New boat owner, Reversing in boat opposite as car?

[dkorzun21]

quick questions Im a new boat own and only have takin my bout out once this year. Was just wonder when a I/O boat is in reverse is it the same as a car or opposite? Please help had alot of trouble reversing out of the dock last weekend. Any help would be great. Please just dont tell me to practice and Ill get it want to make sure I know kinda how to do it so I dont mess my boat up. Thanks Dave

1989 Larson open bow dc 190

 

[cpubud]

Re: New boat owner, Reversing in boat opposite as car?

yes in a boat you are pushing or pulling the back of the boat. as oposed to a car where you are steering the front.

 

[Blaze5509]

Re: New boat owner, Reversing in boat opposite as car?

yes in a boat you are pushing or pulling the back of the boat. as oposed to a car where you are steering the front.

I am no "Captain" but when I turn my wheel to the left (or right) and hit reverse it backs up in the same direction as if you are backing a car. It does not react quite the same because boats have a much sharper turn radius.

Now when backing your trailer...now thats a whole nother story. lol. Although not too experienced I am pretty efficient about backing either boat or trailer.

I know you said you don't want to hear it but find a nice cove and backup a little bit, pull in and out of a spot a feew times and you'll eventually get it.

The other tricky thing is that boats have poor turning ability when travelling at low speeds, and typically when reversing it is at low speeds.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: New boat owner, Reversing in boat opposite as car?

the boat will follow the motor in reverse. Makes backnig an outboard easy b/c you can see it. However the steering wheel gets confusing when you are standing facing backwards with the wheel behind you.

Remember, going forward, the stern swings, not the bow--unlike a car. This is why newbies hit docks on their way out. Also, when you shift into gear the boat heads that way, so be sure your rudder (motor) is facing the right direction before you put it in gear.

I dented my dad's car when he let me backout of the driveway before I could drive b/c I had been drivnig boats for several years and didn't know the bow of the car would swing. It did, against a concrete post. I also learned that day that unlike boats, you can't just travel down the piling you're against with no harm done.

 

[26aftcab454]

Re: New boat owner, Reversing in boat opposite as car?

in reverse- you have to know what direction the prop is facing- and thats the direction it will pull the *** end of the boat- really- reading about it and doing it are not the same- go out and try it in a secluded area where you will not tear anything up . remember to go -slow -in -and -out -of -gear.
throw out something that floats and practice backing up to it.
YOU CAN DO IT!!!