Long oar/sweep to aid steering astern

[pcatterall]

I have advised my sailing buddies that fitting a bow thruster on our Neptunian 33 ( in Spain ) is not really an option.
Our berth is difficult, and a thruster would be very useful (but let's not get into a long debate/ thread please!!)
One of the team has suggested we investigate making a fitting for a long steering oar, he has a good crew who could be trained to use it if it will work!
Any ideas (especially experienced ones!) will be welcome (is it mounted up front or astern?)

 

[MikeBz]

No direct experience… but I think the leverage on a stern-mounted steering oar when going astern would be nigh on impossible to manage (or with a big enough gorilla would break the oar!). Just keeping control of the tiller when going astern with a low aspect ratio rudder can be a challenge.

 

[Poignard]

Better to use the oar at the bow.

In one of his series of excellent booklets entitled “Handling Under Power”, John Goode (whom God did not, sadly, preserve) describes various techniques for getting awkward long-keeled boats astern out of marina berths.

One technique, used by a group who own a boat confiscated from the Germans after WWII, involves an oar at the bow.

 

[MisterBaxter]

The best use for an oar would be to row the bow or stern around while stationary (or nearly so). It would allow you to turn on the spot in theory, which would have to be useful in getting into a right berth. You'd just need a single stout rowlock or thole pin on the transom or bow, or both. Certainly cheaper than a bow thruster, and you could use the oar as a bargepole to fend off impacts with neighbouring boats.

 

[dunedin]

External bow thruster - EX Series Thrusters Ex SeriesThrusters - Bow Thrusters Direct

Or apply PBO innovation to create a mounting bracket and remote controls for one of these - ePropulsion Spirit 1.0 Plus Electric Outboard Motor Extra Shortshaft

 

[Neeves]

External bow thruster - EX Series Thrusters Ex SeriesThrusters - Bow Thrusters Direct

Or apply PBO innovation to create a mounting bracket and remote controls for one of these - ePropulsion Spirit 1.0 Plus Electric Outboard Motor Extra Shortshaft

If you are considering an oar then you will always have oarsmen - no need for remote control - just a bracket on the bow and a crew member there directing the electric O/B. The O/B would also be used for the tender - dual use (which is more than can be said for a bow thruster).


This all implies having crew - maybe worth thinking of a change of location where the vessel can be handled single handed.

I have always felt that a 33' yacht should be capable of being handled by one person (but I know such ideas are contentious, if not heretical).

Jonathan

 

[Hermit]

The O/B would also be used for the tender - dual use (which is more than can be said for a bow thruster).

Or, on the assumption you have a) a dinghy and outboard, and b) willing, sufficient and trustworthy crew, then you have a ready made tug in a push/pull combination if secured appropriately.

 

[Poignard]

I have advised my sailing buddies that fitting a bow thruster on our Neptunian 33 ( in Spain ) is not really an option.
Our berth is difficult, and a thruster would be very useful (but let's not get into a long debate/ thread please!!)
One of the team has suggested we investigate making a fitting for a long steering oar, he has a good crew who could be trained to use it if it will work!
Any ideas (especially experienced ones!) will be welcome (is it mounted up front or astern?)

Are you seeking advice about reversing into your berth or reversing out of it?

The reason I ask is because although reversing a long-keeler in a direction of your choosing can often be tricky, reversing out is much easier than reversing in, and there are several proven techniques that might help.

These are described in John Goode's "Handling Under Power" and Duncan Wells' "Stress-Free Sailing: Single and Short-handed Techniques " and in his videos.

For example, here's a simple one I use a lot:

 

[LONG_KEELER]

I had a 9' oar for many years on an awkward long keeler.

I had a strop fastened on the backstay chain plate for the oar, and rowed the stern from side to side when required under power. It was so effective I used to lock the tiller mid ships.

The only problem was where to stow it on the boat.

 

[Wansworth]

If two up land crew on hammerhead to standby. to assist from shore or alternatively call marina staff to take rope to assist in turning….I Hasán engineless 28 footer and a15 foot sweep was very useful ,sculling and leveraging round

 

[dansaskip]

The reason I ask is because although reversing a long-keeler in a direction of your choosing can often be tricky, reversing out is much easier than reversing in, and there are several proven techniques that might help.

Poignard is quite right about this. I will always foward in and reverse out - that is when I have to visit a marina.

 

[fisherman]

For turning in tights spots when you have no engine. For sculling also, longer is better.

 

[pcatterall]

Poignard is quite right about this. I will always foward in and reverse out - that is when I have to visit a marina.

In Spain where finger pontoons are rare. Boarding over the stern is far easier but with wind across I will often go bow too and turn her round later. The friend has usually wife and two grown up daughters who are all quite handy. Even so I guess there has to be good coordination between wheel and oar/'thruster'control.
Thanks all for the replies.

 

[penfold]

I have advised my sailing buddies that fitting a bow thruster on our Neptunian 33 ( in Spain ) is not really an option.

Is it? I can't see any fundamental reasons why not; not easy by any means, but there appears room to fit one.

 

[DownWest]

Using an oar over the bow culd be quite useful (bit of practice helps.) if it has the flat one side, curved other and using the figure of eight action. But, while I have used this on small boats to move sideways, a 30 odd footer might be a touche more difficult?

 

[ylop]

In Spain where finger pontoons are rare. Boarding over the stern is far easier but with wind across I will often go bow too and turn her round later. The friend has usually wife and two grown up daughters who are all quite handy. Even so I guess there has to be good coordination between wheel and oar/'thruster'control.
Thanks all for the replies.

It may be cheaper and easier to look at boarding arrangements / passarelle for the bow. I’ve only had the luxury of a thruster on a charter boat once - I agree doing it remotely is going to require excellent comms, trust and practice.

 

[pcatterall]

It may be cheaper and easier to look at boarding arrangements / passarelle for the bow. I’ve only had the luxury of a thruster on a charter boat once - I agree doing it remotely is going to require excellent comms, trust and practice.

Yes, a better boarding ladder for the bow is being planned! There is, though, the social side of things to consider. We have a good little community on our pontoon who we would hardly see
or talk to when bow to!

 

[Tranona]

Is it? I can't see any fundamental reasons why not; not easy by any means, but there appears room to fit one.

Boring thing such as the space where the thruster would go is a built in GRP water tank. Would be a major job to remove and also lose the water tank capacity.

 

[penfold]

I'm glad we're agreed then.

 

[pcatterall]

I'm glad we're agreed then.

I spoke to a guy who had fitted one in the same yacht.
He said it was a real pain and only did it because he was overwintered in a yard with good acess to equipment and help from a keen and experienced work force. We don't have good facilities like that near us.