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Post by sandk on Aug 12, 2017 13:52:41 GMT
We don't own a boat yet but are getting close to being owners. We hire two or three times a year and I think I'm fairly competent at steering, reversing is a different matter though, the few times I've tried it I've made a real pigs ear of it. I'd like to go on a helmsmans course to try and master it. We live in East Anglia, is there anywhere local'ish that I could contact to do a days training?
any advice on reversing would be much appreciated.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 12, 2017 14:14:40 GMT
I can only speak about narrow boats, but I've found that each and every boat I have been on, responds slightly differently in reverse. Very little steerage in reverse, so correcting your line must be done in forward gear, and reversing done when your line is right (ish). Whilst waiting for locks, I do a lot of practise reversing even now, and as Gary Player is credited with saying "The more practice I do, the luckier I get". I can't help with training days in East Anglia, but I do believe money spent on training, is money well spent, even if it's only in confidence building. And never forget the golden rule of manoeuvring. ......... All will go splendidly provided no one is watching Rog
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Post by JohnV on Aug 12, 2017 15:06:15 GMT
A few boats reverse beautifully some are passable some can be reversed with care and practice some are like Sabina H ...... Bloody diabolical
If you have one of the really bad ones then no training or practice will make it go straight ........ just help you to learn how not to hit things too hard
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Post by naughtyfox on Aug 12, 2017 15:15:31 GMT
If the wind and water are really still then you may find a slight change of direction in reversing when using the tiller/rudder. But let's face it, this is not going to happen, is it?
What to do if you want to go back, eg. in a marina, so you don't knock into other boats? Engage reverse gear if your boat's back end is pointing the right way. Go gently - or put on full revs if you think you can make a straight line, and the momentum/mass will keep shoving in that general direction. When it starts going astray, forwards gear and turn that tiller so you turn the nose of the boat where you want it to be pointing so you can slam reverse in again.
It is counter-productive having to slow the boat down and stop it by 'going forwards' but that's the only way you're gonna get the nose to swing round.
Wind can seriously bollox it all up, so in tricky places go slow and be prepared to touch other boats with your hands to keep yours from clanging against them.
I wouldn't waste money on a "helmsman's course" - they don't know where you'll be going, do they? I often see many people use far too much power, splashing around like a salmon out of water. You can also reverse by just touching boats and giving a tug - it's amazing how little effort you need to get 13 tonnes moving on water.
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Post by peterboat on Aug 12, 2017 16:45:27 GMT
Ask Quaysider about my reversing and turning skills!! Thats all I can say about the matter
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Post by naughtyfox on Aug 12, 2017 17:02:42 GMT
Yes, but we are talking about reversing a long distance as in a marina, not just doing a U-turn.
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Reversing
Aug 12, 2017 18:21:50 GMT
via mobile
Post by Jim on Aug 12, 2017 18:21:50 GMT
What's the problem? I have an outboard, just point it where I want to go😎. I hired a NB and had to reverse into a finger mooring in Llangollen. I'd read up on it and did as suggested, while reversing give it a blast of forwards with tiller had over to shove the stern in the right direction, then into reverse with straight tiller. I don't think it came to a stop going backwards, just slowed a bit. For long reverses I've heard of using a drag weight off the bow.
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Post by Mr Stabby on Aug 12, 2017 18:39:40 GMT
My boat is prepared to go backwards, but only where she wants to go, it is impossible to steer her in reverse in any meaningful way. Waggling the tiller helps a bit, but only a bit, the boat pole is pretty much the most essential piece of kit when reversing.
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Post by quaysider on Aug 12, 2017 19:30:20 GMT
Ask Quaysider about my reversing and turning skills!! Thats all I can say about the matter Ha ha... I DO have a video of it if proof be needed lol... BUT has already been said, reversing is easy... until a) a grasshopper farts nearby and pushes you off course or b) ANYONE is watching lol I reversed onto a pontoon in the Centre of Leeds (Granry Wharf) last Saturday with loads of people watching and all went well... until the last moment when aforementioned grasshopper farted and slapped me into some friendly Australians ... they didn't care - and (ahem) I'd had a gin so neither did I!
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Post by sandk on Aug 12, 2017 20:02:40 GMT
I'm glad it's not just me. We hired from Gailey the last time, north through Stone heading for Stoke, can't remember the bridge number we stopped close to but we didn't have a TV signal, and the missus wanted to watch something that evening after coming back from the pub, I tried to reverse the damn thing past two moored boats and got it all shapes. A friendly boater near by saw what a muddle I was in and reversed it back for us, he seemed to have no problem doing it.
Not a lot of drink was taken, so I don't think that was the problem.
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Post by quaysider on Aug 13, 2017 7:12:16 GMT
I'm glad it's not just me. We hired from Gailey the last time, north through Stone heading for Stoke, can't remember the bridge number we stopped close to but we didn't have a TV signal, and the missus wanted to watch something that evening after coming back from the pub, I tried to reverse the damn thing past two moored boats and got it all shapes. A friendly boater near by saw what a muddle I was in and reversed it back for us, he seemed to have no problem doing it. Not a lot of drink was taken, so I don't think that was the problem.That hit the nail on the head I think... NOT ENOUGH DRINK was taken... I moor much better when relaxed by a tipple... when I'm sober, I TRY too hard and over think - with a glass or two in me, I'm more relaxed and it happens intuitively. This would not apply to the car.
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Post by patty on Aug 13, 2017 7:21:45 GMT
We don't own a boat yet but are getting close to being owners. We hire two or three times a year and I think I'm fairly competent at steering, reversing is a different matter though, the few times I've tried it I've made a real pigs ear of it. I'd like to go on a helmsmans course to try and master it. We live in East Anglia, is there anywhere local'ish that I could contact to do a days training? any advice on reversing would be much appreciated. Don't waste your money on helmsman course..you won't get that much reversing to make any difference...I did 2 and yeah got me going on handling boats but I gained far more knowledge and insight when I owned mine. I used to practise reversing down long stretch quiet canal just to see how she handled.... Remember though wind etc affects steering as does sightseers..just practise when u get your boat..you'll be fine. I used to love 'hovering' waiting for locks practising getting her just so...
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Post by naughtyfox on Aug 13, 2017 7:33:15 GMT
The disadvantage with 'hovering' is that the gearbox and clutch suffer with putting it in forwards & reverse the whole time. If not an undercurrent, the wind will turn you almost always.
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Post by JohnV on Aug 13, 2017 7:40:07 GMT
The disadvantage with 'hovering' is that the gearbox and clutch suffer with putting it in forwards & reverse the whole time. If not an undercurrent, the wind will turn you almost always. "Hovering" in the river Hull waiting for the A165 traffic to be stopped so they could open the bridge for me might have been causing wear to the gearbox and clutch ........................ but I can assure you there was a damn sight more wear to my nerves
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Reversing
Aug 13, 2017 8:42:46 GMT
via mobile
Post by Deleted on Aug 13, 2017 8:42:46 GMT
I line up the boat to point the way I want to go backwards, then slowly reverse until it starts heading the wrong way. Then it's a case of putting it in forward gear to realign the boat and start again. When possible it's much easier to use ropes....or a bow thruster (which I haven't got). Speaking of handling skills. If you don't hover at locks and bring the boat into the lock landing, has anyone found a way to stop the boat so it is nicely lined up with the mooring posts? My back is not good these days so any method which reduces having to pull the boat backwards or inwards with ropes would be helpful. I've tried different techniques but any use of the prop near the side of the canal usually causes the wash to push the stern out again. ...and I've been doing this on and off for many years....
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