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07-19-2006, 07:00 PM #3Senior Member
- Join Date
- Oct 2005
- Location
- Central FL
- Posts
- 791
Replying to Topic 'Why cant I steer when backing up?'
WELCOME to inboards !
The problem is called torque steer. The prop wants to turn the boat as well as pull or push it. If you center the steering, and backup at a moderate speed, the boat will pull the stern to starboard. Any level of right steering will increase the rate of turn.
HOWEVER... if you put in full left rudder, and continue to back at slow to moderate speed, the boat will track somewhere between 0-2 degrees port or starboard... esentially straight back.
So how the hell do you back to port ???
Well - some do not. 270 degrees right is the same as 90 left. If you need to pull the stern to port, your best bet is to use short bursts of a bit more than moderate throttle with the rudder full left. More water over the rudder helps pull the boat around. It takes a while to get used to, and I think all of us can say we needed lots of practice to get it so we feel comfortable. The new 06 L series larger hull is larger and a tad more difficult than the smaller hulls, and the v-drive adds even more difficulty.
Mostly - try to think : back straight, turn while going forward. So you may need to make 3 point or 5 point turns in some tight situations. You will learn that the boat turns on a dime going forward and you use that to your best ability.
I think Backing into a slip w/ one of these would be the most difficult thing.
Some here have reccomended throwing a boat fender in the water and trying to come along side it as practice.
Keep at it - it will come.
-Joe
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