[Public-list] Steering in reverse

[Daniel Sternglass]

Hi A-30 people,

One comment to add on motoring in reverse -- this takes some guts, but 
is appropriate in some situations if you have a little room. If the bow 
is swinging the wrong direction despit your helm, but you have some room 
in front of you, remember... given enough distance you can always steer 
with the engine running forward and water flowing over the rudder in the 
right direction.

Get the rudder over for forward steeering as you *momentarily* gun the 
engine in -forward gear- to get the bow moving in the right direction, 
then  get back into reverse, rudder back over quickly and keep backing. 
Requires speed and smoothness. The goal in these situation is to get 
into a position as quickly as possible that you can proceed forward from...

This really works in a moderate wind and a fairly short distance if you 
are focused (nothing works in a really strong wind except thinking WAY 
ahead). I have done this a number of time is 20 years, particualarly 
maneuvering in a channel with obstacles. It's not the sort of maneuver 
you'd make a habit of.

Has the disadvantage (or benefit, depending on the situation) of scaring 
the hell out the passengers if you don't warn them...

--Dan S.
dans at stmtg.com
Watcher of the Skies, #201, Cayuga Lake, Ithaca, NY (still, sadly, on 
the hard)