Docking with twin I/Os

[NSBCraig]

Re: Docking with twin I/Os

How's it going?

Did you figure out if your props are counter rotating? They should be. Even though some people on here not only set up their boat with non counter rotation and actually advise people to do the same facepalm, it's not the way they came from the factory. So it's pretty safe to say they are, unless some knucklehead got a hold of the boat before you bought it.

Give us an update and let us know how it's going.

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Docking with twin I/Os

NSBCraig....I'm still not talking to you...:facepalm:

 

[NSBCraig]

Re: Docking with twin I/Os

Ha! Ha! Ha! Yeah you really wouldn't if you were hear yesterday!

 

[Valv]

Re: Docking with twin I/Os

Just splashed my boat this morning and thought of a few more things as I was backing her in.

1. Very similar to driving a skid steer. If you have never had the opportunity, I highly recommend it!

That is EXACTLY the explanation I give to other that are learning. If you never ran a skidsteer loader, there's an excellent DVD video that will help you immensely and teach you how to do it, from www.bennettmarinevideo.com, I recommend it highly:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RB_Gg6_wCGo

 

[kylejb2663]

Re: Docking with twin I/Os

Guys,

Quick question on docking with twin I/O's... I as well do not have counter rotating props on my boat. They both turn clockwise- I have to parallel park in my slip and to get out of my slip.. The channel between the slips (Left side and Right side) though is big enough to where I could technically turn my boat around if I could figure out how to turn my boat in it's length... however I would be worried about the stern (Swim platform) hitting the dock since I dock on the Left side of the channel... Any ideas? I certainly plan on taking it out and practicing!

 

[Thalasso]

Re: Docking with twin I/Os

Guys,

Quick question on docking with twin I/O's... I as well do not have counter rotating props on my boat. They both turn clockwise- I have to parallel park in my slip and to get out of my slip.. The channel between the slips (Left side and Right side) though is big enough to where I could technically turn my boat around if I could figure out how to turn my boat in it's length... however I would be worried about the stern (Swim platform) hitting the dock since I dock on the Left side of the channel... Any ideas? I certainly plan on taking it out and practicing!

Just think of parenthesis ( ^ ) with the wheel straight when you put the Stbd throttle ) forward and port ( back the bow goes to port and stern to stbd and vice versa. You don't really need any more then idle speed for the most part. You can actually make the boat walk sideways just by using the controls after a lot of practice

 

[partskenn]

Re: Docking with twin I/Os

How's it going?

Did you figure out if your props are counter rotating? They should be. Even though some people on here not only set up their boat with non counter rotation and actually advise people to do the same facepalm, it's not the way they came from the factory. So it's pretty safe to say they are, unless some knucklehead got a hold of the boat before you bought it.

Give us an update and let us know how it's going.

Update:
First of all, you guys are right, it's just a generic symbol on the tach, similar to the one on the temp, oil pressure guages etc.
Second, the reason I wanted to back it in is because the easier boarding is on the opposite side of the boat from that of the old one. But once we had it backed in, the admiral decided that she didn't really like having the stern up against the dock, we would rather have the privacy of a boat length between us and all the people walking the docks. I agree.
So, although I still intend to get a lot better backing it in, it was no longer something I had to do right now. After my first couple attempts at docking, I was having some confidence issues. I did not want to become one of those people that have nice boats, but are afraid to take them out of the slip. I decided that I needed to develop

 

[partskenn]

Re: Docking with twin I/Os

Evidently I need help posting too.
What I started to say was that I wanted to become proficient at getting it in and out of the slip in the easiest manner I could find, then once I was more comfortable with the controls (steering is stiffer, throttles take quite a bit more effort), and visibility ( radar arch, hull rises up higher around you), than I would begin to push the envelope. It's a new boat, everyone wants to go for a ride, I don't need to stress out on more than neccessary right now.

 

[CaptainKickback]

Re: Docking with twin I/Os

Hey partskenn, I fully understand you reasoning for docking bow in. In our case, we actually like being able to see the activity on the dock. But, you're right. You can take your time and practice somewhere out away from your dock. You'll get it. Don't worry. It will suddenly click and you'll have it.

On reason to learn to back in is that if you ever have to tie up in a very short slip, it will be much easier to tie up your boat if you back in. The bow is light and the engines are heavy. That is the end that is harder to secure. If you back in, you can cross tie the stern so it can't hit the dock or the boat next to you.

Sea ya...

 

[NSBCraig]

Re: Docking with twin I/Os

Cool to hear you two are enjoying it.

That's all that really matters.

 

[partskenn]

Re: Docking with twin I/Os

For all of you that kept telling me that my props are counter-rotating, guess what? I finally got a good look, and you were all right, they are mirror images of each other. There goes that excuse, I'll have to start looking for another.

 

[CaptainKickback]

Re: Docking with twin I/Os

For all of you that kept telling me that my props are counter-rotating, guess what? I finally got a good look, and you were all right, they are mirror images of each other. There goes that excuse, I'll have to start looking for another.

Great! You just got past the denial stage. Now on to great boat handling. Good luck.

Sea ya...

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Docking with twin I/Os

Talk to some of the other operators at the dock. Most are more than willing to assist in any way, as long as it means being out on a boat. Don't be afraid to ask for help. You'll be better off in the long run. If you don't know what you're doing wrong, how in the world can you assume you'll fix it?

