Moving sailboat in reverse gear over some distance

P

poultey

Member
Joined
6 Nov 2010
Messages
26
Visit site
Recently acquired Moody 31 Mk II, Volvo Penta 2003 28hp, Brunton H5 folding prop.

It's necessary to move my boat from one location to another 2 miles away. The route is mainly winding narrow river so not entirely suited to using sails. The graunching sound experienced when I'm in forward gear that is not present when in neutral or reverse has, I believe, been rightly diagnosed by helpful contributors on here as me erroneously fitting the Admiral shredder rope cutter too close to the 'P' bracket resulting in the two surfaces coming together. The rope cutter issue can be most easily addressed at the destination port so my question is, to get there, would the prop/engine etc be adversly effected were I to reverse the entire 2 miles ? Any thoughts appreciated.
 
You can of course ... but IMHO - very slowly - as the rudder mounts will take a hell os a strain ... you will feel it on a tiller - the rudder acts like a barn door in a storm ...

If you don't want to take it easy going fwd ... then I suggest a tow from another boat ... use your own engine ahead / astern to start and meet other boat and then for final docking.
 
poultey said:
Recently acquired Moody 31 Mk II, Volvo Penta 2003 28hp, Brunton H5 folding prop.

It's necessary to move my boat from one location to another 2 miles away. The route is mainly winding narrow river so not entirely suited to using sails. The graunching sound experienced when I'm in forward gear that is not present when in neutral or reverse has, I believe, been rightly diagnosed by helpful contributors on here as me erroneously fitting the Admiral shredder rope cutter too close to the 'P' bracket resulting in the two surfaces coming together. The rope cutter issue can most easily be addressed at the destination port so my question is, to get there, would the prop/engine etc be adversly effected were I to reverse the entire 2 miles ? Any thoughts appreciated.
Click to expand...
Assuming the diagnosis is correct then I see no problem at all by reversing for 2 miles, and assuming you boat will steer sufficiently well in reverse. How close is "too close" to the P bracket? I assume you only need to move the rope cutter 3 or 4mm aft and if so I would separate the shaft coupling from the gearbox and re fasten with a 4mm thick washer for each bolt so the shaft moves aft by that amount, then you can motor forward.
 
Last edited:
Plum said:
Assuming the diagnosis is correct then I see no problem af all by reversing for 2 miles, and assuming you biat will steer sufficiently well in reverse. How close is "too close" to the P bracket? I assume you only need to move the rope cutter 3 or 4mm aft and if so I would separate the shaft coupling from the gearbox and re fasten with a 4mm thick washer for each bolt so the shaft moves aft by that amount.
Click to expand...

See my reply in his other post on this subject ...

Going astern as we all know is possible - but extreme care and very slow - as the rudder is now ahead of the mountings and puts hell of a strain on mountings and who's on helm - especially if tiller !!

Personally I would tow the boat ...
 
poultey said:
Recently acquired Moody 31 Mk II, Volvo Penta 2003 28hp, Brunton H5 folding prop.

It's necessary to move my boat from one location to another 2 miles away. The route is mainly winding narrow river so not entirely suited to using sails. The graunching sound experienced when I'm in forward gear that is not present when in neutral or reverse has, I believe, been rightly diagnosed by helpful contributors on here as me erroneously fitting the Admiral shredder rope cutter too close to the 'P' bracket resulting in the two surfaces coming together. The rope cutter issue can be most easily addressed at the destination port so my question is, to get there, would the prop/engine etc be adversly effected were I to reverse the entire 2 miles ? Any thoughts appreciated.
Click to expand...
I've replied to your other, identical, post.......
 
Refueler said:
See my reply in his other post on this subject ...

Going astern as we all know is possible - but extreme care and very slow - as the rudder is now ahead of the mountings and puts hell of a strain on mountings and who's on helm - especially if tiller !!

Personally I would tow the boat ...
Click to expand...
Agree, another alternative. Yes, would be a bit tiring on the tiller in reverse for 2 miles but if the rudder mounts are not up to it I would have no confidence in them in a seaway. I would stll prefer to move the shaft aft, as my post above, and go in forward gear
 
Last edited:
Refueler said:
See my reply in his other post on this subject ...

Going astern as we all know is possible - but extreme care and very slow - as the rudder is now ahead of £££f£f££f£f£f⁷f££f£fd mountings and puts hell of a cstrain on mountings⁶ and wh7ho's onI helm - especially if tiller !!
In
Personally I would tow the boat ...
Click to expand...
N
 
I took have a Moody 31 mk II, and would strongly emphasize that the least inattention will result in the tiller whipping over hard. Also, you will have little steering authority; you can only make very gentle turns, and if you get unfortunate combinations of wind and prop-wash, you may be unable to turn in some directions at all.

I have reversed for a 100m or so when I've been unable to turn in the right direction out of my berth, but it's slow and hard work. I had to restrict speed through the water to a knot or so; faster than that and it be becomes very difficult to steer without losing control of the rudder.
 
Refueler said:
You can of course ... but IMHO - very slowly - as the rudder mounts will take a hell os a strain ... you will feel it on a tiller - the rudder acts like a barn door in a storm ...

If you don't want to take it easy going fwd ... then I suggest a tow from another boat ... use your own engine ahead / astern to start and meet other boat and then for final docking.
Click to expand...
I think you're absolutely right and have experienced what you describe on my previous boat ¼ the weight. Also some of the route will be in a wider channel more influenced by the wind making it much heavier going. I'll rethi k this and possibly shaken off the rope cutter by taking a dip over the side.
 
AntarcticPilot said:
I took have a Moody 31 mk II, and would strongly emphasize that the least inattention will result in the tiller whipping over hard. Also, you will have little steering authority; you can only make very gentle turns, and if you get unfortunate combinations of wind and prop-wash, you may be unable to turn in some directions at all.

I have reversed for a 100m or so when I've been unable to turn in the right direction out of my berth, but it's slow and hard work. I had to restrict speed through the water to a knot or so; faster than that and it be becomes very difficult to steer without losing control of the
Click to expand...
Appreciate the reply AntarticPilot. I'll probably try to get under the boat and slacken-off the cutter then make the journey facing the right way. Many thanks
 
AntarcticPilot said:
I took have a Moody 31 mk II, and would strongly emphasize that the least inattention will result in the tiller whipping over hard. Also, you will have little steering authority; you can only make very gentle turns, and if you get unfortunate combinations of wind and prop-wash, you may be unable to turn in some directions at all.

I have reversed for a 100m or so when I've been unable to turn in the right direction out of my berth, but it's slow and hard work. I had to restrict speed through the water to a knot or so; faster than that and it be becomes very difficult to steer without losing control of the rudder.
Click to expand...
I have also reversed for a hundred yards or so on occasion. It is not hard if done properly, which for tiller craft means standing astride the tiller and steering with one’s legs. I believe that facing aft is potentially hazardous and it is much better, and easier, to face forwards, ie towards the bow, twisting the body to be looking both fore and aft. Done slowly it shouldn’t be risking damage, but whether I would care to do it for two miles is an entirely different matter. Assuming a generous speed of two knots you are talking about an hour hoping that all around are not falling around laughing at you.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top