Wheel Steering "pressure" under power ?

[OldManMirage]

Ok, I need a little feedback.

We just splashed our Endeavour 32. After getting the engine up and running, at the end of the day we moved her over to a different dock not far from the launch slings. So I have not really motored far or fast yet, not much above idle except for a moment at perhaps 1/2 to 3/4 throttle.

While motoring I did glance at the knotmeter and she was somewhere between 4 and 5 knots. What I noticed while holding a straight course was that I had to use a little pressure to the right to hold her on course. The wheel was straight, the course was straight, but it felt like I had to hold her there. As if she wasn't balanced perhaps ?

Of course we haven't sailed her yet, so I can't report on any characteristics there. But I wondered if anyone else experiences something similar ? Is it just pressure from prop wash perhaps, something I'll get used to ?

Thanks in advance.

[goboatingnow]

Not unusual

[boatman61]

Prop rotation trying to turn boat bringing pressure on rudder.. nothing unusual. You feel the same with a tiller.

[Knotical]

You are experiencing prop wash.

[GordMay]

As others have noted ...

Prop walk [Torque Steering, or “asymmetric blade thrust”], the tendency of a turning propeller to push a boat’s stern sideways, can be a real nuisance, when maneuvering under power.
Or it can be your biggest ally. The trick is to understand it, anticipate it, and make it work for you.
A right-handed prop tends to make the bow move to the left (port) and the stern to the right (starboard) when going forward . In reverse, the effect is reversed: the bow tends to starboard and stern tends to port.

There's numerous informative discussions, on the subject, including:
➥ https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums...vice-1462.html
➥ https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums...p-walk-37.html
➥ https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums...-207312-2.html
➥ https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums...ures-6668.html

[gamayun]

Yeah, I posted this question on CF too when I first got my boat. Don't let go of the wheel or it goes into a circle whichever way your prop tends to walk (mine goes to port in forward). Likewise, in reverse motor, keep an even stronger hold so you don't lose control of the wheel and dump the keel hard over. You'll find out how good your keel stops are because it'll dig into your bottom paint at its stopping point and is just a shock to the system the first time it happens when trying to dock stern in. Ask me how I know...

[meirriba]

I agree to the comments above but with a caveat.
If your prop is in front of the rudder, the propwalk in forward motion exist but should be very slight, (of course very noticable in reverse) .
So - it will be impossible to give you precise answer on the forum.
I would advice to ask aboard someone with experience on a similar boat, or you yourself go and try manouvering similar vessel.

[geoff3nebel]

+ Gord May.
At max revs especially, if I let go the wheel I swing immediately to starboard.

[nortonscove]

Prop wash totally dependant on the direction of the propeller turn. Usually easiest way to ensure is to go for a sail. It should disappear.

[Boatyarddog]

Originally Posted by gamayun

Yeah, I posted this question on CF too when I first got my boat. Don't let go of the wheel or it goes into a circle whichever way your prop tends to walk (mine goes to port in forward). Likewise, in reverse motor, keep an even stronger hold so you don't lose control of the wheel and dump the keel hard over. You'll find out how good your keel stops are because it'll dig into your bottom paint at its stopping point and is just a shock to the system the first time it happens when trying to dock stern in. Ask me how I know...

I have to assume you mean to say rudder in place of keel?
And, why do you not have rudder stops in place at your quadrant or tiller.
Your rudder should not use the hull as a stop.
Boatyarddog

[gamayun]

Originally Posted by Boatyarddog

I have to assume you mean to say rudder in place of keel?

And, why do you not have rudder stops in place at your quadrant or tiller.

Your rudder should not use the hull as a stop.

Boatyarddog

Oh geez. Thanks for catching me with morning brain. That's what I get when I try to post when I'm just waking up. Yes, I did mean rudder and the stops are built as a part of the boat not on the quadrant but it is the quadrant that hits the stops. Anyway, for whatever reason, if the rudder slams hard over, it scratches the bottom paint so there is now 2-inch spacer at the stops. Maybe not the correct fix (or the reason for the problem) but seems to work fine.