[Public-List] Reversing the A-30

[Jim Davis]

As the one who "accidentally" started this thread I guess I should chime in.  As Mike and Gord have clearly pointed out, backing a full keel boat requires a lot of practice.  A couple of observations of my own and this comes from A30's, my current boat and quite a few other boats.  Note Isa Lei has a lot more windage than an A30.

If you intend to go any distance backing - Be gentle, if you get too vigorous with reverse, you won't go where you want.  Also I don't recommend long distances with a moderate or greater cross wind.  Full keels aren't like the BeneCattleHunters that can back all the way across the harbor.

Learn about Prop Walk and your boat.  It can be your best friend.  With Isa Lei I avoid coming along side Starboard side to unless I have a good line handler on the pier.  With her Prop Walk I have to be careful.  If I need to make a sharp turn in close proximity to the pier it had better be to the right.  For this I start her swinging with the rudder and "Back Frantic", her butt swings quite rapidly, and by "Backing and Filling" will do a 360 in a little more than her length.  Again this is a case of know your boat.

One more comment, this is on anchoring.  I try to let the anchor settle into the bottom before I back on it.  I will lay it on the bottom and pay out rode gently till I'm happy with the length, then go and have a beverage of my choice while watching the situation.  After letting things calm down I'll back on the hook.  If you back hard on it before it settles some you probably will yank it out.  I've watched too many BeneCattleHunter owners drag all the way across the creek complaining about their anchor not setting, or the poor holding.  If you are using a light weight (Fortress/Danforth) anchor this is more important than if you are using a plough or fisherman type anchor.

http://www.cambridgeschoonerrendezvous.com/image/Isa-Lei-L2513.jpg



Jim Davis
S/V Isa Lei

"Coffee tastes better if the latrines are dug downstream from the encampment."
US Army Field Regulations - 1861


 1301926937.0