206 seamanship secrets
edge of the rudder pivots to the right. If you want to initiate a right turn while your
boat is moving forward, turn a wheel right (just as in a car), but push a tiller left.
All vessels have an imaginary point, called a pivot point, about which they
turn. Knowing the location of your boat’s pivot point (it’s usually about one-third
of the way aft from the bow) will help you dock in a slip, avoid a collision, or
turn in a tight channel. Try this exercise:
- Th row a life ring or life jacket (also called a personal fl otation device, or
PFD) into the water. Bring the object abreast of a point about one-third of
the way back from your bow. - Put the wheel hard over toward the object and hold it in place.
- Shift into idle forward gear and try to make a circle around the object
without hitting it. You want to keep it lined up with your pivot point
throughout the circle. Make slight adjustments as necessary to fi nd the
magic spot. Th en go to the next exercise.
FIVE STEPS TO BACK AND FILL
ANY SINGLE-SCREW BOAT
Single-screw vessels often need to pivot 180 degrees or more by backing and
filling. This technique uses the helm, gearshift, and throttle in combination
to turn your boat in a tight space. Practice backing and filling in an open
area until you are comfortable with the procedure.
- Turn your wheel all the way toward the direction you want to turn and hold
it there. If you are using a tiller, hold it hard over on the side opposite the
intended turn. Do not move the wheel or tiller throughout the maneuver. - Sight a natural range abeam (e.g., a nearby mooring buoy or navaid lined up with
a more distant pier, house, or steeple). Try to keep the range lined up with your
pivot point during the maneuver. Use this range to gauge how long you can keep
the boat in forward or reverse gear without moving forward or backward. - Shift to forward gear for about ½ to 1 second. In a breeze, give the engine a
burst of throttle. You want the boat to start to turn in the desired direction
without gaining headway. Check your range alignment. - Shift into neutral, then immediately shift into reverse gear. Leave the engine
in reverse just long enough to stop any forward momentum. Give a burst of
throttle if needed, and check your range alignment. - Repeat steps 3 and 4 continuously until you turn the boat through 360
degrees. How did you do with your range alignment?
THE SECRET OF A TIGHT TURNING CIRCLE
Use the fi ve steps above to perform a full 360-degree turn. Make a full turn
to the right, then to the left. What did you notice about the diameter of your