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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 250 Specific Forum

Steering (BACKING OUT)

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stewendkos
Navigator

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USA
109 Posts

Initially Posted - 09/30/2005 : 12:06:20

We really have a problem backing out and turning our 250 in tight places.Can I lock my rudder in a straight(parallel)position and turn the boat with just the engine not using the rudder.I have a difficult time using the two together along with the throttle and at the same time barking orders to my dear wife.Ihave tryed the soft link,butI would rather keep it simple.My engine does turn in the well.
Thank you,
Steve and Judy
"My Doll"
250 2003 #692
Dana Pt. ca.

Steve Wendkos
My Doll #692 Gone!

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moserd
Navigator

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USA
149 Posts

Response Posted - 09/30/2005 : 13:14:28

Ah yes, this 'problem' was a big surprise to me also. My previous boat was a Catalina 22 and it would simply spin on a dime and I could put it anywhere. My current boat is a 2005 WK and I have the same problem backing. I have spoke with several of the "old salts" at my marina and have discovered a couple of tricks. First of all I have found that you MUST use the rudder to help out things. I usually get the rudder amidships and start the boat moving back. Once the boat starts to move you will be able to use the rudder to perform minor midcourse corrections. The next trick, and the big one, is how do you get the stern to change direction for the 'big' corrections? I have found that if you turn the outboard in the correct direction (in reverse) and GOOSE the throttle momentarily and go back to neutral the stern will begin to move in the desired direction. You cannot let the rpm's build up too high or in gear too long or the boat will simply start going straight backwards. However the burst of power seems to 'pull' the stern about and get things moving. I have used this procedure fairly successfully, you may want to give it a try.

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frankr
Captain

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256 Posts

Response Posted - 09/30/2005 : 13:24:10

I don't think just using the engine will give you much turning ability as using the rudder. Using both together greatly improves the turning. I use an E-Z Steer (hard link) and it makes turning in close quarters fairly easy. When backing up give the throttle a goose to get the boat moving then drop back to neutral or just keep the rpm's low and use the prop walk to help pivot (reverse stern to port or forward stern to starboard). Try to figure out when your pivot point is on the boat and use that to determine when to change rudder directions also. Find an open area away from other boats and slips and practice different combinations of rudder/reverse and rudder/forward combinations to see which gives you the maximum steerage.
P.S. I have hull #690 - did your transsom hull plate have 690 on it?? originally - I had hull plate #692 and the sail and true humber were 690 - just wondering.

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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 09/30/2005 : 14:43:43

Hi Steve... Frank mentioned a key factor: prop-walk. If you are trying to swing the stern around to starboard as you back out, your prop is working against you, pulling the stern to port even with the engine turned--or at least negating much of the effect of turning the engine--as long as you maintain some significant power. That's where the burst of power followed by idling back helps. Get a little aft motion going, idle down so the prop isn't working against you, and steer mostly with the rudder. Also, as you are moving back, you can push the engine the other way, pop it into forward gear, and give it a little burst to push the stern over without necessarily stopping your backward motion.

Now, if you're backing out and turning to port, the prop-walk will help you turn almost on a dime. But remember, to get the boat to back straight (to get it going), set the motor to pull the stern somewhat to starboard so the prop-walk doesn't pull the stern to port even before you get going. Then, to swing to starboard, idle down and steer with the rudder. To swing to port, give the engine another burst and steer with both it and the rudder.

One more thing--be careful not to let the tiller go past about 45 degrees--it's easy to do when backing. Past that angle, the rudder becomes more of a brake than a rudder, and turning is seriously diminished. I've seen many sailors have problems maneuvering in reverse because of that simple factor.

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stewendkos
Navigator

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USA
109 Posts

Response Posted - 10/01/2005 : 12:47:32

Frankr: Thank you for the info. I will be at my boat today and see what the plate says. Did you use a small nylon line to connect the links at the point of the motor, ie. bungie strap and line to the rudder? Would you explain how you connected the line to the rudder, please? I am using a small connector under the wing-nut of the tiller. Do you have a better plan? So far, mine seems to be working, although we really haven't tried it on the water yet.
Dana Point, CA...Steve stewendkos@cox.net

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by frankr
 I don't think just using the engine will give you much turning ability as using the rudder. Using both together greatly improves the turning. I use an E-Z Steer (hard link) and it makes turning in close quarters fairly easy. When backing up give the throttle a goose to get the boat moving then drop back to neutral or just keep the rpm's low and use the prop walk to help pivot (reverse stern to port or forward stern to starboard). Try to figure out when your pivot point is on the boat and use that to determine when to change rudder directions also. Find an open area away from other boats and slips and practice different combinations of rudder/reverse and rudder/forward combinations to see which gives you the maximum steerage.
P.S. I have hull #690 - did your transsom hull plate have 690 on it?? originally - I had hull plate #692 and the sail and true humber were 690 - just wondering.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

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River Harley
Navigator

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132 Posts

Response Posted - 10/01/2005 : 15:39:04

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by stewendkos
 We really have a problem backing out and turning our 250 in tight places.Can I lock my rudder in a straight(parallel)position and turn the boat with just the engine not using the rudder.I have a difficult time using the two together along with the throttle and at the same time barking orders to my dear wife.Ihave tryed the soft link,butI would rather keep it simple.My engine does turn in the well.
Thank you,
Steve and Judy
"My Doll"
250 2003 #692
Dana Pt. ca.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

We had the same problem our first time out (The "wench" & I for those of you on the forum who know me intimately now.) When we tried to back out from our slip, I pulled the rudder for the port turn and the boat continued straight back. Fortunately, slow speed allowed us to stop before colliding with the boat behind us. Arlyn's softlink changed all that and we live life to the fullest now. However, you are right. The tight confines of the motor well can prevent use of the softlink - unless, perhaps, you are powering with a 3hp. We have the motor bracket which extends the motor sufficient for motor movement.

River

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atgep
Master Marine Consultant

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1009 Posts

Response Posted - 10/01/2005 : 15:56:44

I use the engine while manuvering. It provides vectored thrust. I have found that bI prefer to let the rudder follow the boat movment while movine forward. In reverse, the tiller must be held in line with the engine. It is possible to block most of the prop thrust if you let the tiller flop to port.

Remember, practice makes perfect.

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stewendkos
Navigator

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USA
109 Posts

Response Posted - 10/02/2005 : 11:52:01

IT WORKS(the soft link)We connected it the way the picture shows,and it worked without a hitch. We did a number of touch and goes,and also tried many other maneuvers,and could'nt be more pleased.Thanks for all the input.
Steve and Judy

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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.