"Ferrying a Boat"

[Pelagic]

Originally Posted by FamilyVan

That isn't Advance, or Transfer or Semantics, that is the practical application of ferrying by a ferryman.

In the PNW we have a bit of current and the same technique is used daily by tug and barges, all kinds of craft, pilot boats picking up their charges in a heavy stream or underway.....
If we call it anything we describe it as sideshifting, but it is obvious and we just do it......
sometimes using the reverse prop transfer to check the stern in a down stream approach to a gangway.

Technically...All these techniques are used to control Advance and Transfer, so I stand by that statement and have had a successful marine career doing and teaching others to side shift large vessels without using the ferry term

Practical ship handling is learned on the job, not in a class room.
We agree.


Sent from my SGH-I547C using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

Semantics can be a stubborn thing.

[SkiprJohn]

Pretty common use for the term in canoeing.

[Mike OReilly]

Looks like what I used to do all the time in my canoe. Most commonly in fast or white water when wanting to cross a current, often to get into a better position for a run. I've even done this with our full keel Rafiki in current.

[Hud3]

Ferrying across a stream was a technique we used to teach white-water canoeing beginners back in the day. Works great for boats, too. I even used it for getting across the Gulf Stream from the Great Isaac Light in the Bahamas to Hollywood, Florida.

[Hudson Force]

As several have already mentioned the term "ferrying" comes from the world of whitewater canoeing and kayaking. We use this technique frequently when maneuvering in strong currents. It's less effective when the current drops to less than a knott. I've never used or heard of the term applied to a wind maneuver. There's far less attention paid to the wind compared to current in the sports involving "whitewater".