Backing out

[Hurricane cruiser]

Hey everyone!, I am seeking for some advice. I've been boating for a year now. I've been out maybe 15 times (Hurricane sundeck boat). This has to do with backing out of my slip. My canal has a large bend in it with boats everywhere. I am at the bend, so when I back out I have to back straight out with a dock and slip behind me. I am on the right side of the canal. I back out starboard to the shore and pull forward ( normally). It's a right sided prop so as I put it in reverse the stern kicks to the port side and the bow goes starboard. As I back up there is a boat slip behind me and the bow always wants to swing and hit the dock behind me. I read that this is what happens with a right turning prop. This is especially bad when the current is going down stream and I always have to push off the dock beside me. What would you guys do? Can I overcome the kick some how. Do I need to rev it up in reverse more. I need the bow to go to the port side with little to no room backing up. I do have room to backout and do a 360 as when I come in I have to turn around 180. Thanks in advance if this ends up going anywhere!

 

[alldodge]

Howdy

As I back up there is a boat slip behind me

Single screw with single prop will just do what your experiencing. Backing out faster can keep the bow from swinging so much but moving faster can create more damage upon impact.

I need the bow to go to the port side with little to no room backing up

I do have room to backout and do a 360

These two are giving me mixed signals.

The backing is just a problem, you can either have it pulling out of the slip, or if you back into the slip then the issue is opposite. You would be able to bump it in and back out of gear to keep it going straight, but with the current your still going to go to one side. Try putting in gear, then out, then back in and continue. This will help keep you straight, but will not help with the current

 

[Horigan]

Have you tried backing in to the slip so you can exit going forward?

 

[dingbat]

Much easier to back into a slip than back out.

 

[southkogs]

Are you in an I/O or an outboard? I've found I/Os don't maneuver close in as well as an outboard will (personal opinion - not scientific fact) ...

Welcome aboard.

 

[Hurricane cruiser]

Thanks for the replies! The picture I attached should help. It looks like there is a lot of room there but it never seems that way. I think I need to give go faster now in reverse and further back before I turn. I will put it back in forward to try and keep myself straight. I am sure it will just take a lot of practice for me, a lot. It is an outboard engine. Would the trim help at all.. I always have it all the way down.. thank you again!

 

[rallyart]

Trim down gives much better control. You have enough room there to turn around but if it is awkward have you ever thought of pushing the boat our by hand and turning it while you stand on the end of the dock? Moving a boat floating is not a lot of work if you just take your time and do it slowly.
Is the current constant?

 

[southkogs]

Looks and sounds like ya' just need to practice and relax. You probably need to work some on getting the current and the outboard working together in your favor But keeping a paddle or docking hook handy for a little while might give you some "fall-back" leverage while you work on it.

 

[BigDfromTN]

Have you thought of, or tried using a spring line on your port side?

 

[Maranvin]

I'd try the spring line on a cleat or a pole.

 

[Boydski]

The picture I attached should help. It looks like there is a lot of room there but it never seems that way.

I ran a large, single screw trawler that backed to the right for years. In a situation like yours, I would put the engine in reverse for a few seconds, then go to neutral to get the boat slowly moving astern. Once the stern of the vessel is clear of the dock (the forward part is still half way in the slip), turn the rudder (or outboard) to the right and pop the engine into forward for a few seconds to kick the stern to the left. The bow will move toward the right side pier, but the flare of the bow means you have lots of room to maneuver. Center the outboard and engage the engine in reverse to get the boat moving astern again.

Once the bow is clear of the dock, you should be able to position the outboard to the left, and pull the boat's stern away while reversing away from your neighbor's dock. If you still feel like you're getting too close to the other dock, you can use the back and fill technic (outboard turned right, forward for a few seconds) to kick the stern to the left, then astern to continue backing out. That is the method large, single screw vessels use for close maneuvering. It allows a large vessel to turn completely around in a tight fairway.

Good Luck,

 

[KnotConnected]

I'll second (or third?) the suggestion of trying a "warping" technique with a spring line. Kick the drive all the way over and use it to pivot out.

(Disclaimer: I still can't run my boat either)

 

[Captain Caveman]

Find a gorgeous blond who wants to go on a boat ride. Have her help guide the boat.