|
Post by bettina on Aug 13, 2017 9:22:02 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 Spot on Mr. Dogless ^^^ and it works the exact same with a Wide Beam (or at least it does with ours) 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.... not trying to teach you how to suck eggs or anything, and you probably know this already, but if you've got a bad back and trying to pull the boat in with the centre line, wrap the line once around your bum and lean back into it, rather than using your back, shoulders & arms. Much easier and way less pain and effort.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Reversing
Aug 13, 2017 9:31:45 GMT
via mobile
Post by Deleted on Aug 13, 2017 9:31:45 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 Spot on Mr. Dogless ^^^ and it works the exact same with a Wide Beam (or at least it does with ours) 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.... not trying to teach you how to suck eggs or anything, and you probably know this already, but if you've got a bad back and trying to pull the boat in with the centre line, wrap the line once around your bum and lean back into it, rather than using your back, shoulders & arms. Much easier and way less pain and effort. Thanks, yes I've been doing that for a while now and it does help a lot.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 13, 2017 10:09:04 GMT
It's seldom you get ideal conditions when reversing, but when it happens, you feel like a boss. I reversed down the saltisford arm a couple of years ago (with no fenders down), for a bottle of gas. The panic and sheer horror I created amongst the shiny moorers was classic. I never touched one of them, although several were willing me to do so 🤣 for a good rant. Forgot to tell them I'd been boating for 30 yeeeeears.
|
|
|
Post by peterboat on Aug 13, 2017 13:19:28 GMT
I regular reverse out from my mooring buildings one side trees the other and the wind normally blowing onto the bow towards the wheelhouse, I get up that bit under those conditions straight as a dia. However at Stanley Ferry I had no chance wind from the side and strong how I didnt hit anything I will never know but the J turn at the end missing the dutch barge was spectacular even if I do say so myself
|
|