Jonmendez
Well-Known Member
Why not just do a course and learn how to do it properly, if it wont do what you are asking then you are asking the wrong questions!
HELP! STEERING SINGLE ENGINE MOTOR CRUISER
- Thread starter P4ULTA21
- Start date
whisper
Well-Known Member
Re: Self help.
We've got a thruster on our Targa 25 and I agree that for 90+% of the time it isn't used. In fact I often forget that we've got it. HOWEVER, if I've cocked up the manouvre or the wind is gale force, then it is a super bit of kit to get you out of the s***.
We've got a thruster on our Targa 25 and I agree that for 90+% of the time it isn't used. In fact I often forget that we've got it. HOWEVER, if I've cocked up the manouvre or the wind is gale force, then it is a super bit of kit to get you out of the s***.
fireball
Well-Known Member
Re: Self help.
[ QUOTE ]
HOWEVER, if I've cocked up the manouvre
[/ QUOTE ]
Comeon ... correct yourself please - "HOWEVER, WHEN I've cocked up the manouver ... " /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
there you see - your just like the rest of us! /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
[ QUOTE ]
HOWEVER, if I've cocked up the manouvre
[/ QUOTE ]
Comeon ... correct yourself please - "HOWEVER, WHEN I've cocked up the manouver ... " /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
there you see - your just like the rest of us! /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
ColinHuggins
N/A
So here's me wiv a 28ft semi-displacement angler and an old Perkins 6.354 turning the single shaft - but the previous owner went thro all the above MINUS tuition or practice and sorted it . . .
When I saw the inventory I swore I'd fill that hole in the sharp end wiv newspaper and get the yard to glass over before anyone found out. After all, thrusters are for affluent idiots who can't park boats, not for reel boaters, even single-handed ones.
So I was wrong. Sometimes I forget what the steering thingy is for. Once I took her out of the pontoon slot, turned round in the (cramped) marina and came back in the other way round while the Morse/Teleflex was away being serviced. Yep, no rudder.
Sod the aftersale value, just drop your blood pressure. Tho you won't get bods rushing to help - thank God!
Go for it!
CJH
When I saw the inventory I swore I'd fill that hole in the sharp end wiv newspaper and get the yard to glass over before anyone found out. After all, thrusters are for affluent idiots who can't park boats, not for reel boaters, even single-handed ones.
So I was wrong. Sometimes I forget what the steering thingy is for. Once I took her out of the pontoon slot, turned round in the (cramped) marina and came back in the other way round while the Morse/Teleflex was away being serviced. Yep, no rudder.
Sod the aftersale value, just drop your blood pressure. Tho you won't get bods rushing to help - thank God!
Go for it!
CJH
JKay
Well-Known Member
Re: Self help.
He asked "wots a rudder" /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
cheers Joe
He asked "wots a rudder" /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
cheers Joe
hlb
RIP
Re: Self help.
As the forum resident anti bow thruster poster. I feel I must comment.
I used to have a 21ft egg whisk thingy, to be honest, I could not do a bloody thing with it. Yes it got better with practice and managed ok, but the boat wernt exactly helping.
Next was the P33 on twin outboards. Much better and might have been fine except they eternally refused to lock down and flailed away out of water.
We had the barge. Now sold, That was predictable. Had a bow thruster, which was a bit useless. But if anyone ever saw a barge on the Lancaster canal, you'd understant why!!
M Farter in contrast, with her twin screws. Well it just does what it says on the tin. But still needs some one to tie the bow reasonably quick if in a tight spot.
Trouble is here, we are looking at ideal conditions. OK wid blowing off pontoon, so head directly into wind. Ok till come to the one and only pontoon berth. AS I said earlier. Not the ideal situation. Most folk make this even more diificult by insisting on backing in. Cos thats the way the wife likes it.
With a boat. You have to look at what its capable of. Crew capable of. You capable of??? You only need to get two out of three right. Bit difficult if only one aboard but anyway.
There are plenty of books that will show you how to berth and aim at berth at different directions dependant on wind etc.
But with marina berth.Its the immposible meets the unatenable, most of the time.
Some times it makes sence to drop crew off in another place.
As the forum resident anti bow thruster poster. I feel I must comment.
I used to have a 21ft egg whisk thingy, to be honest, I could not do a bloody thing with it. Yes it got better with practice and managed ok, but the boat wernt exactly helping.
Next was the P33 on twin outboards. Much better and might have been fine except they eternally refused to lock down and flailed away out of water.
We had the barge. Now sold, That was predictable. Had a bow thruster, which was a bit useless. But if anyone ever saw a barge on the Lancaster canal, you'd understant why!!
M Farter in contrast, with her twin screws. Well it just does what it says on the tin. But still needs some one to tie the bow reasonably quick if in a tight spot.
Trouble is here, we are looking at ideal conditions. OK wid blowing off pontoon, so head directly into wind. Ok till come to the one and only pontoon berth. AS I said earlier. Not the ideal situation. Most folk make this even more diificult by insisting on backing in. Cos thats the way the wife likes it.
With a boat. You have to look at what its capable of. Crew capable of. You capable of??? You only need to get two out of three right. Bit difficult if only one aboard but anyway.
There are plenty of books that will show you how to berth and aim at berth at different directions dependant on wind etc.
But with marina berth.Its the immposible meets the unatenable, most of the time.
Some times it makes sence to drop crew off in another place.
jimh
Well-Known Member
ah yes, the good ol days - when men were men an we all navigated by the stars. Hell, forget the bow thruster and the outdrive for that matter - get the slaves to lower the oars.
whisper
Well-Known Member
Re: Self help.
