[C320-list] Backiug into slip

[Sail0983 at aol.com]

I have only been sailing for 10 years so I don't have the vast experience  
that some have. However, when I started sailing one of my instructors taught me  
to begin the process of backing outside of the fairway. This allows you to  
have steerage as you start down the fairway to your slip. This eliminates most  
issues with trying to change direction in the middle of the fairway and any  
issues with prop-walk.
 
Like any thing in boating you need to take wind and current into  
consideration. It is much easier to start by positioning your boat so that you  are 
initially backing into the wind. This gives you better control until you  have 
ample steerage. Then as you approach your slip try to minimize the amount  of time 
your boats beam is to the wind. You will be surprised how  sharply you can 
actually turn the boat.
 
One other technique that I use is to actually get behind the wheel, so it  
becomes like driving a bus and the boat will turn in the direction you turn the  
wheel. This also makes it easier to judge the centerline of the slip.
 
One of the things that I do at the beginning of each season, is to go out  in 
the harbor and drive the boat around for 10 or 15 minutes in reverse to get  
the feel for backing again.
 
Dave Marchant
Illumination #983
Solomons, MD



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