line will not work because the boat will (to starboard on most boats) and hurt 1 knot of boat speed; the effects become
usually hit the end of the slip before when turning the other way. To see increasingly noticeable as the winds
you can get it around a cleat and it will this for yourself, start the same half get stronger but can be felt even in light
also swing the stern in and the bow knot turn to starboard but instead of winds.
out. putting the engine in neutral put it in Next month we will continue this
reverse at idle. Most boats will spin discussion by looking at the maneuvers
Steering Forward – Most people think of a little faster when you do this. Next, of backing and spinning.
using the wheel or tiller when it comes do a similar turn to port; this time you
to steering a boat, this is understandable should find the turning momentum of Mike Huston owns a computer
since the rudder is the most commonly the boat slows when the engine is put consulting company in the Seattle area
used steering tool. But there are other in reverse. and teaches sailing part-time for San
tools, most notably prop wash and If the wind is coming from the side, Juan Sailing in Bellingham, WA. He has
prop walk. Recall from last month’s it will help a turn away from the wind been sailing for over 40 years, many of
article that prop wash is the action of and hurt a turn into the wind. Try turns them spent racing. He and his wife own a
the water from propeller on the rudder, both into and away from the wind with Jeanneau 43DS, “Illuminé.”
and prop walk is the tendency of the
stern to pull sideways when in reverse.
In addition, wind can help or hurt what
you may be trying to do.
Here are a couple important
RACING OR CRUISING: UK-HALSEY
points:
• Because the rudder is in the back of
NORTHWEST HAS YOU COVERED
the boat, turning it causes the boat
to turn by swinging the stern the
opposite way. In open waters this
fact has little impact but when you
are close to docks or another boat
it is important to remember your
stern is going to swing.
• Most fin keeled boats will pivot
around the front of their keel when
going forward (about at the mast).
• Speed has a big impact on steering
so stay aware of how fast you are
moving, especially in tight spaces.
Here are some things to practice: at
a relatively low speed, say 1 knot, put
the wheel over hard and put the engine
Clockwise from Top Left: Custom graphic on a pole-
in neutral. Watch for two things, how
less cruising spinnaker. Roller-reefing Platinum-Drive
much distance in the original direction
genoa. Lazy Cradle mainsail sail handling/covering
does it cover before turning 90 degrees?
system. Multihull carbon aramid Tape-Drive sails
Where does it pivot from? Now try this
going a little faster and slower, say at
1.5 knots and half a knot.
Now let’s see how adding prop
wash affects a turn; start the same turn
as above, at the half knot speed, but as
soon as you get the wheel hard over,
goose the engine (rev it up to over 2000
Neil Rabinowitz photo
RPM for about 1 second) and then go to
Call UK-Halsey Sailmakers Northwest for all your sail needs. We are trusted by customers throughout the
neutral. This should help the boat turn
Pacific Northwest to produce the most reliable, durable and cost effective sails for cruising and racing.
noticeably faster.
Next, let’s explore the impact of
prop walk. This is important to know
UK HALSEY SAILMAKERS NORTHWEST
because we almost always put the #3-2062 Henry Ave. 1202 Seventh St
engine in reverse when we are docking
Sidney, BC V8L 5Y1 Anacortes, WA 98221
CANADA USA
and, therefore, prop walk will
be
Tel: 800-563-7245 Tel: 360-293-8223
affecting the boat. The most important
northwest@ukhalsey.com anacortes@ukhalsey.com
thing to remember about prop walk is
that it will help when turning one way
www.ukhalsey.com
48° No r t h , Fe b r u a r y 2010 Pa g e 33
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