prop walk

[irwinsailor]

My boat has prop walk that is incredible! What can be done to compensate for it?

[Anonymous]

I get a great prop walk in reverse, at first it bothered me, but after a couple years I've learned exactly what it's going to do at what speeds, and use it as a tool for docking that makes me look like I actually know what I'm doing.

When I pull into a new marina and the usual dock committee forms, it looks like I've missed my spot, but then kick it into reverse gently, my aft slides over to the starboard and woosh, snuggles in (much like the capt. ron docking maneuver).

[bobola]

I assume that you are talking about the prop walk when you are backing up?

Try this - goose the throttle real good when you first get into reverse and then back off a bit as soon as the boat moves into reverse and use the rudder to bring the rear end around, and then give it some more throttle.

Whenever I am backing into a tight place, I like the boat's momentum doing the work, not the prop. When the rear end is entering the slip, I'm in idle forward and ready to goose the throttle to slow and then stop the boat exactly where I want it.

And with practice, You will have the rear end pointed the opposite way just enough so that when you goose the throttle in reverse, the rear end will point where you want to go.

Backing down on a sailboat is always interesting fun!

The first time I tried it on a decent size sailboat it seemed to have a high pucker factor, as I recall...

[irwinsailor]

I know what you mean. I have tried a few ways to get this boat in and out of the slip but at 64000lbs there is little response. I don't think the boat was never made to go into a slip. I'll just need to pratice some more. I have had the boat out 5 times and two times I took off my nav lights at $100. each.

[bobola]

Nothing gets the heart rate up like docking a big boat!

Yea, 65,000 lbs is a lot of weight. I can understand how the prop can push the boat sideways for a bit while it’s also trying to push it forward.

It helps to have a loose fender available at either end of the boat ready for any potential collisions, and crew who can jump to action (with them) when the fun starts.

Does the Irwin have a big overhanging bow sprit?

[Jolly Mon]

Learning to use your prop walk will make docking easier. When approching keep it in mind and use it to your advantage. If you turn the helm opposite the walk and go between forward and reverse with short bursts of throttle you can spin a large boat around in naarrow spot. Good luck.
RCL

[irwinsailor]

Yes Irwin's have a good size bow sprit.I have a custom non standard bow sprit and it is 5'

[Jack Tar]

If you cant learn to use it as a tool then do the Bow Thruster thing.

[irwinsailor]

I will say this. If I knew how difficult this boat was to handle I would have installed a bow thruster when it was on the hard this summer. But I'm not paying all that money to have it hauled again. My plan is to live on the hook so when I get to our cruising grounds I will have no need for a bow thruster.

[Anonymous]

You may plan to live on the hook, but hauling fuel and water in gerry cans on a boat your size will be difficult. Fuel docks are generally easier to land on, but not always. The fuel dock of the marina I'm in right now has a standard size slip you've got to tuck into, for instance.

Give it time, though, practice makes perfect, or a reasonable facimile thereof.

[irwinsailor]

I understand Anonymous. I am lucky because we have a watermaker with at lease 600 gallons of tankage. We also carry 250 gallons of fuel. which shoud give us about a 1200 mile range. So I should not be getting fuel and water all that much.

[Jack Tar]

My Alberg has prop walk to the right. My slip has a finger pier on each side and is a left turn entry. It works out great. I put the bow in and just pop her into forward. She walks to the right as she enters the slip. Leaving I just walk the boat backward untill the bow clears the pier. Push off the bow and pop her into gear. The stern swings right and we are out. I have also taken her out and practiced backing up. The idea of building up headway and then placing the boat in neautral works the best. Use just the headway and rudder to control aft direction. You can also warp your way out of or into a tight spot on a dock by using the r/h torque. Take your boat out and practice using the torque to your advantage. You cant compensate for it you have to learn how to use it.

[GordMay]

Lots of good advice & encouragement on previous postings.
Just remember - GENTLY DOES IT!
As little propulsion and momentum as conditions (wind/current) will permit.
Regards,
Gord

[irwinsailor]

I think I need a bow thruster!!!! I have been using the boat when I can and it is a very difficult boat to handle in close quarters!

[John Drake]

Generally, when I have been on new boats I am not familiar with or that are difficult to handle, I go into a slip bow on. It is much easier than backing.

And, I adhere to the rule: only approach as fast as you want to hit the dock.

I take it one step at a time. I stop just before entering, judge the wind and currents and make sure I am in control of the boat. I proceed, working with the wind and current and essentially step the boat into the dock. Walk the boat forward a bit at a time, small inputs into the engine.

Hope that helps.

John