proipellers

[James B. Moran]

Backing is a problem. Would a feathering prop, with its more efficient backing, be an answer or at least a help? I have a Cape Dory 36.



jbm117@aol.com

[Lyn Heiges]

Backing is a problem. Would a feathering prop, with its more efficient backing, be an answer or at least a help? I have a Cape Dory 36.

James,

Sailboats don't back well unless you have an "outboard kicker" and can also use the sailboat's rudder!

Cape Dory sailboats are worse than many because of the full-keel design! I have no experience with feathering props, but I doubt there will be any great improvement as to my knowledge, the feathering props have 90-degree limits on adjustment and you could not really get them to have the ultimate "bite" into the water. The basic CD hull design is still going to be a hinderence too. Even the Titanic didn't have great success in reverse!

If you find an accurate solution, please post it as I imagine every reader of the CCDOA with the possible exception of Typhoons, CD25s, and CD26s would LOVE to know the answer!

Best Wishes!

Lyn Heiges
CD28 MOON CHILD



lheiges@compuserve.com

[Ed Haley]

The only reason Cape Dory put reverse gear in their sailboats is to help you slow down! (Hahaha!) It's tough to back up a CD under power. Especially with two-bladed props such as I have on my 28. Some have said that a three-bladed prop is better but I have no experience with three-bladed props. I have read on this message board or elsewhere that if you, at first, gun the engine while in reverse for a short spurt and then bring the rpms down to normal while backing she'll do a better intended track. I have tried it and it does help. The faster the water moves past the rudder the better the steerage, I guess.



eghaley@dreamscape.com

[Bill]

Backing is a problem. Would a feathering prop, with its more efficient backing, be an answer or at least a help? I have a Cape Dory 36.

James,

Sailboats don't back well unless you have an "outboard kicker" and can also use the sailboat's rudder!

Cape Dory sailboats are worse than many because of the full-keel design! I have no experience with feathering props, but I doubt there will be any great improvement as to my knowledge, the feathering props have 90-degree limits on adjustment and you could not really get them to have the ultimate "bite" into the water. The basic CD hull design is still going to be a hinderence too. Even the Titanic didn't have great success in reverse!

If you find an accurate solution, please post it as I imagine every reader of the CCDOA with the possible exception of Typhoons, CD25s, and CD26s would LOVE to know the answer!

Best Wishes!

Lyn Heiges
CD28 MOON CHILD

I have owned a Pearson Ariel, inboard for the last 9 years which I can parallel park when required. The secret to backing in reverse is to start in forward to get the stern swinging in the direction you wish it to go, then reversing the to rudder hard over with the tiller opposite the direction you wish the stern to go and back down hard. Once you have stern way on you can reverse the rudder to hard over the opposite way and the boat will turn its stern in the direction AWAY FROM THE TILLER DIRECTION. ie, tiller to port, boat will back to starboard. You must use power to get the rudder to work. Slow and easy will not do it. You cannot start in reverse. You must start the turning in forward. It does not have to move far. 5 feet in the right direction will be enough to start the turn. The Pearson is a full keel, attached rudder Alberg design that pre dates the Cape Dorys.
Bill Sandifer



wsandifer@cdicorp.com

[Joe]

Backing any full-keeled boat under power, including the Cape Dory, can be a problem, worsened by the clockwise or counter-clockwise rotation of the prop. One way to ease the problem: if backing down a short distance, put the engine in reverse, pour on throttle and then immediately put the engine in neutral, stopping the prop. This way, the motion of the boat and not the prop rotation will be the main factor determining the direction the boat will go in reverse. This can be repeated for longer moves backing down. It is the water flow past the rudder, created by the prop, that guides a boat's direction, and in reverse this is lost. Joe Brown, CD28 "Caprice," Rockport, Maine

Backing is a problem. Would a feathering prop, with its more efficient backing, be an answer or at least a help? I have a Cape Dory 36.

joebrown@mijnt.net

[Joe]

