Docking Twins

[sailsmanship]

New to twin inboards,have always had single I/O's. When docking starboard side at a higher angle than preferred, I would always turn wheel to starboard,put in reverse, and the stern would tuck in nicely. How do I accomplish this with throttle and gears on twin inboards? I have tried different combinations, but the bow always seems to pull away.

 

[Reel Poor]

Re: Docking Twins

Don't use any starboard forward throttle. Use port reverse only and it may take a quick abrupt shot of power. You will have to learn to use the momentom and weight of the boat also.

This may be of some help. Picture your throttle handles. If you notice, the top of the handles actually indicate the direction the boat will respond when using just one throttle at a time. Starboard throttle forward the bow will turn to the port. Starboard throttle reversed the stern will move to the port. Port throttle forward the bow will turn starboard. Port throttle reverse the stern will move starboard. Using throttles in opposit directions will spin the boat.

 

[sailsmanship]

Re: Docking Twins

Thanks, Will try this weekend......

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Docking Twins

remember that with the outboard and i/o the prop thrust is directed by the swivel of the lower unit. with an inboard the prop thrust is forward, and back, the water running over the rudders, is what steers. in reverse there is no thrust against the rudder. it is a total different animal to tame.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Docking Twins

So why wouldn't one if F and the other in R work to position you along side a dock considering that the boat had no forward momentum initially.
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You are pulling up to a dock on the starboard side (or port side, just reverse everything); boat has some slow forward momentum and the dock is say 2' away and coming alongside. Helm is centered engines are in N.

You R the Star engine (maybe a little throttle bump) which should stop forward momentum and suck the transom in (toward the dock) and the helm goes to full cw (both simultaneously)...puts the rudders (tips) pointing toward the dock. Bow will start toward dock, but not get there because you are stopping the forward movement and starting to suck the stern in.

As soon as the boat stops forward movement, and when the bow stops moving (toward the dock) and starts to swing out (away from the dock), put the Port in F and give that throttle a little bump (Starboard engine and helm as they were).

Then as soon as it appears that she has stopped fore-aft movement and is drifting parallel to, and into the dock, N on both engines; center the helm.

Might be worth a try.

Mark

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Docking Twins

get out in some open water so you can experiment. those twins, should be able to pivot that boat in at 360 degree circle, 1 forward 1 reverse. the bow is going to due the swinging, and the props are the pivot point. so when docking the bow is the first rope to the dock, and loosely wrapped so the handler and either give or taking in slack. the bow has to be stable for the props to pull the stearn side ways.

 

[valkyr]

Re: Docking Twins

Phooey!

Where's the twins?! Blondes, brunettes...

 

[jtexas]

Re: Docking Twins

google "prop walk" - I don't know which engine spins which way, but a right hand prop spinning in reverse will walk the stern to port...a left hand prop in reverse will walk the stern to starboard. the extent of the effect varies from boat to boat, and diminishes as throttle is increased.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Docking Twins

something like that.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Docking Twins

Hmmmmmm. Gotta point there "j". Guess you'd have to know which is which before you try what I suggested. Plum forgot about that, and any true inboard worth it's salt should have counter rotating props........wouldn't you think?

Mark

 

[seven up]

Re: Docking Twins

Good Topic. The advice given to me for the maiden voyage was:

...rudders straight ahead and engines at idle, using the shifters only to direct the boat where you want it to go...you can nudge in the stern for a stern-in starboard docking then use the spring line to ease it back into the slip from the the dock. Any quick shots on the throttles should be used to correct poor planning or for high wind and/or currents.

This has worked well for me when singlehanding as well. Struggling with useless rudders in a docking situation was a waste of time.



Enjoy !