Just bought my 1st sailboat - "Second Wind" a Cape Dory 30 - Hull #166. After our two day 140 mile delivery from Colington Harbor, NC to Deltaville, VA, I love this lady even more! (It was supposed to take 3 days but with 18 knot southwesterlies she told us to keep going).
I can sail her well but am limited on getting her into and out of the slip. I want to be able to single hand the boat but must improve my "take off and landing" skills.
Fellow sailors have told me to chose a calm day and just manuever her around at slow speed to get the feel of her. Other say to plant a milk carton anchored with a brick and motor around it.
Any other suggestions??
davidlow@erols.com
"Parking Lessons"
Moderator: Jim Walsh
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Michael Heintz
Re: "Parking Lessons"
A few things I have learned.
1. Don't be afraid of using power, you must have forward motion to complete turns.
2. A good tip, use your mast as your pivot "point" when your making a turn it is helpful visulize where your mast is and when you make the turn.
3. As you coast into your slip, at idle, use reverse as your brake, a couple of quick shifts from neutral to reverse and back acts as a good braking method, instead of barreling in and then full throtle in reverse.
4. Needless to say, if your solo, and comming in, have all your lines & bumpers ready, take the time on the way in to rig your lines!!!!
5. Backing up in high winds in a CD... well.. good luck (still working on that!!!)
6. Practice at your slip...... don't worry about everyone looking, A. they know it all anyway & B,they've already crashed their boat on the dock.
**** Let's hear other tips from you old salts!!!!!!
Michael Heintz
s/v Machts Nichts
mzenith@aol.com
1. Don't be afraid of using power, you must have forward motion to complete turns.
2. A good tip, use your mast as your pivot "point" when your making a turn it is helpful visulize where your mast is and when you make the turn.
3. As you coast into your slip, at idle, use reverse as your brake, a couple of quick shifts from neutral to reverse and back acts as a good braking method, instead of barreling in and then full throtle in reverse.
4. Needless to say, if your solo, and comming in, have all your lines & bumpers ready, take the time on the way in to rig your lines!!!!
5. Backing up in high winds in a CD... well.. good luck (still working on that!!!)
6. Practice at your slip...... don't worry about everyone looking, A. they know it all anyway & B,they've already crashed their boat on the dock.
**** Let's hear other tips from you old salts!!!!!!
Michael Heintz
s/v Machts Nichts
mzenith@aol.com
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Bill Goldsmith
Re: "Parking Lessons"
Congratulations on your new boat.
My advice is to take everyone's advice. The brick may help, so will just maneuvering around on a calm day. But when you get more comfortable go maneuver around on a not-so-calm day.
Another idea: Take a couple of willing crewmembers with you, each armed with a boathook/pole and an extra fender nearby. Then go in and out of your slip and ask your crew to fend off any errors. (Keep in mind that the 30 is heavy and the fending crew should be well braced to push off. Never ask a crewmember to reach out and pull--that is very difficult. Also warn them not to get in between the boat and the other boat/piling or whatever. HAve extra fenders handy.) Practice going in the slip and tying off with three, then two, and then singlehanded to get a feel for the differences. Practice going in the slip forward and backing in as well (Yes backing is possible but is difficult with the CD design)
Then take your crew and go tie up at a fuel dock somewhere for a few minutes even if you do not need fuel. Ask permission to try tying up in someone else's slip with the finger on the other side from what you are used to. If your slip is on a floating dock, try to find a fixed dock to tie up to, and vice versa. Try getting in and out of your slip with wind blowing in different directions (on my 27 the bow likes to get blown downwind, so sometimes I use a pivot line to get going in the right direction.
Basically, just get alot of experience in as short a time as possible. Many people work their way up to a 30 footer, but there is no reason why you should not become very comfortable docking her after you've gained experience. And it would be a shame to avoid those breezy days, which your boat was made for, due to lack of confidence at the dock. Go for it!!
All the best.