By saying "if" I have, I assumed all would understand that I was speaking from experience /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
By saying "if" I have, I assumed all would understand that I was speaking from experience /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
whisper
Well-Known Member
Re: Self help.
Thank you oh Master !! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
Thank you oh Master !! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
hlb
RIP
Re: Self help.
First rule, is understand what you can achive and what you cant.
Occasionally I turn M Farter round to clean the other side. It's always a problem, it just dont bend that way. Once in. I cant get it out. OK I do, but with great difficulty.
Yet. It goes in first time every time. Under perfect control. Tuther way. Angles all wrong.
Down side is. One side never gets washed. Upside is. Moorings a sinch.
First rule, is understand what you can achive and what you cant.
Occasionally I turn M Farter round to clean the other side. It's always a problem, it just dont bend that way. Once in. I cant get it out. OK I do, but with great difficulty.
Yet. It goes in first time every time. Under perfect control. Tuther way. Angles all wrong.
Down side is. One side never gets washed. Upside is. Moorings a sinch.
duncan
Well-Known Member
Re: Self help.
[ QUOTE ]
First rule, is understand what you can achive and what you cant.
[/ QUOTE ]
I like to think of it more as what can and can't be acheived...........makes me feel better about admitting defeat /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
[ QUOTE ]
First rule, is understand what you can achive and what you cant.
[/ QUOTE ]
I like to think of it more as what can and can't be acheived...........makes me feel better about admitting defeat /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
hlb
RIP
Re: Self help.
I never feel defeat. Only having overcome adversity. Usually I know when I'm going to have big problems. So Organise a load of help first. The boat can only do so much. Theres a limit to what you or crew can do. As how expert you are.
I'm lucky. Have an alongside berth. Mind I would not have accepted anything else!!
I never feel defeat. Only having overcome adversity. Usually I know when I'm going to have big problems. So Organise a load of help first. The boat can only do so much. Theres a limit to what you or crew can do. As how expert you are.
I'm lucky. Have an alongside berth. Mind I would not have accepted anything else!!
seadove
Member
I have had a single engine 26 foot Wellcraft for nine years without a bow thruster and have learned how to berth/tie up to swing moorings, finger pontoons, stern-in pontoons, manoeuvreing in tight spaces. It is a very personally satisfying experience to achieve a successful manoeuvre, with or without people watching. My advice (from someone who has been there and done - as opposed to some who havn't) is GET A BOW THRUSTER..! This will not stop you becoming more adept at handling a single engine boat without using the thruster, but it will prevent quite a few scary moments. Don't listen to the know-alls who say that such a boat is too small for a thruster, or there is not enough windage on a 27 foot boat to warrant one. Don't be Macho - Macho is Wacko. Enjoy.
Andrew_Fanner
Well-Known Member
Shedloads of river boats in this size/drive category that have no thruster and need to go in and out of locks on a regular basis, as well as getting in and out of moorings. Thruster is "nice to have" not vital.
Topcat47
Well-Known Member
On my level two powerboat course, I was taught how to do a 360 within a boat's width. We used a 30' single screw steel launch. The test was to do it between marina pontoons.
Of course it had a lot more power than my current boat and a bigger rudder but it's just a matter of practise.
Slow astern (make use of the paddle wheel effect of the screw).
Stop engine.
Put on full helm,
Full ahead until the boat starts to move forwards.
go astern again.
Full opposite helm.
Repeat as necessary.
Practise in open water before taking your new skills into the marina.
Until you're confident, put the boat somewhere safe then warp her into your berth.
I'm assuming you have little trouble picking up a mooring.
Of course it had a lot more power than my current boat and a bigger rudder but it's just a matter of practise.
Slow astern (make use of the paddle wheel effect of the screw).
Stop engine.
Put on full helm,
Full ahead until the boat starts to move forwards.
go astern again.
Full opposite helm.
Repeat as necessary.
Practise in open water before taking your new skills into the marina.
Until you're confident, put the boat somewhere safe then warp her into your berth.
I'm assuming you have little trouble picking up a mooring.
duncan
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
On my level two powerboat course, I was taught how to do a 360 within a boat's width
[/ QUOTE ]
some trick - I can manage in just over my boats length but short of sinking the bow and flipping it over ...................
On my level two powerboat course, I was taught how to do a 360 within a boat's width
[/ QUOTE ]
some trick - I can manage in just over my boats length but short of sinking the bow and flipping it over ...................
whisper
Well-Known Member
Perhaps the test was done on a Cat. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
Andrew_Fanner
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
On my level two powerboat course, I was taught how to do a 360 within a boat's width. We used a 30' single screw steel launch. The test was to do it between marina pontoons.
[/ QUOTE ]
Not between pontoons but in restricted waters at a lock entrance has been part of club boat handling contests before now.
With the approval of the lock keeper.
On my level two powerboat course, I was taught how to do a 360 within a boat's width. We used a 30' single screw steel launch. The test was to do it between marina pontoons.
[/ QUOTE ]
Not between pontoons but in restricted waters at a lock entrance has been part of club boat handling contests before now.
With the approval of the lock keeper.
PCUK
Well-Known Member
As I have a steel boat I installed a huge electromagnet in the pontoon which is radio operated. I now simply motor into the berth, activate the magnet and the boat is brought neatly alongside onto the pontoon fenders. It's then a only a matter of stepping off and making fast.
andy_wilson
Well-Known Member
In boats width.
Was that a barrel roll or A over T?
Was that a barrel roll or A over T?