Backing up

[Veebyes2]

Approach a dock as fast as you can AFFORD to hit it.

[Jeff Lavallee]

John.
The contest at the rendezvous sounds like a good idea!! To keep things fair we should all use the same boat. Afterglow sounds like a fine vessel for such a contest!!! ( If I could figure out how to get the "twisted devil" emoticon up here I would have one at the end of this reply)

[jcollins]

John.
The contest at the rendezvous sounds like a good idea!! To keep things fair we should all use the same boat. Afterglow sounds like a fine vessel for such a contest!!! ( If I could figure out how to get the "twisted devil" emoticon up here I would have one at the end of this reply)

[Jeff Lavallee]

[elad]

I don't even try to steer when backing up. 100% bow thruster control for me. The rudder position is not important.

[RicM]

As I have posted earlier in another thread, yes the rudder is relatively useless when backing. I turn the rudder hard to port, a gentle shot of forward power starts rotating the boat counter clockwise. Then enough GENTLE reverse to stop any forward motion without totally killing the rotational momentum. A quick shot of bow thrust to Port will keep the ccw rotation going nicely. Another shot of forward power and repeat. You can turn a 28 TE 180 degrees in a 33' wide fairway using this with no problem. Amaze your friends and slip neighbors!

[Mariner]

I'd be game for a docking contest at the PNW Rendezvous. I think I could be competitive despite the boat's larger size. One disadvantage, however, would be the electronic engine controls. There is about a 1 second delay whenver you shift in or out of neutral, which translates to about a 2-3 second delay when going from forward to reverse, or vise-versa.

[jcollins]

. Amaze your friends and slip neighbors!

Mine are amazed when I make it in on the first try.
When I had to maneuver into my spot at the rendezvous last year, Sharon went below and closed the door.
Let's see...down the fairway to the end, spin 180 clock-wise, back in port-side to the bulkhead , look out for the guy at the fuel pier. Yeah, I can do that.
The owner of the 50 something clorox bottle at the fuel pier next to me was getting nervous. I told him not to worry since I had a little boat.

If everything was easy, it wouldn't be fun!

[RicM]

This thread should be re-titled, "Docking Under Pressure". I find that serene confidence is the best attitude and stately slow motion the best speed. I am never in a rush to dock. When approaching a new situation I ask advice of the dock master and tell him or her I prefer a starboard tie and that I'm going to swing by once and check the tide and breeze. As I pass the appointed spot I will often wave at the dock attendant with a $20 bill folded in my waving hand so the large number 20 faces towards them. Suddenly you have instant expert assistance. They will often board and direct and handle lines for you. At Champlain's at Block Island they will braid your docklines too!

[Veebyes2]

When it comes to dock attendants, unless I know the individual, between myself & whoever I have onboard, usually an experienced boater, I'll do it all myself thankyou very much. Rarely I'll pass the looped end of the line to somebody on the dock. I want 100% of boat control from my end.

How many keep their boats on revolving moorings? My mooring is right in front of a hotel. I can have a conversation with guests sitting on their balconys. That is close. Near 100% of the time I have to singlehand put the boat on its mooring, no matter the weather. Most of the time it is routine. They say practice makes perfect & I have done it hundreds of times day & night.

Every once in awhile it is highly entertaining for anyone sitting on those balconys. More often than not I blow it when there is no excuse i.e. when there is not much wind & the wind is from an easy direction to deal with. Other times I nail it on the first time with a 20kt plus wind blowing into the bay & boat pitching up & down. Of course nobody is outside to appreciate such skill/luck on days like that.

[Mariner]

This thread should be re-titled, "Docking Under Pressure". I find that serene confidence is the best attitude and stately slow motion the best speed. I am never in a rush to dock. When approaching a new situation I ask advice of the dock master and tell him or her I prefer a starboard tie and that I'm going to swing by once and check the tide and breeze. As I pass the appointed spot I will often wave at the dock attendant with a $20 bill folded in my waving hand so the large number 20 faces towards them. Suddenly you have instant expert assistance. They will often board and direct and handle lines for you. At Champlain's at Block Island they will braid your docklines too!

Ha! I try to avoid paying over $20 for moorage, power, and water all together. No way I'd tip some inexperienced teenager that much to screw up my perfectly planned approach!

[Ford Reese]

Thanks you for all the replys, comments and information. Fortunately for me, going bow in works best for me, especially because of the amount of wind and current I have to deal with at the City Marina in Charleston and also due to the small size of my bow thruster. I will try some of the suggestions when backing out of my slip to see if I can learn how to better control my boat when backing up.

Ford Reese - 1995 Albin 28 TE "Chambornay"

PS: For anyone who might be interested, the boat is now listed online at www.boats.com. We are thinking about moving up to the 31.

[jcollins]

Ford Reese - 1995 Albin 28 TE "Chambornay"

PS: For anyone who might be interested, the boat is now listed online at www.boats.com. We are thinking about moving up to the 31.Ford Reese
Deckhand

You are more than welcome to post in our For Sale section as well.