Steering an Inboard

[TBMsNautique]

I'm the proud new owner of a 2000 Nautique Super Sport having spent the last 15 years in an I/O Rinker. I have virtually no experience behind the wheel of an inboard and am finding it quite difficult to control at low speeds (e.g. docking). Are there any quick "tricks" that might expedite my learning? Does anyone know of any resources I can tap to become a better driver? Thanks.

[wake_fun]

WELCOME to the best boat site on the net :mrgreen:
Remember that you need water running past the rudder for it to steer. Try little throttle then off, and on, and off. This will help you around the docks. Remember you are steering from the rear also. Lot's of practice also. Yellow_Flash_Colorz:
My 95' was my first boat, ever. Just make small adjustments on the throttle, forward and reverse, and you'll get it.

[TBMsNautique]

Thanks! I'll give this a try. Since the prop is right in front of the rudder, does the push of water from the prop engaging impair somewhat the function of the rudder? This is why you are suggesting to engage/disengage just to get the boat moving? Can I assume the physics are different while backing up? Thanks for your advice.

[C-Money]

Backing an inboard will take a little practice too! It'll pull one direction every time no matter what you do with the rudder... Be ready for it by posting a buddy in the back seat on the side that it pulls toward. He/she can keep you from bonking the dock. Also, approach the dock (gas pumps and such) at a 45 degree angle and use the pull of reverse to bring the back end into the dock. Don't panic! I have a buddy that abandons the helm at the first sign of trouble when the problem could be corrected with a little throttle and steering... He leaps to prevent the collision and stresses everyone out!

You might want to do a practice run on picking up a rider too! Keep the riders safe!

[Millar]

I grew up on large sailboats and they handle the same way. The best trick is to learn how to use the pull you get when in reverse to your advantage. In an open area, determine which way the stern pulls when you hit reverse. Mine pulls to port.

So, if yours pulls to port in reverse, try to turn to starboard whenever possible. Turn the wheel all the way to stb and give some fwd throttle. The prop pushing water past the rudder will push the stern to port and the bow will turn to stb. Once you have some way, keep the wheel to stb and bump the throttle in reverse. This will suck the stern to port. Once stopped, give some more fwd throttle. If you practice, you can turn your boat around within it's length.

Also, to steer in reverse (like you do with a car), try starting with the wheel opposite the pull (mine would be to stb since it pulls to port). Give some reverse throttle until you have some way, and then drop her in neutral. You'll have a little steerage as long as you have momentum in reverse in neutral.

Go as slow as possible and remember that if you are about to hit something, stop the boats fwd/rev momentum to minimize the damage.

[MikeC]

There are a thousand techniques, and a thousand different theories, the simple physics have been covered already. But there is nothing better than getting out on the lake and practice - throw a life jacket in the water and try pulling up next to it. Once you get comfortable pulling up close to an object in open water, docking becomes a lot easier. And if you can find someone that has an inboard get them to take you out on the water for a little dual instruction (you could always call a ski club, I don't know anyone who doesn't like hanging out on the water burning someone elses gas!! And remember most Nautique props turn backwards from other inboards.) Keep it slow and practice, practice, practice.

A free online resource is http://www.boat-ed.com/ you don't have to pay unless you want to take the test to get a certificate that usually lowers your insurance rate. There's one section that covers inboard boat handling.

Enjoy your boat!!

[G-man]

take you time, only problems happen if you hurry, glide in neutral, go slowly in and out of gear, this boat shifts much easier than an I/O

[MiracleDriver]

It will take practice, but once you learn how to drive an inboard, i/o's and outboards will seem like toys.

always approach the dock slowly. as others have said go on and off the throttle. it probably idles at a faster speed than your old boat and inboards due to the rudder assembly don't reverse for a darn.

nautique's reverse to the port side whereas most other inboards reverse to the starboard.

always approach the dock at a 45 degree angle, then when you are close swing the nose around with a quick shot forward and then reverse. it will take practice, but you will slide it right beside the dock and not scratch it.

[AuMDLST]

I believe all Nautiques back to the port until the year 2006 - with the new transmission All Nautiques will back to the stb from 2007 on - Any one else have info on this?
As for the question - practice - first time out in my 94 snob - I was the guy sideways in the two boat ramp - small adjustments - and dont over react

[M3Fan]

It will take practice, but once you learn how to drive an inboard, i/o's and outboards will seem like toys.

You couldn't have said it any better. As tough as it was to get the low speed manuvering "down" in an inboard, once you get a hang of it you'll find it much easier to manuver than an I/O or a OB. After this summer, try to drive an I/O or a OB around the docks and you'll wish you were in your Nautique! It's a bit of an art, but it's worth it to take that extra time to get used to it. You can spin an inboard basically in place once you get the hang of it- something your OB and I/O buddies will be amazed by. Like others have said, step 1 is the 45 degree angle approach from the dock, nice and slow, and using a little bit of reverse to "parallel park" right in place. Also, keep in mind that while the boat is in gear at idle it wants to go forward as well as whatever direction you are steering. When you take it out of gear, you'll get more steering control. So around the docks, just put it in gear only enough to keep moving. In and out of gear to steer.

[mf01]

I saw a slick move with a Nautique at the dock the other day. He came in parallel bumped it forward and turned to the right. Then he reversed the swim platform right to dock. The swim platform was about 6 inches from the dock and the people just jumped on the platform. He didn't have to fully dock and it seemed easier to load the driver of the tow vehicle this way. I'm practicing this method, but haven't got it completely yet.

[surfsup]

All the comments are correct - once you get the hang of it - things are much easier. In fact, I'm forced to navigate a fairly narrow canal and I can now complete a 180 pretty much in place...

[stevieb]

This is a great thread....I am a few weeks away from getting my first inboard....a sweeeet new 206. I will be looking forward to learning a few of these tricks. I have never driven an inboard, ever. But, I spent hundreds (and hundreds) of hours driving outboards from tiny tillers to a 17 footer and learned the very important art of docking without letting the boat touch the dock...just throw the mooring lines over the post and step out. I hope in a few days/weeks/months I can do the same in the 206...

However: What are the horror stories here regarding docking? Anyone take out a dock? Hole a hull? Throw a few passengers into the drink? Anyway, I can't wait to start learning....

[jmo]

I have essentially the same boat you do, and my two cents on learning how to navigate at low speeds is to remember there is a delay between when you give it steering input and when you notice the effect. I found in my first year with my super sport I was constantly over correcting.

[niagararob]

so far there's a lot of advice on pulling into the dock, here's a little something to pull away. since most nautiques reverse to port, when pulling away crank the wheel all the way ccw (left turn) and give a little throttle forward. the as* will push to the right, away from the dock, assuming the dock is on your left. when its about 45 degrees or whatever, slip it into reverse and idle backwards. you can even get around boats that are docked right behind you.

is that true about 2007 boats having props that spin differently? wont the wakes be a little lop-sided now when there's only a driver and no spotter?