Reverse Question

[speedrulz]

I have an 86 Bayliner Capri. Its got the V-8 with the Volvo 275 (I think thats the number).
Anyways, I know the smart tabs will help with the bow wonder, but what can I do with the reversing? Backing off of the trailer is merely spinning as soon as I put it down in reverse.
Is there anything I can do or add to keep from turning when I put it in reverse? Also, reverse takes so long to actually start pulling back, any ideas?

Thanks

 

[Bondo]

Re: Reverse Question

Ayuh,... It's a Boat,... Not a Car....

Go play with it, 'n Learn how to drive a Boat...

 

[JoLin]

Re: Reverse Question

Practice, practice. Bond-o already hit on the biggest challenge. Virtually no 'traction', so there's no immediate response to steering and throttle input.

Understand the dynamics of a propeller in the water.

When you put it in forward gear, the prop will both propel your boat forward, AND push your stern to starboard. Reverse has the opposite effect. At the same time, wind and current are moving you, too.

In the case of a sterndrive or outboard, you can at least correct for those tendencies by turning the wheel.

Get out in some open water and play with it. Toss a PFD into the water and practice approaching and backing down on it at low speed. You'll learn how to compensate.

When approaching anything (a dock or another boat, say) the key is that you don't approach it any faster then you're willing to hit it. Slow, slow, slow.

Good luck!

 

[07FourWinns]

Re: Reverse Question

We have a similar problem with our boat. When you back it theres not really anything you can do to make it go where you want it to. You can turn the wheel all you want but all that does is make the entire boat drift sideways. I believe its b/c our boat is just 18ft long, not much boat in the water.

 

[ziggy]

Re: Reverse Question

i've had a little luck with short bursts in rev.
if i remember right. starboard is the direction that's hard to go. with the drive turned starboard, a short bust, not heavy throttle, then back to neu. to see the reaction may be able to get you to motivate starboard in reverse. port don't have the same problem. the inefficiency of a prop in rev. + the torque are what your trying to overcome. the small short bust is to get you motivated backward, the neu. to stop the torque of the prop + then the rudder can act w/o the torque of the prop to go to starboard..

as for reversing off the trailer? i've never had to do that. maybe put the boat deeper in the water and float it off w/ lines attached.
not that it matters. but a roller trailer sure makes a launch easy. in my case. i just give it a push and off it comes. no eng. necessary.

i've never heard anything bad about smart tabs. but i wonder since they are always deployed. it seems to me that just can't help reverse. the tabs would be trying to drag the stern down it would seem to me. or act as a break scooping water up to the stern.. ?
good luck with your practice...

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Reverse Question

Anyways, I know the smart tabs will help with the bow wonder, but what can I do with the reversing? Backing off of the trailer is merely spinning as soon as I put it down in reverse.

I have a simple fix for you... You NEED to back in deeper. A boat should come off a trailer either by itself or with just a easy push or a very light touch on the throttle.

Most people when learning about boating usually back in too deep, but in this case, it isn't enough. There is no hard and fast rule either about how far to go, as it varies with the angle of the ramp. A general guideline for a bowrider on a bunk trailer is to go until the fenders of the trailer are just above the waterline.

 

[speedrulz]

Re: Reverse Question

Thanks for the responses. I know the dynamics of the propeller and how it works. I just notice some boats hit the reverse and they seem to get more of a response then I get out of mine. I know the differences in the boats is probably majority of that but I didn't know if there was something that could be added to help. Something to help keep it straight or straighter anyways.
Again, thanks for the responses.

 

[LazyCruiser]

Re: Reverse Question

I've read that 4 blade props are easier to maneuver around the dock.
Even I, a clueless newbie, do okay backing in w/a 4 blade.

 

[rwidman]

Re: Reverse Question

Ayuh,... It's a Boat,... Not a Car....

Go play with it, 'n Learn how to drive a Boat...

My suggestion is to go out with an experienced boater for some help. In many areas, you can hire a "captain" for $50 per hour or so. Just a couple hours with an experienced captain (and teacher) will be better than hundreds of posts on a website or many hours of wandering around on the water trying to figure it out himself.

 

[PrinceValium]

Re: Reverse Question

My 4 blade seems to work great at the dock...I have no issues with maneuvering my 18'6 ski boat around.

 

[rbh]

Re: Reverse Question

I have an 86 Bayliner Capri. Its got the V-8 with the Volvo 275 (I think thats the number).
Anyways, I know the smart tabs will help with the bow wonder, but what can I do with the reversing? Backing off of the trailer is merely spinning as soon as I put it down in reverse.
Is there anything I can do or add to keep from turning when I put it in reverse? Also, reverse takes so long to actually start pulling back, any ideas?

Thanks

OK, so if I am reading this right, you have an issue with a smart tab that is lower in the water than the other.
So when you are backing up the one smart tab digs in and the boat has a tendincy to pivot on that point????

Adjust both tabs the same, or replace the ram that is giving you the issue.
just a guesstament
all boats will pull in the direction of the props spin, but it sounds as if you do have something a little more than that.

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: Reverse Question

I use reverse to stop forward momentum at the same time kick the transom one way or the other to parallel the dock.
I also use it back off the trailer during buisy times when I need immediate control of my boat.
I use it to depart from the dock and then again it's just to kick out my transom out so I can swing around.

 

[Adjuster]

Re: Reverse Question

4 blade prop greatly improved my reversing and steering. Make sure you adjust your pitch if you go 4 blade. It is a little different over regular 3 blade.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Reverse Question

"I use reverse to stop forward momentum" one of the worst statements i have ever read on iboats. REVERSE IS NOT A BRAKE!!!! do not depend on it to stop forward motion.

here is an excellent example: http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=444762

 

[PrinceValium]

Re: Reverse Question

"I use reverse to stop forward momentum" one of the worst statements i have ever read on iboats. REVERSE IS NOT A BRAKE!!!! do not depend on it to stop forward motion.

here is an excellent example: http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=444762

Obviously that guy was a complete idiot! I am new to boating too but know common sense. I myself have used reverse too but only when I am slowly coasting to the dock. I only do it if I misjudged my coast to the dock a bit.

Other times have been when coasting into the shore and trying to stay clear of the rocks when dropping off the family and anchoring at our camping site.

 

[rwidman]

Re: Reverse Question

"I use reverse to stop forward momentum" one of the worst statements i have ever read on iboats. REVERSE IS NOT A BRAKE!!!! do not depend on it to stop forward motion.

If you have, or have ever had a single screw inboard, you are familiar with the technique of turning the boat in tight quarters by putting the helm over to one side, giving a quick burst on the throttle in forward to move the stern sideways, and then shifting to reverse and giving a quick burst on the throttle to stop forward motion. This proceedure is known as "back and fill". Properly done, the boat can be turned in a little more than it's length.

 

[Fisherball]

Re: Reverse Question

I thought a reverse question was in Yoda talk! "My boat, to back-up, how do I?"