New boat advice

[MickJ]

I've been looking at some seaworthy boats for the last couple of months to replace my outboard powered Shetland river boat. I want to explore the coast from WestWick marina on the Crouch in Essex.

I think I've settled on a 25ft diesel powered Sealine Senator, and will make an offer this weekend. Does anyone have any experience of this kind of boat in a windy tidal marina? My current boat gets blown around like a leaf on a pond and it is very disconcerting at times. I have to keep the power on until the last second or else the stern will blow or get carried off (with the canopy on, the boat literally sails).

The big duo props on the Sealine look like my dead slow speed is going to be increased considerably. How do these boats handle in close quarters? Will I be able to coast in neutral with a moderate beam breeze without ending up facing in the opposite direction? Do you get any prop-walk with counter-rotating props when moving astern?

Any advice greatly received...

Thanks.

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[duncan]

last bit first - answer no
main bit - answer yes - boat has very high topsides and no keel so it will blow all over the place but this is all relative most boats do.
Note you also have nice big flat sides and lots of storage so you can put nice big fenders out all down the side, and a high up sheltered cockpit - can't have it all!

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[DavidJ]

I used to have a Sealine 240 which will be reasonably similar. Your handling in a cross wind will only improve marginally so all the skills that you have developed with your Shetland will still be required. All I can suggest is to make sure all your covers are down to reduce the 'sail' effect.
There is no 'walking' with a duo prop and you still will be able to go slow but you can always take it in and out of gear to make it even slower.
The best way I've found to aim these boat's is to turn the wheel in neutral and give a prod of power, this seems to be far more effective than trying to drive it into a position.
Maybe at some stage invest in a bow thruster, this will make you look instantly like an expert.
David

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[MickJ]

Does the outdrive have much of a rudder effect in neutral?

How long does it take to get to the stage when you arent nervous if the wind/tide is playing against you? I've only been boating a year or so, I've learnt loads, but I still get nervous moving around in the marina. Some guys look as if its as easy as parking a car!

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[Gtdog]

The outdrive will have very little effect as a rudder in neutral, unless the boat is realy tramping along. The vessel will respond best to short periods in gear with the helm turned hard over to maintain control at low speeds.
It just takes time and patence to master the berthing of a boat, even with a bowthruster. (Although it will make a substancial difference)

All the best,
Dog

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[hlb]

Try to see the wind and tide as friends. There to help you in your time of need. Now like all children you will have to do as you are told. At the moment you are having tantrums because you can not have all your own way. Think of them as parents. Now which is the stronger. Wind or tide. Just like parents, each parent will be more powerfull depending on circumstance. So do what the powerfull one is telling you at that time. Now in a perfect world. You could moor where ever daddy wind or mummy tide suggested. But it's a hard world out there and not always possible. So have to use stealth.
When ariving at marina and before even getting near to boat. Take a look around you. Become aware of what the wind and tide are doing. Watch which way boats are pulling on there ropes. Are they being pushed onto the pontoon or off. Now by the time youve got onto your boat and ready to set off. You should have a fair idea of what is going to happen. Lets say the wind is pushing you off the pontoon. Well thats helpfull, so dont go pushing like hell, or you will be going sideways twice as fast. Just back out and let the wind take you gently away from the pontoon. Now if the wind is holding you to the pontoon. This is helpfull as well. You can take all the ropes off without the boat moving. Nice to have a big fender near the bow now. Turn the wheel hard towards the pontoon. Give quick blip forwards. Turn the wheel quickly and put in reverse. Your arse end will now have come away from the pontoon. The bow resting against the BIG fender. You can now glide gracefully away.Try to keep your arse end into the wind as much as possible. Tide if stronger. If not the arse in wind, then bows. Dont be frightened of using ropes to manuver, or hands if a small boat. If wind is blowing off pontoon. Try to drive straight into it. Have some one on the bow to snare a cleat. Or jump off if not to high. Then using the rope as a spring turn full lock and go gently forwards. (might have to back off a bit first) Your back end will come in. Bows cant escape. You will have to find the right length of snare to suit your boat. Practice.

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Haydn

 

[kazbaz2]

you make it sound so easy, were still learning after moving from sealime 218 to sealine 210 with twin engine its a bit easier but must be small finger berth!

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[kazbaz2]

you make it sound so easy, were still learning after moving from sealime 218 to sealine 310 with twin engine its a bit easier but must be small finger berth!

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