How to Back a Single-Screw to Starboard
Most single-screw powerboats are fitted with a "right-hand" propeller. In forward gear, the propeller turns clockwise when seen from astern. The boat has a slight tendency to go to port because the propeller turns on a downward angle, causing unequal blade thrust. When reversing, the more powerful downward thrust of the propeller pushes the stern to port. Backing a single-screw boat to starboard is challenging, but several techniques will work.
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Instructions
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Back and Fill
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Turn the helm over full left and hold it there. Put the throttle in forward and give the propeller a few hard turns. The discharge current from the propeller will push against the rudder and kick the stern to starboard.
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Bring the throttle to neutral before the boat begins to go forward and let the momentum continue to carry the stern to starboard.
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Repeat the forward thrust to starboard to turn farther. With some boats, you may have to really gun the engine to get the stern to move over, then back a few turns of the prop to stop forward motion.
Steering Astern
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Turn the helm full right and drop the shifter into reverse. Notice that the stern will tend to go to port.
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A powerful propeller's discharge current. Add power until you begin to have some stern way on. Ease the rudder so the boat is free to go astern, but keep enough right rudder to counteract the tendency to swing to port. Steer astern using both the throttle and helm.
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Practice with different amounts of propeller thrust, and different rudder angles, until you can control the movement of your boat astern.
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Tips & Warnings
No two boats will behave exactly the same way in reverse. You need to discover how your boat goes astern by practice -- and then more practice.
To avoid damage, practice in open water away from other boats and obstacles.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit yaughts docked image by Mograph from Fotolia.com prop wash image by guiney from Fotolia.com
