Steering a yacht under outboard power.

[tonygibbs]

I'm new to yachting and find that the turning circle of my yacht is pretty poor when using the outboard and steering with the rudder. On Saturday I watched some yachts turn as if they were on a pivot, so what's the best method? Should I be keeping the revs low while turning the rudder slightly? I'm thinking that I am too used to my old 18 foot open boat, steering with the outboard by turning the engine as far as it goes then throttle to turn. I found turning the rudder full turn achieved nothing on the yacht.

 

[VicS]

I'm new to yachting and find that the turning circle of my yacht is pretty poor when using the outboard and steering with the rudder. On Saturday I watched some yachts turn as if they were on a pivot, so what's the best method? Should I be keeping the revs low while turning the rudder slightly? I'm thinking that I am too used to my old 18 foot open boat, steering with the outboard by turning the engine as far as it goes then throttle to turn. I found turning the rudder full turn achieved nothing on the yacht.

You dont say if the outboard is centrally mounted ( behind the rudder) or to one side of a transom hung rudder.

If the former then you simply have to get the boat moving fast enough for the rudder to be effective but with no prop wash off the prop tight turns will not be possible and certainly no turning on the spot

If to one side of a transom hung rudder then you can utilise the thrust of the outboard to help the turn one way, ie to starboard if mounted to port, but turning the other way is more difficult and tight turns not possible as the thrust will be acting against you.
It is then necessary to get the boat moving fast enough for the rudder to be effective, then throttle right back while you execute the turn.
Always turn away from the engine whenever possible

Never will you be able to manoeuvre as you can with a rudder behind the prop but go practise and get the hang of the above.

 

[srp]

Depending on the layout of the rudder, tiller and outboard, it might be possible to link the two so the outboard turns when you move the tiller.

 

[onesea]

Both one or other. Trick is go out and play see what works on your boat.

Very few hard and fast rules when it comes to boats

 

[Elessar]

I'm new to yachting and find that the turning circle of my yacht is pretty poor when using the outboard and steering with the rudder. On Saturday I watched some yachts turn as if they were on a pivot, so what's the best method? Should I be keeping the revs low while turning the rudder slightly? I'm thinking that I am too used to my old 18 foot open boat, steering with the outboard by turning the engine as far as it goes then throttle to turn. I found turning the rudder full turn achieved nothing on the yacht.

You describe well how to best use an outboard. Can you get to the outboard to turn it? If so you have your answer.
If not, and the outboard is aft of the rudder, you have to get way on for the rudder to be effective. This makes for a tricky boat.
If the outboard is in a well forward of, and inline with the rudder, then move the rudder in the desired direction and give short bursts of full throttle on the outboard. This will give some wash over the rudder to effect the turn, without getting too much way on.
And onesea is right......

 

[tonygibbs]

You dont say if the outboard is centrally mounted ( behind the rudder) or to one side of a transom hung rudder.

If the former then you simply have to get the boat moving fast enough for the rudder to be effective but with no prop wash off the prop tight turns will not be possible and certainly no turning on the spot

If to one side of a transom hung rudder then you can utilise the thrust of the outboard to help the turn one way, ie to starboard if mounted to port, but turning the other way is more difficult and tight turns not possible as the thrust will be acting against you.
It is then necessary to get the boat moving fast enough for the rudder to be effective, then throttle right back while you execute the turn.
Always turn away from the engine whenever possible

Never will you be able to manoeuvre as you can with a rudder behind the prop but go practise and get the hang of the above.

Thanks for the replies. What you said VicS makes sense. My outboard is mounted on the port side of the rudder making turns to starboard relatively easy than it was the other way. A bit more practice is needed to get the hang of it.

 

[Rigger Mortice]

If you want some ideas, google "rudder to outboard steering link" and look at "images"
I'd do a link to the google page but don't know how to.
There are plenty of ideas to think about if you can't get used to your current arrangement.

 

[Lakesailor]

When you need a sharp turn just loosen the steering damper on the outboard and use the outboard to turn with. You can virtually ignore the rudder (or make the tiller off in the centre position).
I have used this method on three different sub-20 yachts.

Beware of trying to do it going astern. The rudder will act like a brake and probably twat the prop if it goes that way.

(Just noticed, you don't say what size or type of yacht it is)

 

[VicS]

(Just noticed, you don't say what size or type of yacht it is)

"my 24 foot Jeanneau." !

 

[Lakesailor]

Don't see that in this thread. I've done a "find text" and yours is the only mention. Where is it?

 

[VicS]

Don't see that in this thread. I've done a "find text" and yours is the only mention. Where is it?

http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?393390-West-coast-of-Scotland-marina-s&highlight=

 

[Lakesailor]

Sorry. I wasn't in psychic mode.

 

[simonfraser]

Your foils, rudder / keel / centre boards only work above a certain speed.
So if you are floating around a turn is more difficult.
Try one at speed in open water by turning the OB and rudder.

 

[Birdie]

I had the same set up on my 19 footer. Just held the rudder straight and twisting the engine with other hand gave very good slow speed handling, a quick burst of throttle with engine hard over would spin the boat no problem, forward or astern.

 

[William_H]

Well much depends on just how accessible the o/b to use it for steering. My little 21fter will turn on a dime if I use rudder and outboard. They are not connected (that would be ideal) but I can reach the o/b to turn it then turn the rudder as well. I have to be careful of contact transom mounted rudder to prop. Give it a go. As said beware going backwards as the rudder then is hugely overballanced and will snap over to full deflection quickly. good luck olewill

 

[VicS]

I had the same set up on my 19 footer. Just held the rudder straight and twisting the engine with other hand gave very good slow speed handling, a quick burst of throttle with engine hard over would spin the boat no problem, forward or astern.

Well much depends on just how accessible the o/b to use it for steering. My little 21fter will turn on a dime if I use rudder and outboard. They are not connected (that would be ideal) but I can reach the o/b to turn it then turn the rudder as well. I have to be careful of contact transom mounted rudder to prop. Give it a go. As said beware going backwards as the rudder then is hugely overballanced and will snap over to full deflection quickly. good luck olewill

I dont think the outboard is within easy reach on the boat in question. Pictures show remote control of throttle and gears.

I dont think linking the engine to the tiller is a practical proposition either