Using outboard....

[mike_k]

I'll probably find this out by trial and error eventually but some advice would be useful.
I've never sailed a yacht with an outboard, so when using it, is it better/easier to use either the outboard only for turning and manouvering (tiller straight) or the tiller only (keeping the outboard straight), or both ? It looks a little tricky to handle both at the same time !
The outboard is on a bracket out the back and behind the rudder. Boat is 23ft and the outboard 8hp if it makes any difference.

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[Gezzer]

I have an outboard fitted to a bracket as a backup to my ageing inboard petter, and during trials I found it far easier to keep the outboard locked in a fore / aft postion and steer nomally using the tiller.
Of course it can also depend on the Keel / rudder combination, mine is a fin and skeg hung rudder, (rudder is on the large side and has plenty of bite at low speeds,
I do lose a little steerage due to the lack of prop wash against the rudder but this is easily compensated for.
Hope this helps.



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[snowleopard]

agreed

lock the engine, turn on the rudder.

you can turn the engine for close quarters/berthing as it will give you steerage when stopped which the rudder can't but not a good idea to be leaning over the stern to steer.

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[neil_s]

For normal motoring, keep the engine fore and aft and steer with the tiller. In confined spaces, though, you can do some really fancy manouvering by putting the engine's tiller over, too. My bilge keeler will turn in her own length like this. Makes getting into marina berths a doddle!

Cheers! neil

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[extravert]

Especially effective in reverse.

<hr width=100% size=1>Adventures of the <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.xrayted.fsnet.co.uk>Teddy Bear Boat</A>

 

[kingfisher]

Normal cruising: lock engine, and use only tiller.

Close quarter manoeuvring: if the engine is starboard of the helm.
Left hand on the helm, and with the right hand operate the gear lever and the turn of the engine. Do not us the throttle.Anyway, your speed should be slow enough to do all your manouevre in tick-over. You'll easily overcompensate when you use the throttle, and it ads another task to an overburdened brain.

If you have a space to starboard alongside just large enough for the boat, drive her in, nose-first. Put the helm to starboard, and the engine to port and in reverse. The engine will "suck" you towards the berth.

<hr width=100% size=1>Group of people on the pontoon: skipper is the one with the toolbox.
http://sirocco31.tripod.com

 

[mike_k]

Hi everyone - thanks for the feedback. Just the information I needed !

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[MUS]

I once tried locking the rudder and steering with the outboard.

I soon realised my error when I put the o/b into neutral to slow down and completely lost the ability to steer! Tkankfully mooring bouys don't dent your boat like pontoons do!

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[Guest]

You have a good manoeuvring potential ......

Normally have the outboard locked fore and aft, or a little bit offset to counter the slight offcentre thrust. BUT when you need to turn on a sixpence or whatever ...... then use the outboard as well ..... I used to be able to 'park' my 23ft Snapdragon in 25ft gaps literally !!!!

When using the outboard to turn ..... have a length of line to 'lock' the tiller bar amidships, as when you are doing this you will be at slow speed with little use for the rudder ... and it stops it bashing your knee-caps !!!



<hr width=100% size=1>Nigel ...
Bilge Keelers get up further ! I only came - cos they said there was FREE Guinness !