Your First Sail PROP WALK


Prop walk is the tendency of your boat to turn slightly rather than go in a straight line as this can be significant when backing. The cause is the propeller’s direction of rotation. This tendency can be put to good use when you understand which way it moves your boat. You can test your “prop walk” direc- tion by putting the boat in reverse while still tied to the dock. Compare the volume of water flow on both sides of the boat. The stern will move away from the greater flow.


Using Prop Walk


Dock the boat on the side that it “walks” to. Approach the dock slowly in a gentle arc. As you reach the dock, reverse your engine and let the stern “walk” over to the dock.


Using the Outboard Prop


Tis propeller in reverse “walks” the stern to port.


If you have an outboard motor, you can use it to help turn your boat. With both the rudder and motor turned in the same direction, you will be able to make a much tighter turn than if you just turned the rudder. Compare the arcs of the two boats.


Te boat with the smaller arc has turned both the tiller and the outboard motor in the same direction.


Slight turn to port.


45


Te boat with the larger arc has used only the tiller to turn.


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