Reverse... boy do I feel stupid!

[rpcs]

Hey all,

Just got my new 2012 SANTE 210. I love the boat but one problem, I'm coming off my old 2010 Ski 200 and the new Super Air has a reverse prop. This is killing me. My dock slip is on the port side. The old Ski Nautique would pull port side in reverse, all was great. The new boat pulls starboard side in reverse (away from the dock). Not good! I know it is what it is but can anyone give me any ideas as to what I can do (or use) to catch the boat when pulling into a port side dock? I don't have the luxury of swapping slips so I have to make do but I'm having a killer time. I know everyone tells me I'll get it but I'm not!

ANY ADVICE... PLEASE!

Rog

[HS]

So you are having the most trouble coming into the dock, or leaving the dock? I am thinking leaving the dock, backing away, it is helping you, so I will mention something to try to help when coming in.

On the old boat you probably learned how to make to "reverse prop-walk" bring the stern into the dock by applying a little throttle to both slow the boat to a stop and swing ("twist") the stern in to the dock.

On the new boat, try starting that twist earlier with the helm while you still have "way" and the boat will respond to the input of the wheel. Once the twist begins then add the reverse thrust to slow the boat and stop the twist. The throttle in reverse will still try to induce the stern away from the dock (just as it does when hit backs to starboard), but in this example, it is being applied to offset the initial twist from the helm input as well as slow the forward momentum of the boat to a stop. It will take practice, so try it out in open water first!

[NautiqueJeff]

What about backing the boat in? Would that work?

[rpcs]

Thanks HS. I was trying out these moves in open water but I'm still concerned because the current and wind is normally pushing me from the dock. I know, I'm screwed!

[rpcs]

Hey NautiqueJeff- I thought about this but have never done it before. I guess it's worth a try. I'm not real familiar with backing into a dock but at this point... Are there any tricks I should know about? Do you have any advise before I try this?

Thanks
Rog

[migs]

Just make sure you got a guy on the bow and a guy on the stern ready to help. Do this until you've got it perfect

[Texan1554]

Alright so I assume this is in fairly close quarters? a row of slips on each side? Do you have a lift in the slip any depth issues?

You can always just come in slow stick your nose towards the far side of the slip and have someone in the bow to shove you towards the near side while you're out of gear. That will take the back end around.

Also, not sure on how much room you have, but consider going past your slip and turning around to come at it from the other way. Just turn to the starboard use your port reverse to make the u turn, let the water settle and head into your slip like normal.

[lucky7t]

I too have the same issue but my problem is backing out. I went from my 2003 to the 2007. When I used to back out it would twist me into position to leave but now it twists me in position to drive into the rocks. Very difficult

[HS]

I have found that the heavier the throttle, the heavier the twist. One initial burst of throttle (while fending off the dock to keep straight) to get you moving and then ease off the throttle and glide out?

Or maybe there is a way to use a spring line to assist you on the way out? Could one of your passengers stay on the dock to help swing the stern the desired way then once set, step aboard? As Jeff suggested can you tie up stern-in?

[rpcs]

Thanks all who replied. So to explain my problem in detail, I have a slip that is two boats wide. So my slip and the boat next to me are side by side without a finger between us. I have a finger (dock) on my port side and the boat next to me has the finger on his starboard side. Ok, this is in a campground so behind my boat is a swim area. It's big enough to back out and head to open waters but not big enough to come in and turn around. I'm obviously on the wrong finger/side of the dock for this boat but I'm currently stuck on this slip and I'm trying to find a way to make it work with the least number of help. As you all know it's kinda embarrassing to have 10 people with me just to dock the boat.

I currently tie off on my finger (port side) and the front (to the main dock) Picture the dock as a large "T" with smaller fingers coming off the top and the leg of the "T". Because the rotation of the prop now causes my boat to push starboard side in reverse I'm now pushing towards the other board when I reverse to leave the dock or reverse to slow down coming in. The slips are about 22' wide and need to hold two boats. Since my boat is less then 8.5' and the adjacent boat is about 8.5" we should have about 4-5' between us if we were pushed against the dock. All seems fine except when the current and wind are pushing me at the adjacent boat. As I mentioned, my old Ski nautique would suck me into my finger in reverse so it was simple.

Again, thanks to everyone for the suggestions. I will do my best to get my slip moved but at this point I either need many people to help or I need to try docking stern in.

Any other suggestions are welcome!

Thanks

[migs]

now kinda seeing what youre talking about - id reverse into it.

[HS]

maybe your neighbor willing to swap spaces with you to avoid a mishap?

When you come in are you turning left into your slip? maybe go past, turn around and turn right (especially when the wind is at its worst)?

[Texan1554]

Yup still sticking with the suggestion of going past and turning around and coming at the other way. Assuming the boat is 21-23' long as long you've got maybe 30' between the docks and the swimming area, you can turn around.

Otherwise, check and see if the other boat will switch with you.

[CradGen2]

I had the same issue in Pittsburgh. Looked like I had never driven an inboard before. We had to back into the slip, always had current pushing me down river away from the dock and another boat sitting next to me. SUCKED...I wish I had a better solution, I don't, but I ways came in up river and swung the back around past my slip and SLOWY back in. I did PAD the crap out of my dock and normally hand an extra set of hands. good luck, I feel your pain.

[Bevan]

Assume you have front & rear portside side cleats? Tie off a rope looped to both cleats "before" you get to your slip. Make sure it is looped "outside" of the tower. Now if I understand your setup correctly? idle in slowly and as close to the dock as possble feathering the throttle in & out of neutral. If you do this you won't need a lot of reverse to stop which will help keep the back end of your boat closer to the dock. Trick now is to exit your boat to the dock before it can move away. "Take the rope you previously looped to the cleats with you" You should now be standing on the dock, rope in hand and with full control of your boat