| Author |
 Topic  |
|
|
Marmag
United Kingdom
47 Posts |
 Posted - 11 Apr 2016 : 15:04:48
|
I'm new to boating went out for first time boat was all over the place I finished up in a state of panic any one any tips
Mark pugh |
|
|
Deano
United Kingdom
1843 Posts |
Posted - 11 Apr 2016 : 15:47:44
|
You are not alone.... it can take a bit of getting used to .... steer slower... take your time....
There are many posts on here, some suggest a bit of weight up front... perhaps a bag of gravel under the front bunk..... (don't use sand)
Dean - Boating on the Great Ouse.
Freeman 32 "Liberty"
See the photos http://www.flickr.com/photos/54758027@N00/ |
 |
|
|
stratford4528
United Kingdom
414 Posts |
Posted - 11 Apr 2016 : 19:09:31
|
| If your using an outboard fit it with a rudder |
|
|
|
jud
United Kingdom
113 Posts |
Posted - 11 Apr 2016 : 20:28:17
|
I fitted a rudder to my outboard and it makes a BIG difference at low speed canal cruising. It's easy enough to make one, or buy "add-a-rudder", £41.00 off eBay.
Jud.
P.S. CRT have recently dredged muck with the equivalent weight of 13,000 hippo's off the bottom of our Staffs and Worcs and what a difference that's made. 5-6 mph no problem now. .
I meant if I was allowed to!
|
Edited by - jud on 11 Apr 2016 20:31:57 |
|
|
|
df
United Kingdom
5994 Posts |
Posted - 11 Apr 2016 : 21:50:42
|
You will get used to it with a bit of practise, boat steering isn't instant like a car and it keeps steering for a bit when you straighten the wheel, steering is far more effective with power on and non existant with power off, kids usually pick it up quicker as never driven a car.
with outboard or outdrive steering is minimal in reverse, with fixed shaft and rudder steering is non existant in reverse, just to add a bit of extra interest you get prop kick in reverse too where the bottom of the prop is in denser water than the top so you get a sideways motion just by going in reverse, which way depends on the rotation of the prop, most outboards will kick to starboard having a RH prop, shaft and outdrive can be either handed prop.
I've been boating for 16 years now and having to learn again as gone from outdrives to twin shafts.
NBAS--The communal colostomy bag of the boating community.
Visit leomagill.co.uk |
|
|
|
cliveshep
Thailand
1324 Posts |
Posted - 12 Apr 2016 : 02:43:48
|
Two terms you need to learn plus their application as Dave says.
"Steer small" - make little helm corrections and WAIT to see what happens after a few seconds.
"Meet her" - is reversing the last helm adjustment to stop the swing but don't over do it, you are "meeting" the swing.
Lots of practice - watch how currents and wind can also affect your course, especially at slow speeds.
Set up what you want to achieve well in advance giving thought to wind and current.
You can reverse any boat, single screw or twin, inboard or outboard, like a professional. Practice it. Gather sternway, then putting the helm over to push the stern in the direction you want it to go briefly go ahead with a quick burst, not enough to take off sternway, then midships helm and continue going astern.
There is a paddle effect as Dave says where the blade deepest in the water pushes the stern in the opposite direction to the rotation of the prop, use this to your advantage in manouvring or kicking the stern in when coming alongside. It is more noticable in reverse because outboard propellors are less efficient in reverse but it is there in ahead too.
Most Normans and similar boats have little grip on the water as they are light and float high. Ballasting them down to increase side drift resistance does help, not only in the bow but evenly. Even then, they are like a sail with a wind on the beam and you need to learn a few tricks to deal with that or be held alee (pushed onto a lee shore or against bank or wall.
One trick to get off is to use a spring, which is a rope from the foredeck cleat taken BACK to a bollard or ring and then back onto the cleat where your crew hold the bitter end with a couple of turns on.
They also hold a decent fender down over the bow while you go helm hard over as though steering into the bank and engine ahead gently until the boat rests on the fender pulling against the spring then increase power to roll the boat on the fender so the the stern moves out against wind or current.
At your command the bowman releases the spring whilst you reverse helm and go hard astern. Get it right and you'll have sea-room to manouver off the bank or wall.
In all things - practice practice practice.
Finally living the dream!
|
|
|
|
Landor
United Kingdom
46 Posts |
Posted - 12 Apr 2016 : 06:57:12
|
quote:
Originally posted by stratford4528
If your using an outboard fit it with a rudder
Is there a limit to the engine size that a rudder can be used on?
I'm putting a 30hp Evinrude on the back where there was once a 7.5 Honda, which had a rudder on.
|
|
|
|
cliveshep
Thailand
1324 Posts |
Posted - 12 Apr 2016 : 09:37:14
|
Too big for an Adda-rudder but with 30 hp poor reverse steering qualities are of less importance on a 20 0r 23 ft boat as you have a lot of clout on the back. It will steer ahead or astern with 30hp on a 20-23 no problem. Even a 32 will do as it's told on canals.
Don't fit a rudder as you won't need it.
Finally living the dream!
|
|
|
|
Landor
United Kingdom
46 Posts |
Posted - 12 Apr 2016 : 21:12:47
|
Thanks Clive
quote:
Originally posted by cliveshep
Too big for an Adda-rudder but with 30 hp poor reverse steering qualities are of less importance on a 20 0r 23 ft boat as you have a lot of clout on the back. It will steer ahead or astern with 30hp on a 20-23 no problem. Even a 32 will do as it's told on canals.
Don't fit a rudder as you won't need it.
Finally living the dream!
|
|
|
|
Landor
United Kingdom
46 Posts |
Posted - 12 Apr 2016 : 21:14:45
|
| I'm just about to fit a steering cable as the one on the boat when I bought it was completely seized. I'm hoping I'll be on Lake Windermere the next bank holiday, all being well. |
|
|
| |
Topic |
|
Can't steer