Bill Goldsmith
CD27 Second Chance
goldy@bestweb.net
My advice is to take everyone's advice. The brick may help, so will just maneuvering around on a calm day. But when you get more comfortable go maneuver around on a not-so-calm day.
Another idea: Take a couple of willing crewmembers with you, each armed with a boathook/pole and an extra fender nearby. Then go in and out of your slip and ask your crew to fend off any errors. (Keep in mind that the 30 is heavy and the fending crew should be well braced to push off. Never ask a crewmember to reach out and pull--that is very difficult. Also warn them not to get in between the boat and the other boat/piling or whatever. HAve extra fenders handy.) Practice going in the slip and tying off with three, then two, and then singlehanded to get a feel for the differences. Practice going in the slip forward and backing in as well (Yes backing is possible but is difficult with the CD design)
Then take your crew and go tie up at a fuel dock somewhere for a few minutes even if you do not need fuel. Ask permission to try tying up in someone else's slip with the finger on the other side from what you are used to. If your slip is on a floating dock, try to find a fixed dock to tie up to, and vice versa. Try getting in and out of your slip with wind blowing in different directions (on my 27 the bow likes to get blown downwind, so sometimes I use a pivot line to get going in the right direction.
Basically, just get alot of experience in as short a time as possible. Many people work their way up to a 30 footer, but there is no reason why you should not become very comfortable docking her after you've gained experience. And it would be a shame to avoid those breezy days, which your boat was made for, due to lack of confidence at the dock. Go for it!!
All the best.
Bill Goldsmith
CD27 Second Chance
David Low wrote: Just bought my 1st sailboat - "Second Wind" a Cape Dory 30 - Hull #166. After our two day 140 mile delivery from Colington Harbor, NC to Deltaville, VA, I love this lady even more! (It was supposed to take 3 days but with 18 knot southwesterlies she told us to keep going).
I can sail her well but am limited on getting her into and out of the slip. I want to be able to single hand the boat but must improve my "take off and landing" skills.
Fellow sailors have told me to chose a calm day and just manuever her around at slow speed to get the feel of her. Other say to plant a milk carton anchored with a brick and motor around it.
Any other suggestions??
goldy@bestweb.net
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Warren Kaplan
Re: "Parking Lessons"
Dave,David Low wrote: Just bought my 1st sailboat - "Second Wind" a Cape Dory 30 - Hull #166. After our two day 140 mile delivery from Colington Harbor, NC to Deltaville, VA, I love this lady even more! (It was supposed to take 3 days but with 18 knot southwesterlies she told us to keep going).
I can sail her well but am limited on getting her into and out of the slip. I want to be able to single hand the boat but must improve my "take off and landing" skills.
Fellow sailors have told me to chose a calm day and just manuever her around at slow speed to get the feel of her. Other say to plant a milk carton anchored with a brick and motor around it.
Any other suggestions??
Like anything else...PRACTICE! PRACTICE! PRACTICE! The first time I tried to get my CD27 into my slip, I didn't realize the prevailing wind was from astern. Crunch! And there were alot of crunches until I figured out how far the boat would coast. How far in advance I'd have to put her in reverse to stop her before all the onlooking "shore kibbitzers" started to run for cover. I provided alot of entertainment for all the armchair admirals. Those first weeks I got down on my knees and begged my boat to forgive my ineptness! Which, she did!! Seriously, even the most experienced sailors have to get to know the characteristics of a "new" boat. Remember the wind direction when you are docking. Also, remember that prop walk can be an aid when throwing her into reverse. My prop walk in reverse on my CD27 pulls the stern to starboard and the bow to port..so I aim the bow a little to starboard when pulling in and when I go into reverse to brake the boat's forward progress, it straightens her right out into the center of the slip. But this all took time and practice. I put some bumpers on the pilings and some old tires at the end of the slip to be merciful to Sine Qua Non. This past Sunday a fellow with a big power boat was trying to get into a slip a couple down from mine. There was a terrible crosswind blowing and he was new to the boat and having a devil of a time getting into the slip. He saw me watching and yelled to me, "New boat! I'm learning." I yelled back, " That's okay! Welcome to the club!" Just keep on practicing and soon it'll be second nature. By the way ...Hull #166 is a lucky number!
