Need prop for low speed manoeuvres

[bobhol]

Hi. I recently purchased a Chaparral suncoast 191 deck boat. It has a Yamaha 115 4 stroke using a Yamaha 13 1/8 by 17 3 blade prop. Gear ratio is 2.15 to 1 . WOT is 6200 rpm My issue is docking. Any type of a breeze swings this thing around as it is not a deep hull. It is very sluggish and not at all responsive to low speed manoeuvres. I was wondering if a 4 blade or a pontoon prop with the big ears would help without sacrificing too much speed. Thanks in advance for all opinions.

 

[bobhol]

Bump

 

[flyingscott]

This is a case where you need to learn how to drive your boat at low speeds. A little bit of practise goes a long way there is no magic prop for that.

 

[bobhol]

Haha. Yup , you may be right but I have a pontoon boat and an aluminum fishing boat and they seem to respond fine for docking. This deck boat has a tower and Bimini canvas that catches the wind. It is also broadsided which doesn’t help. On a calm day I have no problems but any type of wind catches the boat. Engaging the drive has no effect at idle . I have to get it to 1200 rpm or so to get response. My pontoon responds at idle and is much easier to manoeuvre ...

 

[Texasmark]

Take a trolling motor location as an example of what I am saying. Put it on the stern and anything will blow the bow around and you can't "push" the stern around well enough to control things.

Put the trolling motor on the bow and you can "drag" the boat anywhere you want.

Apply that to your toon. Back around...like if you are trying to get into a stall, line up a few stalls down as close to the outer piers/docks as feels comfortable to you but close...a few feet..... and back down the row till you come to your stall... keep backing until the bow of the toon lines up where is room for you to "push" it in.

Turn the helm hard over (CW if you were backing with slots on the Starboard side) shift to F quickly, goose it, and immediately back to N. If you don't quite make it, spin the helm all the way CCW, shift to R and goose it....immediately back to F as you are spinning the helm CW.....one more goose and you should be in the slot.

 

[Faztbullet]

Your fighting a sail...no prop will help this. Remove Bimini canvas to lower air caching area

 

[bobhol]

Thanks for your comments. I am trying to find a way to control the boat in a windy environment. I agree the tower canvas catches the wind on the deck boat but the Bimini on my pontoon is the same. The difference is the pontoon won’t slide across the water when that happens and engaging the drive gives immediate response. The deck boat prop just doesn’t bite like the pontoon prop. I may experiment with a 4 blade or 3 blade large eared prop . I would give up a little top end to get better low speed response.

 

[QBhoy]

Hi there. As said…likely not a prop issue. Good idea to remember to keep some momentum in the boat, when coming alongside in a wind. The minute you stop moving that hull through the water, you’ve lost control in conditions like that. Keep the boat moving through the water and she will behave better. Come into the dock at almost a 45 degree angle, gradually making less of an angle as you get very near. With the boat still moving forward…just before the side of your bow might be close to hitting the dock…quickly steer hard towards the dock and a quick thrust in reverse at same time. As long as you still have enough momentum moving forward…the back end of the boat will come sideways alongside the dock….as long as your moving forward when you do this. If you are not moving…this action will only reverse you. If you are moving forward…instead of the boat moving backwards…it will move the hull sideways the way you want it to. Hope that helps.

 

[bobhol]

Hi there. As said…likely not a prop issue. Good idea to remember to keep some momentum in the boat, when coming alongside in a wind. The minute you stop moving that hull through the water, you’ve lost control in conditions like that. Keep the boat moving through the water and she will behave better. Come into the dock at almost a 45 degree angle, gradually making less of an angle as you get very near. With the boat still moving forward…just before the side of your bow might be close to hitting the dock…quickly steer hard towards the dock and a quick thrust in reverse at same time. As long as you still have enough momentum moving forward…the back end of the boat will come sideways alongside the dock….as long as your moving forward when you do this. If you are not moving…this action will only reverse you. If you are moving forward…instead of the boat moving backwards…it will move the hull sideways the way you want it to. Hope that helps.

 

[bobhol]

I read your post three times and it is starting to make sense .lol.I will practice that in mild conditions to make sure I have the sequence correct and then I will "brave the breeze ".....Thanks for the response ...