Boat handling exercise

[POINTER94]

With an IO and trim tabs, when in reverse would there be an advantage to dropping the inside (to the turn) trim tab to create a sharper turn?<br /><br />My boat handles sluggishly in reverse and I have been sitting at home thinking of ways to improve my control in reverse.<br /><br />Whats your thoughts.....

 

[LubeDude]

Re: Boat handling exercise

In my opinion, boats were NOT designed to go backwards. My Bass Boat is unbelievably hard to back up, especially if there happens to be a little wind. It will go in every direction except where I want it to go.

 

[DJ]

Re: Boat handling exercise

Reversing boats can be-interesting. Nothing is more difficult than a flat bottom true inboard-single.<br /><br />However, outboard-I/O boats with relatively flat deadrises can be real tricky too. (Lubedude)<br />They tend to swivel around the engine-opposite of steering input. I got rid of a bay boat because of that. It drove me crazy.<br /><br />The more "appendages" you have in the water, whether it be hull, tabs, rudders, etc, the easier it gets. Any drag you can add to the bow really helps. Such as tying off on the dock, sea anchor, etc.<br /><br />Use everything you can that will create drag in one direction or another. Remember, anything you have in the water, near the stern, will act a swivel point around that object. It CAN be OPPOSITE of steering input.

 

[Link]

Re: Boat handling exercise

I would think putting a trim tab down on the side you wanted to turn to would help?? Try it and let us know

 

[Boatist]

Re: Boat handling exercise

The trim tab may help a very small amount but I do not think you will be able to tell the difference.<br /><br />Have you tried useing the natural stern kick when your change directions?? When put into reverse stern will kick to port and when put in foward stern will kick to starboard. My boat has 90 degree stearing of the old OMC Stringer not the 60 degree of the newer outdrives but I can turn in my length plus about 3 feet, useing the stern kick. As far as backing straight on a very windy day I do not think it is posible with out a bow thruster of some type.<br /><br />A real good book that explanes useing the stern kick on a inboard with a rudder is called " Single Screw Boat Handeling" but I do not remember the author.

 

[mattttt25]

Re: Boat handling exercise

doubt the trim tab would help much.<br /><br />fyi, if you go ahead and join the navy and do some sea time as a conning officer, you'll get real good. it's funny to think that my time driving 600' ships has helped me drive my 20' center console. the same priciples they teach us about ships applies to every watercraft out there.<br /><br />something to think about- the most important thing to know about your boat is it's pivot point. if you know this point and can visualize your boat from above (and understand vectors a bit), you can make it do whatever you want. the tricky part is the pivot point moves. when moving forward, your pivot point is usually 2/3 forward from the stern. at different speeds it will vary (faster you go, the more fwd it moves). it also moves while you are accelerating.<br /><br />backing is the same mess. your pivot point is now almost directly at the stern (or close). again, you need to take that into account.<br /><br />as others pointed out, the shape of your hull will affect how true your boat moves and turns. but it still helps to understand the pivot point concept. add winds and current (simply vectors acting on your hull) and with practice, you can do exactly what you want.

 

[beezee28]

Re: Boat handling exercise

mattttt25, thanks for the info. very enlightening. Never thought of it that way. Guess I learned something usefull today.

 

[mattttt25]

Re: Boat handling exercise

i forgot to say it, but try thinking about what i said next time you are out. it's pretty easy to pick up where your pivot point is during different speeds and directions. once you train yourself to start noticing it, it becomes very natural and something you won't even think about.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Boat handling exercise

I'm having a vision....<br /><br />Looks like a FloTec well pump mounted horizontally on your transom. <br /><br />Can also be used in case of fire, or for a giant sized water fight.!!

 

[snapperbait]

Re: Boat handling exercise

Bow and stern thrusters... They make single screw inboards a joy to pilot...<br /><br />I will try the tab down idea this weekend...

 

[sundog]

Re: Boat handling exercise

probably is not going to be a big help. As youve probably figured out, when backing once the bow starts to move off center, its practically impossible to correct without lots of room. <br /><br />try just going slow, keeping the bow on the line you want, then kick the stern using quick taps in fwd, or the prop walk. its easy to kick the stern around, hard to get the bow where you want it. on a windy day, backing is a ***** no matter what you do, unless the wind is right up your tail.

 

[swist]

Re: Boat handling exercise

Up in Maine, watching experienced lobstermen regularly (sucessfully) back up single-screw inboards with no thrusters makes me believe it is doable, but only with skills handed down from your father, and his father, etc.<br /><br />Having owned several outboard boats where I could *sort of* get them to back in the general direction I wanted to go, I wasn't prepared for what happens on my latest boat - the outboard is on a bracket, which is great for many things since it allows a full conventional transom, BUT putting that pivot point way back there truly is an experience in reverse - I agree with Sundog - quick shots of power are better than trying to brute force it (in which case it tries even harder to fight you).<br /><br />Also as noted earlier, *anything* you can do to kick it in the right direction to begin with and it will usually stay there (push off dock, play the current or wind right, use a gondola pole, or on a real small boat, even an oar!)