handling long keel boats

[Poignard]

I could turn my Twister in her own length.

She had a RH prop so the way it went was:

Put the tiller port, hold it there with a shockcord loop I had rigged.

Give her a burst of ahead power and the propwash off the tiller starts a tight turn to starboard.

As she turns, put on astern power. Propwalk continues moving the stern to port.

As soon as she is more than 90 degrees to he wind, a burst of ahead power completes the turn.

Free the tiller from the shockcord loop, and off you go.

This is easy provided there is no wind. Even easier if the wind is from ahead when you start the turn.

A wind from astern makes it more difficult, and she might not turn in her own length.

A strong wind from astern makes it impossible in a narrow channel. In that case go astern in a series of curves, kicking her straight when she gets too near the side of the channel.

Or drop a lead weight on a line secured at the bow and weight until she swings to face the wind, then go ahead while retrieving the lead weight.

Finally, prize your white-knuckled fingers off the tiller and bow to the disappointed onlookers.

 

[Chiara’s slave]

We get around all these issues by using sails alone. Halyards and sheets are equally necessary. And if the wind is up your chuff and you’re moored bow in, then we’ll be doing some pushing by hand.

 

[pyrojames]

A good set of tricks shown by Leo, and much along the lines when I have to berth in a marina. I have a offset prop though, so no helpful propwash, but a cutaway forefoot which allows for tighter spins.

 

[Rappey]

I was out in the middle of a calm harbour and decided to see if i could gain any control at any point in reverse.
Hit reverse and the boat decided it was going stbd even though the rudder was on full port. Waited while the boat gained speed. Once i reached 5 knts i concluded it would just keep going round in circles in reverse regardless of rudder position...
Spent a summer in a marina so was out a lot to make the most of it. To get out of the finger berth for me it was easier to pull the boat backwards then pull the bow in to start the turning ,hop on and hit reverse to continue reversing in the chosen direction. Push the bow away if i want to reverse in the opposite direction.