Reversing a V-drive boat???

[youngunz]

Maybe this is a dumb question but I am fairly new to v-drives and it seems as though whenever I look to reverse my boat, it only turns one direction (bow towards the right)...could this be due to the set-up of the boat?...any info on this would be a great help!!
Thanks,
'youngunz
2002 SAN

[Kmayotte]

Just the nature of the beast. Direct drive, v-drive...doesn't matter. They pull to one side or the either depending on whether the transmission is Left hand or Right hand.

Being able to backup an inboard in a tight spot is a true skill. I find going in and out of gear quickly and using the rudder to correct any pull helps. Something you have to learn to live with though...

[Chexi]

Yes, this is the one issue with all inboards.

If you are really good, and really lucky, you can use full rudder to the opposite way to backup the other way. It also helps if that is the way the current wants to push you. I cannot guaranty 100% success, but I have gotten my RH drive boat to back up to starboard from time to time using this method.

[SkiTower]

And you use the reverse pull direction to help dock. Mine pulls to the starboard so I come in at an angle and then put it in reverse to straighten up at the last second.

[EntiatSkier]

Its because of the rotation direction of the propeller, right?

All nautiques will go left. Master crafts will go right, as they spic the other direction...

Thats why you see nautiques parked in certain spots. so they dont have to back up so they can pull forward.

But i found in my ski nautique that once you start backing up turn the wheel all the way right, so you are trying to go right-ish but then give it a somewhat large throttle in reverse, then put it back in neutral. This will push it to the right a bit.

Another reason it does this is because the rudder is infront of the propeller in reverse. so steering has little to no effect.

Just takes time to get used too

[Chexi]

Nautiques changed their prop rotation in mid 2000s, so newer ones list to starboard, older ones list to port.

[EntiatSkier]

Nautiques changed their prop rotation in mid 2000s, so newer ones list to starboard, older ones list to port.

Oh, i did not know that. Thank you for correcting me

Any reason why?

[AirTool]

What we need is twin engines like a big fishing boat. Then put one in forward one in reverse to spin on a dime.

Or maybe bow thrusters like a work boat.

[DanielC]

Correct Craft changed from using Walters V-drives to a PCM V-drive. The Walters V-drives had right hand propeller rotation, (pulls port, or left in reverse) and the PCM V-drives had left hand propeller rotation, pulls starboard in reverse.

The PCM V-drives are a little easier to change the propeller shaft on.
When a boat is being loaded with several hundred pounds of water ballast, it is no longer important to have a right hand propeller to balance the weight of the driver.
The PCM V-drive may cost less than the Walters V-drive?

Go take your new boat out into the middle of the lake. Play with it in reverse, and forward, and learn its characteristics.
Throw something floating out of the boat, and practice "Docking" next to the floating object.

[youngunz]

These are all great posts, I will surely work on docking and getting to know my boat this weekend when I head up to the cottage...Thanks to all who helped out with this inquiry!!!

[slob02]

The more you drive it the better you will get. Just take your time and practice. When you learn to slide that thing in, all the io's and outboards owners will look at you like you are a pro!!!

[EntiatSkier]

It is really easy to dock these boats coming in at a nice big angle. So you can just coast in at an angle then throw it in reverse to stop it from going forward.