its always fun backing into a 9'11" slip...

[tomcat rio]

with a 9'9" beam in a 30' wide creek with 15 knot cross wind.
...
I/O's and outboards are for kids.


http://static.flickr.com/82/247470866_5101b29389_b.jpg

[Denis]

Funny to hear about your getting into and out of a narrow slip. I too have an interesting slip. I have a boat parked exactly one boat length in front of me. If it wern't for my bow thruster there is no way for me to get out. On the way in I can manuver with the transmission but not on the way out. I have a guy here that thinks that because I use my bow thruster I am not a good skipper. Of course he has twins on his boat and no boat parked in front of him but what the heck. I just let his comments roll off my back. If I could figure out the picture thing here I would post some pictures but ...

[chiefrcd]

I love my bow thruster...regardless of what others may think..besides, guys like that are just jealous.

[DougSea]

I love my bow thruster...regardless of what others may think..besides, guys like that are just jealous.

You know it! Tell the guy with the twins to try backing in to his slip on one engine!

[tomcat rio]

...without the thruster..

the guys in the big trawlers with the little single inboard 120 hp ford lehmans and no thrusters have my respect.

[zelatore]

Actually, having run a few mid-30' CHB's, Marine Traders, and Albins, I almost find them easier to handle single-screw than the 28TE. They usually have a full keel and weigh quite a bit more so the bow doesn't seem to blow around as much.

Granted, I've only got a handfull of hours on those boats.

[jcollins]

In my earlier posts you will read about my backing perils. The switch from i/o to inboard was dramatic. One thing I learned was to take my time, don't get nervous, ignore the "experts" that are standing around, and use a spring line. It may not be cool, but it get's me in the slip.
We stopped at the River Watch last week. Everyone was backed into the slips. Since they had nice finger piers I just drifted in bow first, tied up and hopped off the boat. A spring line will keep the anchor away from the pier. No problem getting in or out. On one side of me was a 42' Formula. Really nice go-boat. The guy looked over and said "nice boat".