Warren Kaplan
S/V Sine Qua Non
CD 27 #166
Setsail728@aol.com
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D. Stump, Hanalei
Re: Try this...
Dave,
If I am all alone, an NO ONE is watching, Hanalei will back out of the slip as nice as can be. Also, when going in, if NO ONE is watching, she will cuddle up to the floating finger pier with no worries at all.
The key is NO ONE watching! So, if you are going to back out and someone is on the dock watching you, or you are heading in and someone is watching, hollar out the command "Attention on Deck!". Then give the command "About Face". When they aren't looking anymore, she will slide right in and not hit NOTHIN'! Same thing when backing out, she will go right where you want her if NO ONE is watching.
But, seriously, what the others have said is true, also, be aware of any tidal flow, it can greatly affect where she goes, just as the wind will affect her.
Dave Stump
Captain Commanding
s/v Hanalei CD-30
If I am all alone, an NO ONE is watching, Hanalei will back out of the slip as nice as can be. Also, when going in, if NO ONE is watching, she will cuddle up to the floating finger pier with no worries at all.
The key is NO ONE watching! So, if you are going to back out and someone is on the dock watching you, or you are heading in and someone is watching, hollar out the command "Attention on Deck!". Then give the command "About Face". When they aren't looking anymore, she will slide right in and not hit NOTHIN'! Same thing when backing out, she will go right where you want her if NO ONE is watching.
But, seriously, what the others have said is true, also, be aware of any tidal flow, it can greatly affect where she goes, just as the wind will affect her.
Dave Stump
Captain Commanding
s/v Hanalei CD-30
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Frank Vernet
Re: "Parking Lessons"
My 2-cents: Cape Dorys are extremely maneuverable - more so than most sailboats. Under power, my CD33 will do a complete 180 within one boat length (I can almost spin her around the mast). Use this design feature to your advantage. Here's a couple suggestions to add to the already great comments made above:
1) Take your time coming in/out of a slip/dock/pier etc...The slow & steady approach is almost always preferable to fast and furious. It gives you more time to make corrections, gives everyone involved time to review & think about their roles and it looks more professional. Patience is key here - especially if you are sailing solo.
2) Smooth/small engine speed and steering inputs. Keep in mind that every correction will require another (kinda like flying formation). Large inputs start a cycle that grows wilder with every "correction". The armchair admirals live for shows like this.
3) Learn the feel of your engine at low RPMs. Know exactly how far down you can push the throttle before cutting the engine. I did this accidentally in a very tight marina with a steady 15 knots blowing. No damage resulted but a very uncomfortable and unpleasant experience.
4) Finally, be painfully aware of what the wind is doing. Check all the wind indicators you can see (every sailboat has one on top of it's mast!) and know how it's going to push Second Wind around.
Congrats on Second Wind and welcome to the community.
Frank Vernet
CO Sirius CD33
1) Take your time coming in/out of a slip/dock/pier etc...The slow & steady approach is almost always preferable to fast and furious. It gives you more time to make corrections, gives everyone involved time to review & think about their roles and it looks more professional. Patience is key here - especially if you are sailing solo.
2) Smooth/small engine speed and steering inputs. Keep in mind that every correction will require another (kinda like flying formation). Large inputs start a cycle that grows wilder with every "correction". The armchair admirals live for shows like this.
3) Learn the feel of your engine at low RPMs. Know exactly how far down you can push the throttle before cutting the engine. I did this accidentally in a very tight marina with a steady 15 knots blowing. No damage resulted but a very uncomfortable and unpleasant experience.
4) Finally, be painfully aware of what the wind is doing. Check all the wind indicators you can see (every sailboat has one on top of it's mast!) and know how it's going to push Second Wind around.
Congrats on Second Wind and welcome to the community.
