wheel hard to one side and ‘goose’ the
SAILING TIPS Mike Huston engine in forward (rev it up to about
2000 RPM for 1-2 sec.) and then put it
back into neutral. This should cause
Handling a Sailboat
the boat to spin without adding much
forward momentum.
in Tight Spaces
Prop Walk Unlike prop wash, which
happens only when the engine is in
The first of a three part series on boat handling.
forward, prop walk happens only
when the engine is operated in reverse.
It would be nice if handling a the boat. Note: turning the rudder on Without getting technical, it is caused
sailboat were easy enough for me to a boat dead in the water will have no by the propeller being more effective
cover it in a one page article; but, alas, affect (same concept as turning the on one side than the other, which
it is not. So I have decided to break it wheel on a car when it is not moving). slightly pulls the stern to one side. You
into several articles, starting this month might ask why this does not happen in
with a discussion of the basic boat Propulsion This is usually an engine, forward and the answer is, it does; but
movements we are trying to control, but could be sails. And if it is an engine, not as much and the rudder can easily
the tools we have at our disposal and we normally have the ability to apply overpower it (due to prop wash) so
a few basic maneuvers. Articles in power in forward or reverse and in there is much less impact on the boat.
subsequent months will discuss more varying amounts via the throttle. One other big difference between
complex maneuvers like backing and prop wash and prop walk is that prop
spinning. Prop Wash In order to understand prop walk happens in only one direction,
When we are driving a car our wash it is necessary to understand usually pulling the stern to port.
primary concerns are speed and the configuration of the rudder and Right-handed propellers pull to port and
direction. Driving a boat adds some propeller under the boat. On almost left-handed propellers pull to starboard
additional elements: first, the boat’s all sailboats the propeller is located in (most boats have right-handed props).
road (the water) can be moving front of the rudder. Therefore, when Also, as a general rule, the more steeply
(current), so we need to be aware of the engine is operating in forward the shaft enters the water, the more
our speed and direction not through the water being pushed back by the pronounced the prop walk. Therefore,
the water, but relative to things like propeller flows past the rudder. If boats with saildrives, where the
docks, rocks, etc. Next, unlike a car, the rudder happens to be turned to propeller pushes parallel to the surface,
boats can and will easily spin or rotate one side this flow of water will push usually have little prop walk. Propeller
in the water. Third, cars cannot, but against the rudder, which pushes the design also impacts the amount of
boats can and do, move sideways; in stern in opposite direction. Basically walk.
other words, the boat’s movement it spins the boat by pushing the stern Here is a way to understand what
may not be toward the bow. And lastly, sideways. prop walk does to your boat: bring
unlike cars, boats do not have brakes. There are a couple other important your boat to a stop and take a sighting
Therefore, to stop a boat we need to things to know about prop wash: first, straight ahead, i.e. note a piling lined
apply force in the opposite direction of operating the engine in reverse does not up with a tree. Make sure the wheel is
its movement. create prop wash because the propeller centered then put the boat in reverse
The tools we have at our disposal, is pushing water forward, away from at an idle. If your boat has a right-
the things we can use to affect speed, the rudder. And second, prop wash can handed prop, its stern will start to pull
direction and rotation, are listed and should be used to help steer a boat to port, not a lot, but noticeably. By the
below: at low speeds. time the boat is moving enough for the
Here is a small exercise to try that rudder to be taking control it will likely
Wheel or Tiller The wheel or tiller allow demonstrates prop wash; bring your have its bow pointed to the right of the
us to turn the rudder, which then turns boat to complete stop, then turn the original sighting.
Prop Wash Prop Walk
Goosing the engine with the The water flowing off the
rudder turned causes water from propeller (dotted line) does not
the propeller (dotted line) to push touch the rudder and pushes the
on the rudder. This impacts the boat backwards. The rotation of
boat by moving it forward and the propeller pulls most boats to
kicking the stern sideways. port at the same time.
48° No r t h , Ja N u a r y 2010 Pa g e 42
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