Single Engine Boat Handling Basics!

[powerskipper]

LOL

In as gentle and non-confrontational and non-personal way as possible I would venture to suggest that running a power boat in open seas is pretty elementary stuff. You really don't need much in the way of tuition for that- although I'm sure all contributions to the burgeoning "tuition industry" will be gratefully received.

The tough bit - with a single-prop single-outdrive boat - is close-quarters manouevering in the marina.

Tinkicker's advice here is very good - take it slow and correct early (although sometimes, especially with cross-winds, there's just no room to go ahead to re-align the boat). He and others have made the point here that, in reverse, the bow tends to want to catch up with the stern.When they go astern these boats (some are worse than others) tend to adopt a stance which is diagonal to the desired direction of travel. They do not travel in a straight line astern.

...Amazingly enough this phenomenon also applies when RYA qualified instructors are at the helm. Not even they can defeat the laws of physics. They too will go crooked - and they know it. That's why instructors will avoid taking the helm to put the client's own boat in his own difficult berth - they will leave it to the owner and just give verbal advice, making the owner think the fault is down his his own lack of experience, whereas in fact it isn't his fault at all - it's the way these boats always move going astern.

The instructors on this thread suggest the answer is more lessons - but then they would say that, wouldn't they?

I never said they did go in a strait line backwards,
but you play with the boat to see what you can and can't do.
then you know what you need to do to get her to do what you want.


I don't give a monkeys uncle if they use an instructor or an experienced friend as long as they get to be happy with their boat .

Instructors are instructor because they can relay the information needed to get the results the owner needs or wants, not everyone can!!!!!


There are some fantastic boat handlers out there who could not tell you how they did it.


and why berth their boat when they have paid good money for you to be there and for them to do it.


Going fast in open water can scare the s**t out of people, I know it did me many years ago.

I have been on boats where the owners wife would not let him go more than 10 knots max as they were scared. Lack of Knowledge is normally the problem or as said already get the other half on the helm.


Boating is meant to be fun, we try to keep it that.

 

[IRC Kevin]

Can't help you with the leg/trim tab positions, as getting on the plane is not really that relevant on Windermere! However, with practice, the 2855 is fine in both forward and reverse into tight spaces, although I'd strongly recommend that you take the side camper canvas pieces down in anything more than about 6mph winds when you need to get back into the marina, unless you have a lot of room to play with. I've found that mine steers best at low speed with the leg dead level. Have to say that trim tab position without a gauge is not the easiest thing to judge either.

 

[MapisM]

running a power boat in open seas is pretty elementary stuff. You really don't need much in the way of tuition for that- although I'm sure all contributions to the burgeoning "tuition industry" will be gratefully received.

The tough bit - with a single-prop single-outdrive boat - is close-quarters manouevering in the marina.

C'mon, R U serious?
If no RYA instructor can change the laws of physics, surely you also can't!
Mind, I'm not an instructor, and have no connection at all with the "tuition industry".
But suggesting that running a mobo (or any boat, for that matter) in open seas is "pretty elementary stuff" is ridiculous.
A big mistake in the marina can hurt your wallet, but a big mistake at sea can take your soul.
As an example, just look at this accident, which popped to my mind because it involved a Bayliner - not that this means anything, of course. Maybe those poor guys had no trouble at all with close quarter handling, who knows?...

 

[AndieMac]

As an example, just look at this accident, which popped to my mind because it involved a Bayliner - not that this means anything, of course. Maybe those poor guys had no trouble at all with close quarter handling, who knows?...

A tragic event for sure, but the bit in the last paragraph about doubting the seaworthiness of the Bayliner because it wasn't built under the RCD was a bit curious.

The skipper was ejected from the cockpit, and the vessel was turned over while NUC in heavy seas.
Perhaps the plump cushions, teak cockpit and quality handles of the S24 would have averted this tragedy?

Unfortunately this kind of event is all too common in this country, when the inexperienced recreational boater is overturned on a coastal barway.

 

[MapisM]

A tragic event for sure, but the bit in the last paragraph about doubting the seaworthiness of the Bayliner because it wasn't built under the RCD was a bit curious.

I couldn't agree more AM. Just look at my comment in the thread where we debated this accident at that time...
In fact, I did say that the boat brand doesn't mean anything.

 

[AndieMac]

I couldn't agree more AM. Just look at my comment in the thread where we debated this accident at that time...
In fact, I did say that the boat brand doesn't mean anything.

During the old thread, on several occasions, reference was made to not heeding the warnings given.
People can become very determined to go boating regardless, after planning a holiday to the seaside. All the preparation involved, friends and family all gathered, waiting to use the new toy.

An instance a few years ago locally saw a group of 5 men in an 18' runabout heading off for a days fishing. They were warned at the fuel station, the boat ramp/slipway and by locals yelling from the shore as they motored up the narrow channel, not to attempt the treacherous barway.
The third wave (100 metres from the breakwater) picked the bow up vertically and turned it over, drowning all the occupants.