Long Keel, Marina, Reversing

Yes, storm sail set 'backwards' on backstay works as riding sail. Also a sail can be hoisted from backstay normal way as "mizzen staysail" without a mizzen, for light winds :) But not the idea for marina, I'd guess.
I like your idea - just hanging the anchor a bit lower probably would do.
With bows blowing downwind heard that spray dodgers on rail, put quite aft, cured the problem on friends boat.
But then every boat has her own character.
 
Survey done today. All mostly good - meaning it resulted in what I suspected.

But yes confirmed as short fin keel in lead and his opinion was easy for move around.

So been a great discussion and I have learnt a lot about what a long keel really is - this boat doesn't have one!

Tony
 
Well now you know you can take part in the long keel vs short keel fights that come up on this forum every week or so! What colour ensign does it have? And what sort of anchor? :D
 
I used to have a dreadful time getting out of my tight berth, but after many nights trying to work it out, books, diagrams, videos etc. the best book was the short handed sailor for diagrams. Now I know where my point of turn is, how long the prop takes to grip astern, HWIMBO now stands on the bow, slipping the line slowly keeping the keel straight and contra the propwash and as soon as I get to my turning point, I can make the turn astern, line up the bow and go. I do this slowly as possible, quick burst to break the inertia and then steer against the wind & tide*. *Or using it on the rare occasion it is in my favour.

My boat isn't a long keel but is a bugger to move astern in a tight spot - you could always see if your marina has a nice hammerhead for you - the catamarans will be off south in the spring....

Di
 
Thought I would post a quick update as the OP.

I went ahead and bought the boat. She has wet bilges (too wet) but apart from that seems great, though yet to sail which is sort of the point :-).

She is a 5ft fin with skeg as people pointed out to me.

Had two hours of marina handling training today which was excellent. She has a big walk to port so the easiest way to get out from berth was to reverse her to wide water. The chap I was with put her through her paces with me and she doesn't like turning to starboard in reverse. On one approach it just wasn't possible with much throttle and full rudder. She does turn if throttle is taken off, but today the wind was right on the stern so she lost way quickly.

Very different handling to my previous boat - the bows are reluctant to blow off for example presumably because of the skeg.

The end result from the training is that she doesn't seem as frighteningly big to me as at first (migrating from a 26ft to 35ft) and I now know what to expect.

Many thanks to all who contributed to this thread.

Tony
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top