Stern thruster

[JACOB11379]

I purchased my first boat beginning of this year. 2020 GS20. Love the boat. But hate reverse. I researched for 6 months before deciding on this boat. During that entire time, countless videos, nobody ever pointed out the **** boat will only go backwards in one direction.

I figured, well everybody else is doing it so ill figure this out. And while I've figured it out its a total nightmare when kids are swimming around our community dock. And even worse when its windy and the docks are pretty full.

Most of the time its fine. But on those certain days its not so good.

So, does someone have a solution to control this boat when backing up? Cause what i havent figured out is how in the heck this boat will only go in the opposite direction once in a while??.?....yeah you read that right. Probably taken boat out 100 times now. Every single time it only backs up to the right EXCEPT twice! On those two days it would only back up left.....I've moved people all over the boat, added weight in different ballasts.....

Whats the trick? Or do I just go to stern thruster and call it good....

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

[NautiqueJeff]

It will normally only back in the direction of the prop spin. That's just how inboards work. Most people just approach docks and things from the side where they can hit reverse and pull the back of the boat toward the dock. I come in at about a 45 degree angle to a dock, and then hit reverse and the boat will line up next to the dock just right, usually without even touching the dock. It isn't a big deal at all once you learn what to expect from your boat.

I don't know of any way to make it back in the other direction. Not sure what you did to make that happen.

You could get a stern thruster, or just practice more and learn how your specific boat will react in reverse.

[greggmck]

The only way a V-drive boat backs up to the left is when a wind blows it or a current moves it that way. The prop will always walk the stern of the boat in the direction of rotation and in these boats that is to the right when in reverse.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

[hal2814]

It probably should be talked about more, but inboard boats can’t steer in reverse. The rudder only works when water is pushing against it. In reverse, the water is pushing the other way. Stern thrusters are a solution to that but to most inboard boat owners it’s not a problem to be solved. You eventually get used to it. The post above has some good advice. It just takes a little more planning, especially when the dock is busy.

[JACOB11379]

It will normally only back in the direction of the prop spin. That's just how inboards work. Most people just approach docks and things from the side where they can hit reverse and pull the back of the boat toward the dock. I come in at about a 45 degree angle to a dock, and then hit reverse and the boat will line up next to the dock just right, usually without even touching the dock. It isn't a big deal at all once you learn what to expect from your boat.

I don't know of any way to make it back in the other direction. Not sure what you did to make that happen.

You could get a stern thruster, or just practice more and learn how your specific boat will react in reverse.

Try that docking on the left side....when the boat goes in reverse the *** goes to the right and into the boat sitting in the right side dock. You will never get the rear to go to the left.

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

[NautiqueJeff]

Could you back into the dock?

Or drive past your dock, turn around, and approach the dock from the other direction?

I always drive past my dock, turn around, and come back toward my dock, so that I can dock with the bow out, and it makes it very easy to dock because that allows me to dock on the driver's side. That's the direction these boats pull in reverse, so that works great for me.

[greggmck]

Try that docking on the left side....when the boat goes in reverse the *** goes to the right and into the boat sitting in the right side dock. You will never get the rear to go to the left.

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

And that is why you ALWAYS dock by approaching with an angle 45 degrees from the starboard side.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

[JACOB11379]

And to complicate things or launch is a left side only.....


Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

[JACOB11379]

And that is why you ALWAYS dock by approaching with an angle 45 degrees from the starboard side.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

Not always an option



Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

[hal2814]

The only way a V-drive boat backs up to the left is when a wind blows it or a current moves it that way. The prop will always walk the stern of the boat in the direction of rotation and in these boats that is to the right when in reverse.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

I’m going to jump on the pedantic train for a minute. For a GS or a G or any Nautique made 2007 or later it’s always to the right. For the earlier boats, most Nautiques had right hand props and back up to the left. This was a bigger adjustment than I thought it would be going from a 95 Super Sport to a 230. I was very used to reverse kicking left. I didn’t realize by how much until it flipped on me. Just in case anyone visits this thread later searching for steering questions...

[JACOB11379]

So can we talk stern thrusters.

No amount of practice is gonna change the issues I'm dealing with.

Any recommendations on stern thrusters? I looked at ezdrive at a whopping 5k....hoping someone knows of something cheaper

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

[hal2814]

Stern thrusters are expensive. $5k isn’t bad for one. But I’ll bet you money that Sanger in the pic doesn’t have a stern thruster. Do you know the owner of that boat? They could probably offer some tips. They’re in the same predicament with reverse steering.

[greggmck]

Not always an option

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

With nearly 5,000 hours of single screw ownership I have not found a situation where I have NEEDED to dock on the opposite side of prop rotation. It just takes planning.

https://www.boatus.com/expert-advice...e-inboard-boat

This is for a direct drive which backs up to the left but the concepts are the same, just reversed for a V-drive.

https://youtu.be/3a1JCBl5G38

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

[JACOB11379]

Stern thrusters are expensive. $5k isn’t bad for one. But I’ll bet you money that Sanger in the pic doesn’t have a stern thruster. Do you know the owner of that boat? They could probably offer some tips. They’re in the same predicament with reverse steering.

The problem isn't parking the boat.

The problems occur when its windy, when there is kids swimming and paddle boarding around docks.

Vast majority of the time I'm fine. But a few times is enough for me to look into another solution.



Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

[JACOB11379]

Stern thrusters are expensive. $5k isn’t bad for one. But I’ll bet you money that Sanger in the pic doesn’t have a stern thruster. Do you know the owner of that boat? They could probably offer some tips. They’re in the same predicament with reverse steering.

Ok thanks for info on thruster

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk