Re: Docking with twin I/Os
What if you don't? I have two right handed ones. I've tried to dock with just the throttles, but I find I just don't have the response on my boat and always end up resorting to the wheel. So much so, I've pretty much given up on the throttle steering method.
I've never understood why any company would make a boat that has two engines without making one counter-rotate. Possibly happened in re-powering. Part of steering with two props takes advantage of the side thrust produced by the props, which is opposite if you have counter-rotating props. Without counter rotation, you lose that advantage.
As an example, if I am backing into a slip with starboard engine in reverse (started from port side perpendicular to the slip), I am using the side thrust to curve me in (stern gets pushed toward port). Let's say I'm not curving enough, so my starboard stern corner is headed for the end of the dock. I will goose the port engine forward, using the side thrust of the port prop, which now, since its in forward, is the same side direction as the starboard prop. The forces being additive, kicks the back end to port even faster and I'm no longer aimed at the cornet of the dock.
With your setup, if you goosed the port engine forward (in the above example), your side forces would negate each other. So you won't get that kick of the stern to the side. However, you should still be able to turn the boat by opposite directions of engines.
I have never driven a twin that didn't counter-rotate, so I am theorizing here. When backing on one engine we get a natural curve. You get that in one direction. So, if you are backing with your starboard engine in reverse (as in the example above) you will get the same curve into the slip as we do. However, when you goose the port engine forward, you will get a force that negates the side movement instead of adding to it, but you should still get the rotation of the boat (one forward, one reverse). I suspect your forward on port will have to be longer or stronger.
That works for the example. But what if you are approaching from the opposite direction due to wind and current. You can't get the kind of curve you need from your engines. I'll have to think about that one some more. My thoughts are to practice with the forward/reverse (in a quiet place) to see how your boat reacts. Where counter-rotating props will spin the boat on a center point somewhere forward of the props. Yours will likely spin the boat with the center point at the props.
Good luck.