Frank Vernet
CO Sirius CD33
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Mario
Re: "Parking Lessons"
David--David Low wrote: Just bought my 1st sailboat - "Second Wind" a Cape Dory 30 - Hull #166. After our two day 140 mile delivery from Colington Harbor, NC to Deltaville, VA, I love this lady even more! (It was supposed to take 3 days but with 18 knot southwesterlies she told us to keep going).
Welcome to the CD 30 club. We bought our CD 30 last summer and dock it at Windmill Point, just across the Rappahannock from you. Be glad to trade tips with you--as long as you understand that we are learning ourselves. And we can recommend a fine boat mechanic who maintained our CD 30 for the past ten years for the previous owner.
That said, the hardest thing for me to get used to on our boat was the prop walk when coming out of the slip. We were taught to BACK into a slip, but frankly, I'm much more comfortable going in bow first. Anyway, the first few times I backed Rhapsody out of her slip, I ended up going in a full circle before pointing her in the right direction, much to the amusement, I am sure, of our marina-mates.
Coming in I've always been impressed with how much the boat will coast when in neutral, and I'm gradually getting better at sloooowly getting her into the slip, much to the irritation of the power boaters behind us who are eager to get tied up.
So, take it slow, mind the wind, and keep your fingers crossed. And, practice backing when you're all alone in a creek somewhere.
Mario
s/v Rhapsody
capedory252@aol.com
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Warren Kaplan
Ain't it the truth!!
"IF NO ONE IS WATCHING".
Dave,
Ain't it the truth!! I have often times been tempted on particularly adverse docking days (unfavorable wind and current) to come into my marina and just pick out a slip where NO ONE is hanging around. I wouldn't worry about small details such as whether its my slip or not. Trivial stuff like that are of minor importance (except to the rightful occupant) and could be dealt with later. But what better way to guarantee that Sine Qua Non berths without so much as touching a piling or the float!
Warren
Setsail728@aol.com
Dave,
Ain't it the truth!! I have often times been tempted on particularly adverse docking days (unfavorable wind and current) to come into my marina and just pick out a slip where NO ONE is hanging around. I wouldn't worry about small details such as whether its my slip or not. Trivial stuff like that are of minor importance (except to the rightful occupant) and could be dealt with later. But what better way to guarantee that Sine Qua Non berths without so much as touching a piling or the float!
Warren
Setsail728@aol.com
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Mike Greenberg
Re: "Parking Lessons"
You'd be surprised what you can do with a springline tied midships running aft.David Low wrote: Any other suggestions??
mikegre1@bellatlantic.net
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M. R. Bober
Re: "Parking Lessons"
I agree with the lads, practice is the key. That having been said, don't forget your lucky charms when backing into a stiff breeze. Spring lines and hand hands are quite useful (even after mastering the basics).
As for the amused dock committee, I think they live to supervise. They're always at the dock.
Every best wish,
Mitchell Bober
RESPITE
CD330
As for the amused dock committee, I think they live to supervise. They're always at the dock.
Every best wish,
Mitchell Bober
RESPITE
CD330
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Catherine Monaghan
Re: Everybody is right-on!
Dave,
What's your situation at the dock?
If you're at a floating dock, backing out is pretty easy as long as there's not too much wind. You don't even need to be onboard. You can just walk her out of her slip (with engine running) along the dock then hop on board and take control of the helm. Pull her back using the spring and bow lines (if you keep your lines with the boat) rather than trying to hold on to the toerail, a stanchion or shroud. I hop on when I reach the end of the dock and step on just aft of the shrouds. She has enough momentum, even when moving slowly, to keep backing out on her own. Make sure to point her stern in the direction you want it to go before stepping onboard. (This is something you also need to practice. The key is to maneuver slowly and not to panic if you get close to something, like another boat or piling.)
If your boat is parked at a fixed dock between pilings, you can tie walk lines on either side of the boat and walk her out using a boathook.
Getting back in, follow everyone else's advice. Just remember, slow, slow, slow, and if you do bump, you won't damage anything.