Backing any full-keeled boat under power, including the Cape Dory, can be a problem, worsened by the clockwise or counter-clockwise rotation of the prop. One way to ease the problem: if backing down a short distance, put the engine in reverse, pour on throttle and then immediately put the engine in neutral, stopping the prop. This way, the motion of the boat and not the prop rotation will be the main factor determining the direction the boat will go in reverse. This can be repeated for longer moves backing down. It is the water flow past the rudder, created by the prop, that guides a boat's direction, and in reverse this is lost. Joe Brown, CD28 "Caprice," Rockport, Maine

Backing is a problem. Would a feathering prop, with its more efficient backing, be an answer or at least a help? I have a Cape Dory 36.

joebrown@mijnt.net

[Lyn Heiges]

Backing is a problem. Would a feathering prop, with its more efficient backing, be an answer or at least a help? I have a Cape Dory 36.

James,

Sailboats don't back well unless you have an "outboard kicker" and can also use the sailboat's rudder!

Cape Dory sailboats are worse than many because of the full-keel design! I have no experience with feathering props, but I doubt there will be any great improvement as to my knowledge, the feathering props have 90-degree limits on adjustment and you could not really get them to have the ultimate "bite" into the water. The basic CD hull design is still going to be a hinderence too. Even the Titanic didn't have great success in reverse!

If you find an accurate solution, please post it as I imagine every reader of the CCDOA with the possible exception of Typhoons, CD25s, and CD26s would LOVE to know the answer!

Best Wishes!

Lyn Heiges
CD28 MOON CHILD

I have owned a Pearson Ariel, inboard for the last 9 years which I can parallel park when required. The secret to backing in reverse is to start in forward to get the stern swinging in the direction you wish it to go, then reversing the to rudder hard over with the tiller opposite the direction you wish the stern to go and back down hard. Once you have stern way on you can reverse the rudder to hard over the opposite way and the boat will turn its stern in the direction AWAY FROM THE TILLER DIRECTION. ie, tiller to port, boat will back to starboard. You must use power to get the rudder to work. Slow and easy will not do it. You cannot start in reverse. You must start the turning in forward. It does not have to move far. 5 feet in the right direction will be enough to start the turn. The Pearson is a full keel, attached rudder Alberg design that pre dates the Cape Dorys.
Bill Sandifer

Bill,

I know the Pearson and it is a very wonderful boat!! Thanks for your very valuable contribution. I will have to try that! One of the things we try to teach students in the United States Power Squadrons "Boat Smart" and "Boating" courses is just what you outline and the fact that the stern is what moves. For any readers who think USPS is just "stink-pots", they should know our squadron is officially Boca Ciega Sail and Power Squadron, Inc.

Lyn Heiges, AP



lheiges@compuserve.com

[Matt Cawthorne]

James,
I suspect that you will have problems finding a feathering prop that will fit in the aperature of a CD-36. Remember it has to be able to have clearance when the rudder is turned. Feathering props are nice to have but are several thousand dollars. Is it really worth all that extra money for a marginal improvement in backing? My CD-36 has a fixed 3 bladed 15RH12 and I am happy with it.

In a cross wind the problems with backing a CD-36 have more to do with the underbody shape and windage than propeller. The bow will always want to go down wind. Use that to your advantage whenever possible.

To turn in cramped quarters whenever possible I keep forward speed until the nose is through the eye of the wind and then back down hard and let the wind blow the bow off. That way you can let the boat turn on its axis.

I almost never back into the slip.

Prepare the lines that will be needed to keep the boat from blowing off ahead of time.

I learned how to use spring lines effectively for docking from a tugboat captian while doing a delivery to Puerto Rico. It is very handy.

Always try to bring a full keel boat to the dock (or mooring) into the current and into the wind. Go down wind/current and turn around and come back if necessary.

Good luck,
Matt

Backing is a problem. Would a feathering prop, with its more efficient backing, be an answer or at least a help? I have a Cape Dory 36.

mcawthor@bellatlantic.net