Kawasaki
Well-Known Member
During the last 24 Months I have had a Large number of hours helming and instructing three people on Beneteau Barracuda 9 metre boats with 150 and 200 HP boats, outboards obviously
One had a 'flybridge' the other two did not
Just for information
I have just come across this Post
I have not read all the replies
My following comments are 'Virgin' as it where
I must post quickly, I have 'stuff' to do!
Because an outboard fitted vessel like the Barracuda has the engines fitted quite close to each other
The 'Traditional' way of using them to manouver in 'Close Quarters' is not quite the same as One would do/use with a shaft drive vessel
The twin outboard set up is really quite good
To some respects a unique and responsive way of handling a boat
It is a 'Balance' of all techniques
One engingine can be used at some time
Two on occasions
The 'trick' as you noticed is
Slow and sure
Tiss the angle of approach and speed which is important
As with all berthing
The slower the better if possible
If it it is breezer/ windy a more Gung Ho way might be the way but quite often that leads to problems!
The Throttle is not usually the answer
Nine times out of Ten it is the bane of berthing
The 'Steer then Gear' is the way to berth
What boat owners and similar do not realise and use with twin outboards
Or any outdrive type vessels
To 'turn' the boat in a tight space is to knock some 'speed off', IE sometimes just go into nuetral and then turn the vessel to port or starboard and hit reverse, whichever way you want the vessel to move
But get all the steering done first
Whilst in nuetral
Small adjustements of the throtlle but BIG adjustments of the Helm
First!
Twin outdrives and or Outboards are very manouverable
Its a Combination of the shaft drive tequniche
But bloody hard to explain in writing!
Crackin boats thos Barracudas by the way!:encouragement:
