Just upgraded to a 3100 Tiara, Have question about docking

[NYJim]

Hi all, just went from a 23' single I/O to twin crusader inboards on 3100 Tiara. We took it out last night to practice docking and steering with just the throttles and shift controls.

Although all went quite well, I am confused about the speed when idling (800 rpm) seems too fast. Should I just bump the shift controls in and out or if I put it just a little in gear will it be slower than putting it fully in gear?? Hard to explain, is it like a variable or like throttle when putting into gear??

Thanks I will figure it out but would like a heads up. very tight slip, with inches on each side and not easy to pull out of due to another large vessel in front of my slip.....

Jim

 

[180Fisherman]

Re: Just upgraded to a 3100 Tiara, Have question about docking

Bumping it in and out of gear is proper technique and 800 rpms is just right for those motors at idle. You'll just need to get used to the handling characteristics of a twin screw. There is no clutch to speak of so your either in gear or out of gear. There is no being alittle bit pregnant with those things.

 

[25thmustang]

Re: Just upgraded to a 3100 Tiara, Have question about docking

Correct, you are either in gear or not. Although there is a lot of motion in the controls, you will hear it and feel it go in and out of gear. 800 RPM should be good, but when the wind and current picks up, sometimes more RPM might be required. To stop or slow momentum a quick tap into the opposite gear will slow or stop the boat. Docking a twin engine boat should end up being easier than the smaller single boat, but its a learning curve.

My boat is a bear to dock. The prop pockets I have makes for interesting situations. Just the other day, with the Port in fwd and the STB in reverse the boat actually turned left on me. Had me 180 from where I wanted to be, due to wind and current.

 

[shrew]

Re: Just upgraded to a 3100 Tiara, Have question about docking

800 RPM is pretty standard. Even my single I/O idles at that speed. When I'm docking I'm out of gear more than I'm in gear. Also with a larger boat everything takes longer to react. I've found that if you wait until it's time to turn, time to bump forward or reverse, it's typically too late. try bumping it into gear for a second, then back into neutral and watch what happens, how long it takes, and how far you go. You'll be surprised that a single bump in and out of gear will do far more than you expected.

 

[NYJim]

Re: Just upgraded to a 3100 Tiara, Have question about docking

Thanks guys. Doing just fine now. Bump in and out was the trick.....

 

[25thmustang]

Re: Just upgraded to a 3100 Tiara, Have question about docking

Good to see it's going well.

I should actually be out there tomorrow night doing a little weeknight practicing.