CD25D - backing

[Jim Elkins]

We have been considering purchasing a 25D and have been told by two owners that they are very difficult to back out of a slip. Even an owner with a three bladed prop, which should help, said that he had great difficulty. As we would be docking it at a slip, I would be interested in hearing some reactions as to the backing maneuverability of the CD25D.



jelkins@gwi.net

[Catherine Monaghan]

Many full keeled boats are adverse to backing up and some will only back in one direction -- port or starboard.

If your slip has a finger pier or dogleg, you may not have to worry about it. You can walk the boat out of its slip.

If the boat's slip is within pilings, you can attach walklines to the pilings on each side of the boat and using a boat hook the boat can be walked out of this type of slip as well.

Once you've got the boat moving in reverse you'll be able to steer her (you may have to keep the engine in idle).

catherine_monaghan@merck.com
CD32 Realization
Raritan Bay

We have been considering purchasing a 25D and have been told by two owners that they are very difficult to back out of a slip. Even an owner with a three bladed prop, which should help, said that he had great difficulty. As we would be docking it at a slip, I would be interested in hearing some reactions as to the backing maneuverability of the CD25D.

catherine_monaghan@merck.com

[jim]

I have hull #99 CD25D with a three bladed prop. And yes, while the boat doesn't back well, if you get the tiller set right for the current, wind and slip dimensions, and if you practice, the boat backs just fine. No worse than any other IB sailer. e-mail me if you want detailed advice on how I do it single handed all the time. It's really quite simple.
jim



james.jamieson@yale.edu

[Dan VanWinkle]

I have hull #69 and back mine from the slip alone most times with no problem. Here's what works for me: Set tiller amidship by positioning it in taut main sheet. Go forward and let bow lines go. Go aft and release stern lines and place engine in reverse at idle speed. The boat will "walk" slowly backward. Just stand by to fend off where necessary. Make sure there is no traffic to contend with. Once the boat is clear of the slip the wind usually turns to boat for me, sometimes the right direction, sometimes not. Upon clearing, release tiller from main sheet and attempt to steer if wind direction permits. With an easterly wind I usually have to do a U turn to proceed from marina. No problem just have to be prepared for it. Hope this helps.dvw

We have been considering purchasing a 25D and have been told by two owners that they are very difficult to back out of a slip. Even an owner with a three bladed prop, which should help, said that he had great difficulty. As we would be docking it at a slip, I would be interested in hearing some reactions as to the backing maneuverability of the CD25D.

dwinvan@aol.com

[Neil Gordon]

Full keel boats don't steer well in reverse. With my CD28, the boat backs just fine but the wind will turn the bow to leeward.

If you like the boat, live with the fact that you'll have to walk her out of the slip or do some sort of U-turn. You spend 99.999% of the time going forward.


Regards, Neil
s/v LIQUIDITY
Cape Dory 28 #167



neil@nrgordon.com

[Bob Luby]

If you are backing out of a slip, keep the rudder amidships until the boat starts moving - *then* steer with the rudder. You've got to get steerage first.

Also you've got a 7-horse diesel trying to manuever several tons.
The reletive inertia is tremendous, both starting and stopping.

As the former user of a back slip, I wish I had a bow thruster. As it was, the general activities of my dockmates, along the lines of "Gather the women and children! He's coming into the dock!" persuaded me to get a front slip.

But this is normal for full-keel boats, I understand.




Rluby@aol.com

[Ed Haley]

It's never easy to back a full-keeled boat. But with practice, you'll get the knack. With my CD28, I always back INTO the wind rather than against so the breeze will blow the bow in the direction I want to proceed. On calm days I put the tiller amidships, put the transmission in reverse and rev it for a second, slow it down and back up, steering where I wish.



eghaley@dreamscape.com

[Carl Jones]

We have been considering purchasing a 25D and have been told by two owners that they are very difficult to back out of a slip. Even an owner with a three bladed prop, which should help, said that he had great difficulty. As we would be docking it at a slip, I would be interested in hearing some reactions as to the backing maneuverability of the CD25D.

This whole business about backing a full keel boat has been blown way out of proportion. Most of the time you only have to back a couple of boat lengths, and yes it doesn't back like a car, but with patience and experience, you will learn. Don't ever let such an insignificant thing as this keep you from buying a full-keeled boat!



GreatCells@aol.com

[Bill]

"As it was, the general activities of my dockmates, along the lines of "Gather the women and children! He's coming into the dock!" persuaded me to get a front slip."

My dock mates even went as far to use score cards (10 being the high) to grade the "LACK" of my ability to leave or enter the slip. I show them as well and changed slips :>)!!

Bill



cd25d@clnk.com