how to handle a CD 36 in reverse
Moderator: Jim Walsh
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- Posts: 7
- Joined: Jan 10th, '08, 11:06
- Location: Cape Dory 36 and
Cape Dory typhoon
how to handle a CD 36 in reverse
sadly my new wife does not like to sail. My CD 36 is set. up to singlehand off shore. Unfortunately, I am having trouble in the marina docking and egressing by myself.
I have considered adding a bow thruster but really hate to do that. Any ideas out there for backing into a slip with tide and wind shorthanded. Thanks
I have considered adding a bow thruster but really hate to do that. Any ideas out there for backing into a slip with tide and wind shorthanded. Thanks
Windwalker111
Happiness is the best revenge
Happiness is the best revenge
- tjr818
- Posts: 1851
- Joined: Oct 13th, '07, 13:42
- Location: Previously owned 1980 CD 27 Slainte, Hull #185. NO.1257949
Re: how to handle a CD 36 in reverse
I find it far easier to pull in bow first and then back out when you want to go sailing.
Tim
Nonsuch 26 Ultra,
Previously, Sláinte a CD27
Nonsuch 26 Ultra,
Previously, Sláinte a CD27
Re: how to handle a CD 36 in reverse
to back in you need to have enough speed for the rudder to steer the boat. if you are backing the same direction as tidal flow then that might cause the boat to wander. cross currents can play havoc on a full keel. but it's possible .. i did it today. also be aware of any prop walk. my boat walks to port in reverse.
Re: how to handle a CD 36 in reverse
Yes, I would head straight going in and warp around a piling to reverse out and face in the right direction. -Jean
Jean - 1983 CD 33 "Grace" moored in
Padanaram Harbor
Massachusetts
Padanaram Harbor
Massachusetts
Re: how to handle a CD 36 in reverse
Get the book Maneuver and Dock Your Sailboat Under Power, then have a friend go out to just be there and practice. Full keels can be hard and sometimes you may have to dock somewhere else and wait for the conditions to get easier.
Chris Anderheggen
CD25 "Windsong"
Catalina 30 "Kestrel"
Catalina 387 " Parrot Cay"
Credo quia absurdum
CD25 "Windsong"
Catalina 30 "Kestrel"
Catalina 387 " Parrot Cay"
Credo quia absurdum
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- Location: S/V Far Reach: CD 36 #61 www.farreachvoayges.net www.farreachvoyages.com
Re: how to handle a CD 36 in reverse
As a general rule full keel boats do not steer backward under control. The truth is they can be nuanced backward under the right conditions. There is a lot of technique involved with handling a full keel boat under power in confined spaces and I agree the book is useful.
Right hand props pull the stern to port in reverse generally. Strong wind will force the bow away no matter what you do. Like others, I pull in bow first unless it's flat calm and minimal fore and aft current. Then, when it's calm I warp the boat around and back her in. You have an absolute responsibility not to hit someone else's boat. You have to keep your boat under control however you do it and warping lines are timeless techniques of good seamanship.
It will help you to have a slip that allows you to back out with the stern going to port and the exit to starboard. Find the right slip, read up and practice under calm conditions somewhere safe, short blasts of forward and reverse throttle using prop walk, good judgment, and you'll work it out.
I'm the last person to tell another sailor not to modify a sailboat but my perspective is only mod to improve sailing vice degrading sailing performance. A bow thruster will not only complicate your boat but will make her less capable under sail in anything but a fresh breeze.
Right hand props pull the stern to port in reverse generally. Strong wind will force the bow away no matter what you do. Like others, I pull in bow first unless it's flat calm and minimal fore and aft current. Then, when it's calm I warp the boat around and back her in. You have an absolute responsibility not to hit someone else's boat. You have to keep your boat under control however you do it and warping lines are timeless techniques of good seamanship.
It will help you to have a slip that allows you to back out with the stern going to port and the exit to starboard. Find the right slip, read up and practice under calm conditions somewhere safe, short blasts of forward and reverse throttle using prop walk, good judgment, and you'll work it out.
I'm the last person to tell another sailor not to modify a sailboat but my perspective is only mod to improve sailing vice degrading sailing performance. A bow thruster will not only complicate your boat but will make her less capable under sail in anything but a fresh breeze.
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- Location: CD28 Cruiser "Loon" Poorhouse Cove, ME
Re: how to handle a CD 36 in reverse
To piggy-back on what John said, I have a bow thruster on my CD28 Cruiser, which admittedly is an entirely different boat. Even with a bow thruster, I still head in. A bow thruster is not a miracle cure in reverse. Far from it. It's actually a distraction because in addition to paying attention to wind, current, and steering, you also need to have a free hand to operate the bow thruster. I'm not a great juggler and can only manage a few tasks simultaneously.
CDSOA Commodore - Member No. 725
"The more I expand the island of my knowledge, the more I expand the shoreline of my wonder"
Sir Isaac Newton
"The more I expand the island of my knowledge, the more I expand the shoreline of my wonder"
Sir Isaac Newton
Re: how to handle a CD 36 in reverse
plus one, pull in, push outtjr818 wrote:I find it far easier to pull in bow first and then back out when you want to go sailing.
Lower Chesapeake Bay, Sailing out of Carter's Creek
Danielle Elizabeth
CD30
Danielle Elizabeth
CD30
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Re: how to handle a CD 36 in reverse
Use 100' of floating waterski line. Pull in bow first. To exit, tie a mooring hitch to the aft cleat, wrap the line around a piling or smooth cleat on the dock, hold the line and play it out as you back. when clear of the dock, wrap it around the winch and continue backing. the bow will pivot out and you can stop, take in the line, and continue on.
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- Location: Cape Dory 33 "Rover" Hull #66
Re: how to handle a CD 36 in reverse
Trying to back a Cape Dory into a confined slip is a fool’s errand. Go in bow first and back out. How you back out will change with the wind, the current, and the geometry of your slip. Your best assumption is that the bow will blow off downwind, and your job is to figure how to deal with that, and use it to your advantage. Note also that because of the prop walk it is much easier to turn the boat clockwise than counterclockwise. Short bursts of high power will allow you to turn the boat without generating too much forward or backward speed.
Whenever we come into a marina our first question, before tying up, is “How are we going to get out of here?” We will often change our plan so as to avoid having to back out of a tight spot.
Whenever we come into a marina our first question, before tying up, is “How are we going to get out of here?” We will often change our plan so as to avoid having to back out of a tight spot.
Tom and Jean Keevil
CD33 Rover
Ashland OR and Ladysmith, BC
CD33 Rover
Ashland OR and Ladysmith, BC