Good luck.
catherine_monaghan@merck.com
CD32 <a href="http://www.hometown.aol.com/bcomet/real ... ization</a>, #3
Rahway, NJ
Raritan Bay
catherine_monaghan@merck.com
What's your situation at the dock?
If you're at a floating dock, backing out is pretty easy as long as there's not too much wind. You don't even need to be onboard. You can just walk her out of her slip (with engine running) along the dock then hop on board and take control of the helm. Pull her back using the spring and bow lines (if you keep your lines with the boat) rather than trying to hold on to the toerail, a stanchion or shroud. I hop on when I reach the end of the dock and step on just aft of the shrouds. She has enough momentum, even when moving slowly, to keep backing out on her own. Make sure to point her stern in the direction you want it to go before stepping onboard. (This is something you also need to practice. The key is to maneuver slowly and not to panic if you get close to something, like another boat or piling.)
If your boat is parked at a fixed dock between pilings, you can tie walk lines on either side of the boat and walk her out using a boathook.
Getting back in, follow everyone else's advice. Just remember, slow, slow, slow, and if you do bump, you won't damage anything.
Good luck.
catherine_monaghan@merck.com
CD32 <a href="http://www.hometown.aol.com/bcomet/real ... ization</a>, #3
Rahway, NJ
Raritan Bay
David Low wrote: Just bought my 1st sailboat - "Second Wind" a Cape Dory 30 - Hull #166. After our two day 140 mile delivery from Colington Harbor, NC to Deltaville, VA, I love this lady even more! (It was supposed to take 3 days but with 18 knot southwesterlies she told us to keep going).
I can sail her well but am limited on getting her into and out of the slip. I want to be able to single hand the boat but must improve my "take off and landing" skills.
Fellow sailors have told me to chose a calm day and just manuever her around at slow speed to get the feel of her. Other say to plant a milk carton anchored with a brick and motor around it.
Any other suggestions??
catherine_monaghan@merck.com
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Jim Heavin
Re: "Parking Lessons"
Having purchased a CD30 a little over a year ago but not having sailed her yet I can't be specific about this boat, however our previous boat was an IP38 and I expect the same characteristics. We got in the habit of using turning lines when the winds were adverse and this saved many a day. Get about 60 ft. of polypropolene, tie a loop in one end to go over a winch close to the cockpit, do not put any knots in the bitter end. When backing put the loop over the winch, the other end around the most aft piling at your slip and lead back to the helmsman. As you back out let the line slide thru your hand until you are ready to turn then tighten your grip and she'll come right around, when you're headed the direction you want drop the line and go. We found that an electric cord winder was an excellent way to bring the line back on the boat.David Low wrote: Just bought my 1st sailboat - "Second Wind" a Cape Dory 30 - Hull #166. After our two day 140 mile delivery from Colington Harbor, NC to Deltaville, VA, I love this lady even more! (It was supposed to take 3 days but with 18 knot southwesterlies she told us to keep going).
I can sail her well but am limited on getting her into and out of the slip. I want to be able to single hand the boat but must improve my "take off and landing" skills.
Lady Sandy CD30
Lake Michigan
David Low wrote: Fellow sailors have told me to chose a calm day and just manuever her around at slow speed to get the feel of her. Other say to plant a milk carton anchored with a brick and motor around it.
Any other suggestions??
heavinj@kiva.net
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John R.
Re: "Parking Lessons"
Excellent advice from many CD owners. Here's one additional tip especially for a single handler. When our 30 used to be at a marina slip I rigged a V shaped bridle at the bow area of the slip with enough tension to stop the boat short of striking the seawall in case the boat came in a little too fast. Which I might add it did on an occassion or two or maybe three. However, this bridle may not be practical in a high tidal difference area.Michael Heintz wrote: A few things I have learned.
1. Don't be afraid of using power, you must have forward motion to complete turns.
2. A good tip, use your mast as your pivot "point" when your making a turn it is helpful visulize where your mast is and when you make the turn.
