Prop paddlewheel problem

[andy_wilson]

Neutralising paddlewheel problem

Apologies if either I appear to be teaching grandmother, or repeating previous advice.

My Fulmar has exaclty the same characteristics and a similar underwater set-up (18hp though).

When starting to reverse out of the berth arrange a slip from the port quarter to the pontoon. As you apply reverse, gently let out the slip, preventing sideways motion and only allowing reverse. Judicious feeding will enable sufficient sternway to develop to give steerage before releasing the slip (so you need to experiment with the length of slip required too).

Our previous marina berth was a dead end to starboard in reverse, so there was no alternative but succeed as described.

Set off with moderate revs to gain sternway, then reduce as the slip is released, so the prop and the flow over it are closely matched to minimise prop-walk.

When berthing or doing a three-point-turn, use it to your advantage (whenever I returned to the above berth it was a disadvantage, I just went in v. slowly and used minimum of astern to halt).

A bow thruster is no use at all.

Andy Wilson

 

[GilesC]

Re: Neutralising paddlewheel problem

Thanks for the advice, but it doesn't really help - my problems are not when starting out from the berth, but manouvering back (in reverse). So, its stopping between a set of piles, and reversing into the berth - when the paddlewheel takes me aay from the berth, and I'm not attached to anything to warp around. Most of the time I jsut tie up at the end of the piles, then warp in. The problem is, holding the boat against the piles can be a problem for my wife (at the bow) when the wind is against us - or when we've got oversized boats protruding either sie of us.

Anyway, I've been lured into buying a feathering 3 blade prop now, so here's hoping!

 

[peterb]

Re: Neutralising paddlewheel problem

I'm intrigued by your description. I had assumed that your berth was of the finger type, but this description makes it sound more like the Dutch/Baltic box mooring; two piles that you pass between and secure the bow to before securing the stern to a transverse pontoon. Am I right?

 

[FlyingSpud]

Re: Neutralising paddlewheel problem

Is this Gillingham marina? it sounds like it. Two Approaches, in both cases assuming you kick to starboard when going astern (reverse it all if not)

(a) Pass your berth on the starboard side. When you are past it go into reverse quite hard, the stern will kick towards the berth effectively lining up the boat. As she begins to move backwards face backwards and use the tiller effectively ‘pointing’ it where you want to go. Aim to take the starboard quarter (ie the back right hand corner) of the boat to the pile that will be off the starboard bow. Keep the speed up. Into the bay and a burst forward to stop yourself. All it needs is practice to get the point when you put her in reverse

(b) Pass the berth and run a way past then turn hard to Starboard, at the same time put the engine hard astern. Given the front is trying to go to starboard and so is the stern the boat stops in a straight line and then starts to move backwards. Back up and then again use the tiller as a pointing device. Again concentrate on taking the rear Starboard quarter almost up to what will be the Starboard bow post.

Don’t know if any of this makes sense.