[Public-list] how do you back this darn thing up?

[C.B. Currier]

This is not rocket scient but it might be a bit of magic...

Due to the size of the propeller / aperature in the hull plus rudder
configuration the boat does not do well in a constant reverse drive.
That is it has that prop walk or tendency to move to port or starboard
without your help.

So ... to properly back an A 30 - Put the back of the boat where you would
like to start. Shift into reverse gear with lots of power for a few
seconds to get the boat moving in reverse. At the same time use the
extreme angles on hte rudder to encourage the hull to start in the
direction you wish to go. Once you have a little velocity cut the motor
back to neutral. Now work the boat in the direction you want to go. Once
you feel you have lost some of that inertia hit the reverse hard again
with power. now you should have a little more success since th boat is
already moing in the direction you wnat to go. But do not leave it in gear
too long. Cut it again & let the inertia help with the rudder to get you
in the right direction. By this point you should have a good deal of
inertia & direction. Now slow it down with a little forward and you shuld
be there.

If backing up an alley do the same thing but with more time between
reverse power...

This works very nicely for me. Hope it does for you too.

Good Luck & remember practice practice practice

-- 
C.B. Currier
Infinity # 57
Daybreak #458



Dave Terrell said:
> I understand and can say from experience that getting an Alberg to steer
> well in reverse is a common problem. I end up dealing with this as a
> sometimes frustrating learning experience.
>
> Why to you have to back in? I have a slip and go in bow first. I back out.
> I have the good fortune of having a slip that favors the use of the left
> prop walk of the propeller, but that does not always help in certain
> winds. In that case I use a line attached to the dock to pull the stern so
> that the bow heads down the fairway to the bay and  not up the fairway
> toward the wall. Sometimes that happens and then backing and filling
> usually gets me out of a jam. My experience suggests that backing out
> rather than backing is gives the helmsperson more control over the
> situation. I use a bridle to help with getting into the slip with
> reasonable grace.
>
>
> I do have a three questions/suggestiions that might help even if you have
> to back into your slip.
>
> 1. Can you approach the slip in a way that takes advantage of the prop
> walk? If as you back into the slip, the slip is on your port side, this
> should be possible. If I have this correct, prop walk will tend to put the
> boat to port. As you put the tiller to starboard, this will help get you
> going in the direction that will help.If I have the facts exactly opposite
> of reality, I hope someone on the list will straighten it out. I am sure
> the principle is correct even if the data is a little mixed up. I think
> both principle and data are correct, but... I have to make an effort to
> clear this up in my mind each spring.
>
> 2. I  have found that putting some  power on in reverse helps the boat go
> where you want it to go better. If you have too little power on, it is
> hard to steer any course. On occassion, I found that the boat went quite
> straight in reverse with lots of power on. Powering up a bit should help.
>
> 3. Could you use an inverted version of backing and filling to control the
> process of backing into the dock? I am not sure I can describe this, but I
> am sure others can.
>
> 4. Can you set up a line on a piling that you could grab as you come in
> and help control the process?
>
> 5. With some analysis, can you pinpoint what worked when you got in the
> slip correctly? And what did not work when you had to try again? Since I
> do not back in I have no clues on this from personal experience, but think
> this might be a helpful line of thinking to pursue.
>
> One caveat - I sail in the great lakes where current and tide are not an
> issue. I do not know how current or tide might complicate this process.
>
> i hope I have been helpful because I have experienced this frustration
> myself in different situtations.
>
>
>>>> jschueler at familyempowerment.org 05/11/05 10:13 AM >>>
> Hello all.
>
> Having sailed my Alberg last year I am fairly familiar with the problems
> that seem to exist when attempting to steer a short course in reverse.
> It doesn't appear that it responds well to the rudder, at best; at
> worst, there have been times when I've had the boat headed in the
> opposite direction to that which I was steering (in reverse). My problem
> is this: I am not at a mooring this year as I was last year. I now have
> to back the boat into a rather narrow slot between two pilings which
> puts the stern to the dock and enables us to get off. However, it's
> tough to say the least. I tried 6 times yesterday before I was able to
> get it into the slip. I'd put it in reverse and the boat would just back
> up in any direction it wanted, no matter that I was guiding it with the
> rudder. A whole season of this is going to be a pain in the neck. Any
> advice?
>
> James Schueler
> 'Oddyseus' #170
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