3. As you coast into your slip, at idle, use reverse as your brake, a couple of quick shifts from neutral to reverse and back acts as a good braking method, instead of barreling in and then full throtle in reverse.
4. Needless to say, if your solo, and comming in, have all your lines & bumpers ready, take the time on the way in to rig your lines!!!!
5. Backing up in high winds in a CD... well.. good luck (still working on that!!!)
6. Practice at your slip...... don't worry about everyone looking, A. they know it all anyway & B,they've already crashed their boat on the dock.
**** Let's hear other tips from you old salts!!!!!!
Michael Heintz
s/v Machts Nichts
-
Jerry Axler
Re: "Parking Lessons"
All of the above especially the use of spring lines. I have a 36 that I regularly back into my slip singlehanded and the use of storm lines that are attached to the farthest piling and the dock at about deck height are useful to aid you in your manuevering. In addition, practice using the wind and the rub rail gently against the piling to help guide you in.David Low wrote: Just bought my 1st sailboat - "Second Wind" a Cape Dory 30 - Hull #166. After our two day 140 mile delivery from Colington Harbor, NC to Deltaville, VA, I love this lady even more! (It was supposed to take 3 days but with 18 knot southwesterlies she told us to keep going).
I can sail her well but am limited on getting her into and out of the slip. I want to be able to single hand the boat but must improve my "take off and landing" skills.
Fellow sailors have told me to chose a calm day and just manuever her around at slow speed to get the feel of her. Other say to plant a milk carton anchored with a brick and motor around it.
Any other suggestions??
cutter36@erols.com
-
John Vigor
Re: "Parking Lessons"
David, parking a Cape Dory is a lesson that never ends. There's always some new element to make your hair stand on end, no matter how many years you've been at it.
A case in point. A few days ago, I was coming in to my slip here in Bellingham, Wash., in my CD25D. I slipped the gear into neutral a good long distance before reaching my slip, as usual, but I noticed that she was still going faster than normal, so I did two quick 90-degree turns to scrub off speed, and as the bow came alongside the end of the slip, I put the gear into reverse and revved up the little Yanmar mightily.
But instead of slowing down, she leaped ahead at about 4 knots and T-
boned the dinghy I had overconfidently tied athwartships, across the head of the slip.
My wife June, who was standing by ready to leap ashore, looked at me with eyes the size of saucers and cried: "She going too fast, I can't stop her."
I said: "I know. Don't even try."
It was the most disconcerting feeling to have the boat lurch forward when she should have been in reverse, but the loud splintering noise from my folding fiberglass dinghy provided much entertainment for the verandah yachtsmen gathered nearby.
The dinghy acted as buffer and saved my boat from damage, and I can fix it up without too much effort.
I put the gear lever in neutral again, but after we had scrambled ashore with our hearts racing, we found the boat was still trying to nudge ahead, and we had a heckuva time getting the mooring lines on.
Then it dawned on me that she wasn't in neutral at all. She was in forward gear, and had been all the time, although the gear lever was in the neutral position.
When I checked the gearbox, I found that engine vibration had shaken off the connection from the remote gear-lever cable to the arm on the gearbox. So the cable wasn't connected to the gearbox at all, and the lever at the gearbox end was stuck in forward gear. The mechanic who had overhauled my engine a few weeks ago obviously neglected to put some Loctite on the connecting nut and bolt, which I later found in the pan under the engine.
I'm not suggesting you should go below and check that your remote control cable is actually connected to the gearbox every time you come into your slip, but it might we wise to stop in some clear place just before you become committed to your landing, and test her in reverse for a moment.
Had I discovered the problem at that stage, I could simply have killed the engine well before reaching my slip and glided in at a gentle half-knot.
I have to add that of all the boats I've owned and sailed, the CD25D is the most unpredictable in reverse gear. I have spent hours going around backward in small circles and large, to no avail, becoming more and more convinced that she is simply bewitched. I have handled just about every size boat from 75 feet downward, and never had so much trouble.
