Boat handling opinions (on me...not the boat!)

[keith c]

My GB 36 single/no BT always backed to starboard no matter which position the wheel was in. Solution, place wheel hard to starboard and never touch it again. Start backing. Stern moved to starboard. To get stern to port shift briefly forward. If done correctly vessel will have little or no forward movement.

 

[jleonard]

Find some open space..... swing the rudder to around 30 degrees to port. Leave it in idle, dont touch the rudder .... watch the stern a bow..... You might be surprised.
If the stern swings to the left, you are not idling or edge the rudder to starboard just a little bit. Of course every thing is complicated by the wind and current. Practice.....

I guess that's the "rub". I never had enough space, it's normally maybe 2 boat lengths or less.
Regardless, I learned to use the prop walk effectively.
The boat only does one thing in reverse, instead of trying to fight it, learn to use it to your advantage.
Same with the wind and or current.

 

[OldDan1943]

I guess that's the "rub". I never had enough space, it's normally maybe 2 boat lengths or less.
Regardless, I learned to use the prop walk effectively.
The boat only does one thing in reverse, instead of trying to fight it, learn to use it to your advantage.
Same with the wind and or current.

I like to dock bow in so folks dont look into my saloon. Once I learned the secret of backing straight with a single engine, the world is my oyster. And yes, and then there is 'back and fill' too.
Thrusters are meant for fine adjustment.

 

[jleonard]

Oh and one more "tip" that I use always no matter if I'm backing or bowing into a slip.
I ALWAYS stop my forward motion before starting to maneuver.
Reverse while coming to a stop while putting the rudder where you want it.
Then proceed from a standstill with a slight burst of power to get the turn started.

 

[OldDan1943]

Thank you all for the replies!

I will let you know how it goes next week. Excited and a bit nervous.

Thanks!

Words has it, all captains get nervous when docking. The more experience, the less degree of nervousness. Try not to show it. SMIRK

 

[Cartouche]

Going to outfit and shakedown cruise a new to us 2001 Mainship 390.

2001 Mainship 390
- Single Yanmar 300
- Bow thruster
- Articulated rudder
- Lots of fenders (Ha!)

I'm coming from a 2006 Monterey 302 cruiser that had twin Bravo III's. I was an excellent pilot of that boat. My home slip was in what my marina neighbors called "the impossible spot", but with practice it was easy for me. I know this boat will be much different.

I have some fixit projects to do, but will be taking the boat out where it is now locally for 2-3 days (protected lake/bay on Lake MI) before a voyage from Michigan to Wisconsin. I do have a delivery captain for that drive home. He's a teacher too.

Anyway, what do you all think my biggest challenges will be?

I've watched a lot of videos on all this stuff, but I'm a hands-on learner. Also, most of these videos are people aiming the camera at their head and talking too much. Once I'm not a fool, maybe I'll make some non-sucky videos on back and fill and all the other techniques. Can you imagine a video showing the boat, rudder position, throttle and shifter...and not some guy's head with his Yanni music playing in the background? I can!!

I'm looking for areas to really think about, and maybe problems you had coming into a similar boat. Things you wish someone had told you.

Thanks!

MN

I have a friend who has an articulating rudder on a 390 and he loves it, he can move the stern wherever he wants at very slow speeds, I took the stern thruster approach, as to have an articulated rudder built was going to be a challenge. the boats track very well, but without aid in the stern are very hard to handle if the wind is not working in your favor, Rudder hard over and hard reverse do nothing as the prop wash wins every time. I have had friends who have twin gassers and cant understand why the stern will not move over until they try it themselves.

 

[trawlercap]

A boat is like a horse. They have there own personalities and will respond differently. High house, low draft is common here I think. It will be effected by wind more than this 58' and 61 tons with 6.5 draft, just different animals.
I drove a 123' single no thrusters for 28 years all seasons in AK, I only knew of one boat with thrusters.
I always wear sunglasses when maneuvering (in daylight) never let them see you sweat..you're only as good as your last docking..

 

[Seevee]

I have a friend who has an articulating rudder on a 390 and he loves it, he can move the stern wherever he wants at very slow speeds, I took the stern thruster approach, as to have an articulated rudder built was going to be a challenge. the boats track very well, but without aid in the stern are very hard to handle if the wind is not working in your favor, Rudder hard over and hard reverse do nothing as the prop wash wins every time. I have had friends who have twin gassers and cant understand why the stern will not move over until they try it themselves.

Not necessarily.....yes, one can "steer" a Mainship in reverse using the rudder. I did it for three years with a MS400. I needed to backup about 200 feet to get out of my slip and to a spot where I could turn around. Going very slow, in and out of gear it will steer, especially out of gear, just coasting.

 

[rslifkin]

Not necessarily.....yes, one can "steer" a Mainship in reverse using the rudder. I did it for three years with a MS400. I needed to backup about 200 feet to get out of my slip and to a spot where I could turn around. Going very slow, in and out of gear it will steer, especially out of gear, just coasting.

Is the MS400 rudder bigger than the 390? I haven't seen a 400 out of the water, but there's a 390 on the hard at my marina and the rudder visually appears to be only slightly bigger than mine (except I have 2 of them). I'd definitely expect to need some speed for any kind of good response in reverse.

 

[Seevee]

Is the MS400 rudder bigger than the 390? I haven't seen a 400 out of the water, but there's a 390 on the hard at my marina and the rudder visually appears to be only slightly bigger than mine (except I have 2 of them). I'd definitely expect to need some speed for any kind of good response in reverse.

Don't know if the 390 and the 400 rudder are the same size, but would suspect so, or at least close. However, on the 400 it's really too small.


However, the OP has the articulating rudder, which is certainly more effective, and most likely bigger. Would bet he could steer in reverse, going slow and coasting.