 

[Thalasso]

Re: Docking with twin I/Os

For all of you that kept telling me that my props are counter-rotating, guess what? I finally got a good look, and you were all right, they are mirror images of each other. There goes that excuse, I'll have to start looking for another.

If that is so they are not counter rotating. The pitch of the props will be opposite of each other if they are counter rotating. If you have two props on one drive then one of the two will be counter rotating.

. Looking at that smaller opening, cover it with the palm of either hand. If you can hide your left thumb behind a blade, it's a left-hand propeller. If you can hide your right thumb, it's a right-hand prop. (Because of the angle of the blades, you won't be able to hide your right thumb behind the blade on a left-hand prop.)

 

[CaptainKickback]

Re: Docking with twin I/Os

Talk to some of the other operators at the dock. Most are more than willing to assist in any way, as long as it means being out on a boat. Don't be afraid to ask for help. You'll be better off in the long run. If you don't know what you're doing wrong, how in the world can you assume you'll fix it?

Actually, this is great advice. We can sit here and describe the movements all day, but if you have someone on the boat that knows how to do it, he'll have you up to speed in no time.

Sea ya...

 

[CaptainKickback]

Re: Docking with twin I/Os

If that is so they are not counter rotating. The pitch of the props will be opposite of each other if they are counter rotating. If you have two props on one drive then one of the two will be counter rotating.

. Looking at that smaller opening, cover it with the palm of either hand. If you can hide your left thumb behind a blade, it's a left-hand propeller. If you can hide your right thumb, it's a right-hand prop. (Because of the angle of the blades, you won't be able to hide your right thumb behind the blade on a left-hand prop.)

Hey, Thalasso, looking at your first paragraph, it looks like you are talking about dual prop drives, like a Bravo III. I looked back and the OP did not say what type of drives he had, but did not mention dual props, and did mention twin I/Os. So, two things:

1) I am assuming he has single prop drives and he does have a counter rotating setup.

2) I never thought about this before, but on a boat with twin I/Os, each dual prop, how are they typically set up? Do they setup one drive so that each prop on that drive counter rotates compared to the same prop on the other drive? This would maintain the benefits of the counter rotation we have been talking about in this thread.

Sea ya...

 

[Thalasso]

Re: Docking with twin I/Os

Hey, Thalasso, looking at your first paragraph, it looks like you are talking about dual prop drives, like a Bravo III. I looked back and the OP did not say what type of drives he had, but did not mention dual props, and did mention twin I/Os. So, two things:

1) I am assuming he has single prop drives and he does have a counter rotating setup.

2) I never thought about this before, but on a boat with twin I/Os, each dual prop, how are they typically set up? Do they setup one drive so that each prop on that drive counter rotates compared to the same prop on the other drive? This would maintain the benefits of the counter rotation we have been talking about in this thread

Sea ya...

Lets presume you have either a Bravo111 or a Volvo DP. The inner prop on both drives turn the same direction and the outer on both turns the opposite of the inner. In essence you will have a left hand and a right hand on the same drive.I know Merc had a right and left application on twins but not to common. Thats why i put the how to determine right from left props info on there.


(Quote) For all of you that kept telling me that my props are counter-rotating, guess what? I finally got a good look, and you were all right, they are mirror images of each other. There goes that excuse, I'll have to start looking for another. ( unquote) If they are mirror images they cant be counter rotating. Pitch of prop would be opposite of the other.

 

[Lakes84]

Re: Docking with twin I/Os

Forgive me if this has been posted, but here is a great tutorial on exactly this topic.

http://www.boatinghowto.com/content/maneuvering-twin-engine-boat-part-1-principles-194/

 

[partskenn]

Re: Docking with twin I/Os

Forgive me if this has been posted, but here is a great tutorial on exactly this topic.

http://www.boatinghowto.com/content/maneuvering-twin-engine-boat-part-1-principles-194/

That's a very informative site. Thanks

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Docking with twin I/Os

If that is so they are not counter rotating. The pitch of the props will be opposite of each other if they are counter rotating. If you have two props on one drive then one of the two will be counter rotating.

Hey, Thalasso, looking at your first paragraph, it looks like you are talking about dual prop drives, like a Bravo III. I looked back and the OP did not say what type of drives he had, but did not mention dual props, and did mention twin I/Os. So, two things:

1) I am assuming he has single prop drives and he does have a counter rotating setup.

2) I never thought about this before, but on a boat with twin I/Os, each dual prop, how are they typically set up? Do they setup one drive so that each prop on that drive counter rotates compared to the same prop on the other drive? This would maintain the benefits of the counter rotation we have been talking about in this thread.

Sea ya...

Thalasso...counter-rotating props are mirror images of each other. If he had duo props, it would be the same on both sides, as the torque of one prop cancels out the torque of the other. No need to have opposites on the other outdrive.

His earlier posts said nothing about duoprops or counter rotating props on a single shaft. Let's not make this tougher than it is. He has a set of counter-rotating props. They would be mirro images of each other (please see post #37 for a pic), not duplicates of each other or identical to one another. If one is a left handed screw, a mirror image would be a right handed screw.

Two outboards, two props (one per side), counter rotating.

To relieve all doubt, do this while keeping the boat tethered at the dock. Bring one outdrive up so just the top of the prop clears the water line. Put it in forwar and see which way it spins. Do the same to the other and see if it spins in the opposite direction. I'm betting it does.