Advice docking a boat with throttle mounted down low?

[Bill_Giles]

There are those who will operate the low down throttle with a knee or foot. The guy who taught me the sail thought that was dangerous. When I asked what to do in an emergency when one wanted to steer and operate the throttle at the same time he suggested either enrolling in ballet classes or operate the boat at a speed where there will be no need of emergency throttle handling.

[keyspc]

On my Bombay 31ph the cockpit controls are only a couple of inches above deck.
I simply use my foot.
No need to complicate things!

[Auspicious]

Originally Posted by kayakerChuck

My O'Day 30 has the controls just above the deck. They are pretty easy to operate with my foot, but it does take a bit of practice.

This is the answer for me. I usually lean over and shift by hand, but throttle with my foot.

Originally Posted by Stu Jackson

Now we know why folks can't drive stick shifts anymore.

What folks? My F250SD V10 long bed extended cab has a 5 speed. I push a snow plow with it. Shifting is easy. It's running the blade with my knee that takes some work.

[lambrettaman]

Originally Posted by TrentePieds

Start a campaign to have boat factories take a leaf from the book of the designers of such magnificent conveyances as, say, the 1957 Lambretta motor scooter.

I own 5 Lambrettas and I like your thinking.

[Bill_Giles]

Bavaria 36 has a combined throttle/gear lever which is right to hand through the wheel. The only issue I have with it is that it has a poor indent and it is hard to feel when it is in neutral. However its instruments etc are low down and not easy to see.

[MVDarlin]

Yes. Not well designed but common. Get the boat headed to the dock with enough weigh to get you there and put the engine to idle and the tranny in neutral. Also, make sure the controls are well lubed and friendly.

[Buzzman]

I had a longish dinghy that would sit seriously 'bow up' if I did not 'trim forward' my weight when motoring solo.
As the motor was an ancient Seagull with a lever-type throttle way back on the short tiller, and a clutch/gearshift underneath the powerhead, it was dman hard to control even if I had an extension pole on the end of the tiller.
So I had a bike shop make me up a longer throttle cable, and moved the throttle to the end of the tiller extension (3ft extension), then I rigged up a standard Bowden push-pull cable from a motorboat to operate the clutch/shifter, and then I could stand up, trim out, control the motor and steer, all while coming alongside ot motoring anywhere.
Only tight turns were an issue as the end of the (now long) tiller hung over the side of the boat, but I got around that by pushing it up over my head so I could still turn sharply with the end of the tiller 'inside the boat'.
Not quite the same issues as docking a larger sailboat, but the principles are the same. Hope that is useful..

[Hog Wild]

Originally Posted by belizesailor

That would be a novel arrangement on a sailboat, but as you say: there is little new under the sun...the folks at Yamaha figured out tiller mounted engine controls some time ago. Now just need to adapt them to a sailboat tiller!

Attachment 243660

Now that's an idea. Make it so.

[JC Reefer]

To the original OP. Most of the work can be done with your foot. Only when I’m backing into the slip am I using my hand in a sitting position. Looking backwards makes this position work nicely.

[olivert]

Our Twister had a low mounted engine control and a long keel. it really boils down to forward thinking and practice - you can do it and you will become a better boat handler

[Ekeno]

I have sailed in different sailboats with the engine control to starboard and low. I always wondered if the builders actually sailed in a crosswind harbor.
Now I have a Jeanneau 469 and I can't stop thinking about a way to move the command, but there is little space to starboard of the steering wheel where it would be optimal. I have scrapped the electronic commands.
If someone managed to reinstall. Welcome.

[Janjorem]

I owned a Jeanneau with this configuration never had a problem using it. I now have a C-Yacht with throttle on the pedestal and that fine too. You just have to get used to it. I many times moved the throttle with my food. No problem at all.

[Auspicious]

Originally Posted by Ekeno

Now I have a Jeanneau 469 and I can't stop thinking about a way to move the command, but there is little space to starboard of the steering wheel where it would be optimal. I have scrapped the electronic commands.
If someone managed to reinstall. Welcome.

Whatever you do, don't relocate so you have to reach through the wheel.

[rslifkin]

Originally Posted by Auspicious

Whatever you do, don't relocate so you have to reach through the wheel.

Agreed. It should be reachable over or around the wheel so you don't lose the ability to move the rudder while shifting or adjusting throttle.

[Dean.hupp]

I have a tillered Islander28. I repositioned my control to near the top of the cockpit combing with a single lever made for sailboats by Spinlock. The lever is removable so whilst sailing it doesn’t get in the way of lines. It accepts winch handles for the lever!!

Spinlock Flush Mount Throttle Control Unit