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Steve101
36 Posts |
 Posted - 29 Sep 2013 : 19:44:19
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Hi guys n girls
So we are new to boating and we bought 'blue spirit' a 23 ft norman back in mid July.
I've spent the last few weeks getting a new canopy and tarting her up ready for some fun.
We had the 10 hp out board fully serviced at Beeston marina.
So today we took her out for a run on the Trent and Mersey for a maiden voyage.
The stearing was......let's say interesting. I drive trucks for a living and consider my self a good driver but we zig zagged our way all the way there and back.
Is this normal? I tried not over compensating I tried not moving the wheel hardly at all but nope zig zags.
Secondly
The throttle/gear change was really notchy not smooth at all, is this normal? It's a 1 leaver duel throttle/ gear change and it was sometimes 2 hands to move it even though I had oiled the cables and workings and checked they were sliding free.
Sorry bout all the questions at once but is took the edge off what would have been a perfect day for us and the wife is only just coming to terms with 'boating' as it is lol |
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cliveshep
Thailand
1324 Posts |
Posted - 29 Sep 2013 : 20:53:15
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Helming is a gradually acquired art even if the boat is set up properly and nicely balanced which it doesn't sound as though yours is.
A bag or two of sand right up the bow might assist you, and the old adage "steer small". Your boat is not like your truck, on your truck you turn the wheel and the road wheels turn and so does your truck, whereas your boat will pivot about it's centre of gravity. That could be anything from a third of it's length in from the stern to half or more.
Secondly it takes time for helm movements to translate into course variation. There are two faults most new helmsmen (or woman) have, steering too violently and over-correcting too late.
Result - a wake like a packet of noodles - all screwed up and zig-zags.
Put a little helm on and watch the horizon against the bow or the pulpit, when you get to within a few seconds of being on course "meet the swing" or "meet her" - stopping the swing by briefly steering the opposite way before putting the helm midships again. you'll see it will take a few seconds for your vessel to respond. So steer before you need to and stop the swing before you need to and you and your ship will soon be working in harmony.
Other factors affect your course as well, the Norman is light, it compensates be having a deep-vee hull that helps it's grip on the water, but it is still light. So current eddies, moving bodies on board, the wind, all affect trim and steering.
The cost of boating is insignificant compared to costs of a young wife and two teenage kids! |
Edited by - cliveshep on 29 Sep 2013 20:53:41 |
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stratford4528
United Kingdom
414 Posts |
Posted - 29 Sep 2013 : 21:03:35
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| Have you got a rudder on the outboard |
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Steve101
36 Posts |
Posted - 29 Sep 2013 : 21:27:43
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Hi Clive
After reading a few things on this site it seems the problem might be that myself,my wife and our 3 teenagers were all sat In the cockpit and there is NO ballest up front so that Deffo wouldn't have helped.
I do understand its an art in itself un like driving but I also read up and did mostly what you suggested but it still wandered everywhere lol
I also think a rudder on the outboard wouldn't hurt.
So that's the next thing on the list with a bit of ballast.
Any ideas on the throttle? |
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adi-n-chez
United Kingdom
1980 Posts |
Posted - 29 Sep 2013 : 21:44:13
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No Ballast in my 22 & no rudder either !
Nor did The Wheeldons spend countless hrs designing the range to be loaded with Sand !
Before you turn your Norman into a Trent Gravel Barge - Have a few trips out , you may find things improve with practice.
Dads old 23 was loaded with silver sand at the bow & had the biggest rudder I had ever seen - It steered like a pig ! Removed the sand & it was ok !
Ballast is my favorite Bugbear incase you havent noticed !
Adi
Sewer Tubes ? I'd rather have a D**ncr*ft (Only Kidding) |
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Peter Walker
United Kingdom
58 Posts |
Posted - 29 Sep 2013 : 22:13:41
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My throttle was awful when I got my boat. After a while I shelled out for a new throttle cable but I also re-mounted the throttle control. (Epoxied a block of thick ply to the cockpit wall behind the lining so that the controls had something solid to mount to and not just the lightweight cockpit lining). I also renewed the transom fitment so that the other end of the cable didn't waggle about. Taken together I now have a system that is considerably better.
I fitted a rudder but I got rid of all the ballast in my boat after a while.
Enjoy the boat
Norman 22 on the river Avon, Warwickshire |
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Steve T
United Kingdom
88 Posts |
Posted - 29 Sep 2013 : 22:19:38
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Hi Steve101
I've had my 23 for 2 seasons now and was pretty wobbly for quite a few weeks.
I have resisted the ballast and the rudder safe, and stuck with learning her helm.
Modesty forbids me to say too much, but I'm happy I stuck with it as designed, she still will take violent swings in good crossbeam breezes, especially with the canopy up in the Winter, but I feel my helmsmanship (and ego) have grown considerably.
For what its worth, I second the "stick with it" school of thought - you will be far more confident on the helm eventually.
Good luck
Steve |
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stratford4528
United Kingdom
414 Posts |
Posted - 29 Sep 2013 : 22:41:44
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| Another advantage a rudder has When you shut the power down you still have control.Narrow boats don,t have any problem with steering when they shut the power off because they have a large rudder. I am designing and fitting twin rudders to my 32 when it eventually goes on the water. |
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Steve101
36 Posts |
Posted - 05 Oct 2013 : 20:45:05
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Well I made a rudder that fits to the captivating plate about 1 foot square.
It works like a dream it's like driving a different boat.
I can even set it on a straight course and put the kettle on go back and I'm still going straight.......amazing!
So I would recommend it to anyone.
I went to Beeston marina today (without crashing once lol) and had a new throttle cable fitted by Eddie in about half an hour and now the throttle and gear change is silky smooth.
It NOW is a pleasure craft lol
Thanks to everyone for there help
Pictures going up tommorow. |
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Topic |
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Steering problems
