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

Thu May 12 14:52:08 PDT 2005

James -
   I posted messages very similar to yours two years ago, when I first got
the boat. We are fortunate in having a wide, deep area outside the slip. I
was able to try many different methods over and over again until I found the
one that worked. I can now back her in most of the time in one or two tries.
I am sure the perfect method will be different for your boat and slip
situation.

I come in with the slip to starboard, only 10 feet off the pilings, and in
neutral, with just enough way to make a turn, ending up stern to the slip.
I've learned to not bother with the rudder when I'm running the prop in
reverse. I will get it in reverse and gun it just til were starting to move,
then back to neutral and work the rudder. Gun it again if you need it, but
never long enough to make the boat turn.  Give up and start again if it
doesn't work.

My wife Pat was quite unhappy with the previous method of coming alongside
the pilings to pull her into the slip --- all those anchors made her
nervous!

Good luck!
Mike
Rinn Duin #272
-----Original Message-----
From: public-list-bounces at alberg30.org
[mailto:public-list-bounces at alberg30.org]On Behalf Of James Schueler
Sent: Wednesday, May 11, 2005 1:34 PM
To: 'Alberg 30 Public List -- open to all'
Subject: RE: [Public-list] how do you back this darn thing up?

Yes, power does help although the quarters are close and even a bit too
much, usually the amount needed to develop control, results in too much
speed for the area. Extreme caution is needed but I agree that power is
necessary for control in reverse, especially when wind is a factor.

In regard to backing in; no, I don't have to but that would mean that
the exit from the boat would be off the bow. I don't think my mate would
be overly fond of that but, on the other hand, she was clearly stressed
and bewildered by the difficulties encountered when attempting to back
in. On the bright side, she did mention that she had faith in my
abilities and gave me credit for finally getting the thing secured.

I think, with time, the process will improve and I'll come up with a
method that will work. It's going to take a little practice but if I can
find days when it's not windy (not something I usually wish for) I'll
spend some time experimenting. 

Thanks,

James

-----Original Message-----
From: public-list-bounces at alberg30.org
[mailto:public-list-bounces at alberg30.org] On Behalf Of Dave Terrell
Sent: Wednesday, May 11, 2005 12:13 PM
To: public-list at alberg30.org
Subject: Re: [Public-list] how do you back this darn thing up?

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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