| When learning the nuances your new cruiser, don't | | | | the transmission in reverse and slowly increase throttle |
| forget about the aspect of the boat under power. It's | | | | to half. Notice the side in which the dock lines tighten |
| not a car and leaving from a crowded marina or | | | | up. The boat will want to walk toward the direction of |
| maneuvering in a tight anchorage can be harrowing if | | | | the slack lines if untied. |
| you're not used to how the boat operates under | | | | There are many variables that control the way |
| power. | | | | different boats handle under power. Even boats of the |
| One of the main things to understand is that a cruising | | | | same make and model may have their own |
| sailboat under engine power has quite a bit of stern | | | | characteristics and it will just take time before you |
| swing in turns. This means, if you don't compensate for | | | | understand its nuances and feel confident when |
| this swing and you're making a tight turn with the dock | | | | steering. The prudent thing to do (and of course is just |
| or another boat next to you, you could very well crash | | | | good seamanship) is to always take it slow in marinas |
| the stern into that object. So when you're still getting | | | | and crowded ports. |
| the feel of driving the boat under power, calculate your | | | | Boats don't have brakes like cars either so the |
| turns and stern swings. Make sure you have enough | | | | momentum of a moving 35 foot cruiser is eye-opening |
| clearance before you start the turn. Pretty soon, you'll | | | | to some first time sailors. When coming into your slip, |
| be making turns without even thinking about it. But use | | | | nice and easy is the rule. Idle in even putting the |
| caution early on. | | | | transmission in neutral to control speed. I typically am in |
| The propeller also has an effect and on most boats | | | | neutral as I'm making the turn into the slip and will put |
| contributes to a condition called "prop walk". You will | | | | the transmission into reverse as I'm lining up. A tap on |
| notice this more when backing out of a slip. The boat | | | | the throttle to stop the momentum is usually done and |
| will want to "walk" to the direction of the prop rotation. | | | | more throttle as I want to stop the boat completely in |
| It can be excessive on some boats, particularly older | | | | the slip. Don't forget to take wind and tide into |
| models so on your first time leaving the dock or | | | | consideration as well and compensate accordingly. |
| backing out of any tight space, be aware that this may | | | | With time and experience you'll gain the confidence |
| happen. Its best to go really slow when backing out | | | | necessary to drive under power like it was second |
| and have a crew member safely be ready to guide | | | | nature. Driving your car took time to learn as well so |
| the boat away if the walk pushes the hull too close. A | | | | don't get frustrated and know that you'll soon be |
| way to safely learn your boats walk characteristics is | | | | steering as well as any of the salty old dogs down the |
| to do it in the slip with the boat tied with dock lines. Put | | | | slip! |