A Riding Sail to Tame Steering in Reverse?

[Neil Gordon]

As we all know, with any sort of breeze, LIQUDITY's bow will blow downwind as I back out of my slip. Forget about steering, it's hopeless. Solutions to date have included walking the boat out of the slip and having the bow pulled up into and across the eye of the wind, letting the bow go downwind and then turning in the fairway, etc. Now I'm considering what the effect of a riding sail would be.

The working jib is available and it has a convenient set of reef points to make it a bit smaller. What would the effect be if I ran it up the backstay and sheeted it in as I backed out? I'd sail backwards and the stern would go downwind?? Soon as I was out and turned the right way, I'd let the sheet go and take the jib down. I think it's small enough to contain without wrapping me hopelessly in sailcloth as I try to steer. <G>

Any thoughts??


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



neil@nrgordon.com

[john churchill]

on my cd26 the situation is even more hopeless as the prop wash does not pass the rudder in forward. (i back in my slip ok using the starboard thrust.) in forward the boat will not steer easily under power at low speeds. i have a barge across from me and a steel workboat sticking out past my pilings next door.
the trick is SPRING LINES. the watermen in the marina showed me how to use them, i get out just fine making a 90 degree turn in just a few feet. another resource would be someone with a big single screw trawler; they have windage problems we can only imagine and most do their maneuvering against springs when in tight quarters.
good luck.
john

[Joe Brown]

One problem with backing down in any full keel boat is the effect of prop torque. Depending upon how much room you have behind you when backing out, here is one solution taught me by an old full-keeler: Put the engine in reverse and give her some hard throttle, then immediately throttle down to idle and put the shift into neutral. Without prop torque, the boat will answer the tiller much better and when you are in position to make the turn and go forward again, re-engage the engine. The only limitation to this maneuver is knowing how far you must go in reverse before going into neutral and then forward again. Try it on a calm day and experiment a little. Good luck.



joebrown@mint.net

[Neil Gordon]

>>the trick is SPRING LINES<<

Not an option. I'm on the downwind side of the slip. There's no choice but to back more or less straight out until I clear both the dock and the boat next to me. By then, I'm in the fairway and cast off. The bow is at the mercy of the wind.

I've used spring lines in other situations, and agree that they should be practiced and available in the bag of tricks.


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



neil@nrgordon.com

[Neil Gordon]

>>Depending upon how much room you have behind you when backing out, ...<<

About two boat lengths. It's hard to get enough speed up and then trust that she'll respond to the rudder. I've been ok with it when the wind is light, but in anything more...

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



neil@nrgordon.com

[Greg Kozlowski]

Neil,

Sapce allowing, you might have a better chance to back her into
the slip upon returning instead of bow to. That way you can leave
the slip in forward. Given enough room, the right conditions and
some practice you'll get the hang of it. Also, it will prepare
you for all of those places where you have to back up Med style.
After a few weeks of practice on my old Alberg 30, I finally
got the hang of it in all but the most windy conditions.

When backing in, the key is to estimate how much the bow
will blow off and start your entry at the correct angle to
make up for it. Don't be shy about goosing the engine to max
when needed - you'll be surprised how well she'll just yank
the boat back, often straight back, and then if you completely let off, the rudder can do its job without interference from the prop.


Greg Kozlowski
Sherpa CD36