as they do going ahead. What will you be in/on?
billskip
Well-known member
thanks ken im on/in a gibsea 126...nobody has told me how to do it under sail...!
Twister_Ken
Well-known member
Under sail. Anchor off, row a line ashore, heave it in, while using the tender (with outboard!!!) as a pusher tug to line the beastie up.
Possibly (just) you might be able to back in if the wind is on the nose, by holding the mainsail back. Wouldn't like to try it myself!
Possibly (just) you might be able to back in if the wind is on the nose, by holding the mainsail back. Wouldn't like to try it myself!
summerwind
New member
Pardon my ignorance but is it an absolute necessity to moor stern in?
Why not moor bows in and leave by hauling out using winches. I would find it just about impossible to moor stern-to at a slow speed without bouncing off something.
Any answers greatly appreciated.
Why not moor bows in and leave by hauling out using winches. I would find it just about impossible to moor stern-to at a slow speed without bouncing off something.
Any answers greatly appreciated.
billskip
Well-known member
its not ignorance summerwind..going in bow first is ok for smaller yachts with light ground tackle ..but I have 47ft loa and the damage to the back end could be nasty hauling in a heavy kedge ... as it is I lay 60 to 100 mtrs of cable to hold in bad weather in some ports ....also ..im single handed...
bryantee
New member
If you have a modern boat with fin and skeg.no problem.some of the charter boats in the med with wheel steering are easier to park than a car. the MGC27 used to sail backwards very easily.I have long keels one a nova 27 with a raked rudder.Ive tried for hours to practise.the prop walk is not bad but unless the wind is on the stern its lucky dip.The rival with a long keel and vertical rudder is easier but the Prop walk to port is strong. great for leaving the marina berth, or along side, turns on a sixpence. but in a tight marina its a problem backing in.I.m used to climbing over the bow now and it deters unauthorised visits.we usualy provide free entertainment for the watching crowdsanyway.Have some sympathy for the new charterer,new boat,delayed flight,lost luggage.not used to stern mooring.sarcastic comments from wife and offspring.12FT wide boat into 11ft.gap big problems.
billskip
Well-known member
Patras..do you know MAD ROBBI:??
bryantee
New member
fairly new to the marina .met a few guys saturday night had a quick force ten through.spent four hours remooring yachts and cruisers .couple of cruisers on the pontoons.great fun! no major damage. all my spare lines shared out .Met a couple of guys with british wives. Whats his boats name?
johndf
New member
If you were sailing a dinghy, then sailing in backwards by pushing the boom forwards would be a real option as long as you had an onshore wind - I'm not so sure it would be that easy with a forty footer!
billskip
Well-known member
last I hered mad robbi was delevering boats for <Neilson think he may be in levcas
now ..works your area a lot also has a brother there somwhere...hope your enjoying life there Im normaly in porop and aegina in the aegean ..winds can go
from nothing to f10 very quick..I dont think many realise the weather in Greece they think its all sun and fun
now ..works your area a lot also has a brother there somwhere...hope your enjoying life there Im normaly in porop and aegina in the aegean ..winds can go
from nothing to f10 very quick..I dont think many realise the weather in Greece they think its all sun and fun
zefender
Active member
Re: going backwards or bows to
If you have difficulty laying a kedge anchor, or rather hauling one in, why not use the bow anchor but make it fast from the stern with the cable running back to the bow. Then when you want to leave harbour, reverse back a bit and then turn the boat around by pullling the cable in from the bow. Should be easier than trying to sail in stern to! If you use this method, you might be able to sail in anyway.
If you have difficulty laying a kedge anchor, or rather hauling one in, why not use the bow anchor but make it fast from the stern with the cable running back to the bow. Then when you want to leave harbour, reverse back a bit and then turn the boat around by pullling the cable in from the bow. Should be easier than trying to sail in stern to! If you use this method, you might be able to sail in anyway.
charles_reed
Active member
Personally I always try and go in front end first.
From the sound of your post you have a long-keeler - if so go in forward, the alternative of using the bower as a hold-off requires a dedicated and muscular crew.
I used to be able to sail my first boat backwards by just pushing the mainboom forward - when I tried the same trick with this one, it went round in a circle and then threw me overboard.
From the sound of your post you have a long-keeler - if so go in forward, the alternative of using the bower as a hold-off requires a dedicated and muscular crew.
I used to be able to sail my first boat backwards by just pushing the mainboom forward - when I tried the same trick with this one, it went round in a circle and then threw me overboard.
