Message: 4 Date: Thu, 18 Jul 2013 12:24:03 -0400 From: "Marek Dziedzic" <dziedzi...@hotmail.com> To: <cnc-list@cnc-list.com> Subject: Re: Stus-List C&C 30 MK1 backing help Message-ID: <blu177-ds62368ea68d0b1f3e08d17ce...@phx.gbl> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" I find that the prop walk is more prominent if you keep low revs in reverse (and the transmission engaged). To the point that if I reverse at very low speed (idle) with the transmission in reverse the boat goes straight back even if the rudder is all the way to starboard (the prop walk and the rudder action cancel each other out). To solve this problem I don't keep the transmission in reverse; rather, I use quick "bursts of power" in reverse and disengage (alternating). this gives me enough speed to back out, eliminates the prop walk (the propeller is not turning most of the time) and the rudder action allows me to control the boat. it seems to work. Marek (in Ottawa) The same with my C&C 30. I find getting some speed up in reverse with the rudder centered, then shifting to neutral before attempting to steer works well. With low to moderate revs in reverse and the rudder turned to port the steering is quirky at best. I have an offset shaft, comes out on the port side and has a cutlass bearing. I have not seen a C&C 30 MK 1 with the shaft directly on the center line. Some notes on docking ... 1) try to determine your lowest safe speed to dock with. A starting point is in clear safe water with a representative wind and the sails in their normal dowsed state motor gently broadside to the wind and feel where you start to looses steerage or require too much helm to hold course. In my case a 6 - 10 kt crosswind ( at least at mast head ) is normal and I find 1.2 kts forward to be about as slow as I can go and keep things in hand. When docking make sure you have enough speed coming in. As others have pointed out a burst of revs at low boat speed cause prop walk and may make steerage hard. 2) I have crew train and practice at docking ( Windburn is mainly used for racing ), a bit of comfort knowing we can get back safely if I am disabled. I give the crew three points at which to do things. First is to watch the speed, about 1.4 - 1.6 kts approaching the slip. When the mast is close to lining up with the end of the finger dock they sweep into a 90 degree turn and watch the speed drop to 1.2 - 1.4 kts. This is usually done in neutral, but may be idling in forward or reverse to slightly adjust the speed. Second they need to squarely come in to the slip, lining up with the bow of boat on the far side. I find it difficult for new crew to see and try to come into the finger dock at the correct speed and angle. The third step is when the bow crosses the end of the finger dock the crew steers up into the inside corner of the dock. Most of the time the first fender just back of the shrouds eases into the dock about 3 - 5' from the outside end, someone steps off and holds the lifeline while the crew on helm steers back to center and may do a touch of reverse. I realize this is not a perfect docking technique but for someone new or in training it gives them three clear points of reference that they can relate to. 3) If the crosswind is pushing us onto the finger dock I have the crew make the turn slightly later so we start a bit further off the dock but still come in square. If a stronger wind is pushing us off the dock the turn is earlier and for the first bit it looks like we will hit the finger dock, but still I get the crew to square up. I feel getting the boat sideways, too much power or helm ends up being a bad combination with someone learning. Mike C&C 30 Windburn
_______________________________________________ This List is provided by the C&C Photo Album http://www.cncphotoalbum.com CnC-List@cnc-list.com