The only reliable thing I can tell you is that if you are going forward slowly, and you start a gentle turn to one side or the other, slipping her into reverse will tighten the turn dramatically. So be sure to get her turning in the direction you want before you put her in astern. When you're going straight ahead, there is simply no telling which way she will turn when you put on the brakes.
I used to think that, like some other boats I've had, she would tend to hang downwind from her prop in reverse, regardless of where you held the tiller, but she recently cured me of that misapprehension by bouncing stern-first off a large motor cruiser moored nearby.
Cathy's method of walking the boat out from her slip is the one I use also, and as she says it's important to have her stern turning the right way before you clamber on board.
Buy lots of fenders. Place them on both sides. Use the midships line recommended by many others for backing out, if you do it under power; fender the head of your slip if you can; and never ever leave your dinghy parked there.
John Vigor
CD25D "Jabula"
jvigor@qwest.net
A case in point. A few days ago, I was coming in to my slip here in Bellingham, Wash., in my CD25D. I slipped the gear into neutral a good long distance before reaching my slip, as usual, but I noticed that she was still going faster than normal, so I did two quick 90-degree turns to scrub off speed, and as the bow came alongside the end of the slip, I put the gear into reverse and revved up the little Yanmar mightily.
But instead of slowing down, she leaped ahead at about 4 knots and T-
boned the dinghy I had overconfidently tied athwartships, across the head of the slip.
My wife June, who was standing by ready to leap ashore, looked at me with eyes the size of saucers and cried: "She going too fast, I can't stop her."
I said: "I know. Don't even try."
It was the most disconcerting feeling to have the boat lurch forward when she should have been in reverse, but the loud splintering noise from my folding fiberglass dinghy provided much entertainment for the verandah yachtsmen gathered nearby.
The dinghy acted as buffer and saved my boat from damage, and I can fix it up without too much effort.
I put the gear lever in neutral again, but after we had scrambled ashore with our hearts racing, we found the boat was still trying to nudge ahead, and we had a heckuva time getting the mooring lines on.
Then it dawned on me that she wasn't in neutral at all. She was in forward gear, and had been all the time, although the gear lever was in the neutral position.
When I checked the gearbox, I found that engine vibration had shaken off the connection from the remote gear-lever cable to the arm on the gearbox. So the cable wasn't connected to the gearbox at all, and the lever at the gearbox end was stuck in forward gear. The mechanic who had overhauled my engine a few weeks ago obviously neglected to put some Loctite on the connecting nut and bolt, which I later found in the pan under the engine.
I'm not suggesting you should go below and check that your remote control cable is actually connected to the gearbox every time you come into your slip, but it might we wise to stop in some clear place just before you become committed to your landing, and test her in reverse for a moment.
Had I discovered the problem at that stage, I could simply have killed the engine well before reaching my slip and glided in at a gentle half-knot.
I have to add that of all the boats I've owned and sailed, the CD25D is the most unpredictable in reverse gear. I have spent hours going around backward in small circles and large, to no avail, becoming more and more convinced that she is simply bewitched. I have handled just about every size boat from 75 feet downward, and never had so much trouble.
The only reliable thing I can tell you is that if you are going forward slowly, and you start a gentle turn to one side or the other, slipping her into reverse will tighten the turn dramatically. So be sure to get her turning in the direction you want before you put her in astern. When you're going straight ahead, there is simply no telling which way she will turn when you put on the brakes.
I used to think that, like some other boats I've had, she would tend to hang downwind from her prop in reverse, regardless of where you held the tiller, but she recently cured me of that misapprehension by bouncing stern-first off a large motor cruiser moored nearby.
Cathy's method of walking the boat out from her slip is the one I use also, and as she says it's important to have her stern turning the right way before you clamber on board.
Buy lots of fenders. Place them on both sides. Use the midships line recommended by many others for backing out, if you do it under power; fender the head of your slip if you can; and never ever leave your dinghy parked there.
John Vigor
CD25D "Jabula"
jvigor@qwest.net