[C320-list] Boat bum.

[Allan S. Field]

Annie - Per Mack Boring, the big Yanmar dealer in the US, and our local
Yanmar experts (Bayshore Marine in Annapolis), I have been advised to keep
the prop in reverse while under sail.  And also starting the engine in
reverse does no damage to the transmission and, in fact, is recommended.
#808 is 7 years old now, I change the transmission oil every Fall, and no
problems ever...except when I tried to take the transmission out of reverse
BEFORE starting the engine - I thought I was going to break the lever.
Never tried that stunt again!  As a pure-cruiser, I have never had any
inclination to change out the factory prop.  And I agree that going in
reverse is very easy in these boats once you know how to make the prop walk
to port work for you.  I have had to back-down the boat a few times for a
few hundred yards and once you get it going in reverse, and account for the
prop walk, the thing will go in a straight line forever.  But I am puzzled
by your statement that you sail in reverse ("I always went into reverse when
sailing...")- I haven't tried that stunt yet!  (grin!)

Allan S. Field
Sea Shadow - #808
Columbia, MD

-----Original Message-----
From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
[mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of
annie at sydneyprivatesailing.com.au
Sent: Wednesday, June 18, 2008 10:04 PM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Boat bum.

Bob on old Topcat #812 I always went into reverse when sailing & never had
any problem moving gear lever to neutral before starting engine. The
spinning noise was annoying if sailing at any speed if I didn't do this BUT
on new Topcat #1073 I leave it in neutral because I also find it hard to
shift back to neutral before starting. I don't notice the spinning noise
from on deck & can only notice it when I go belowm Might just be that I'm
getting deafer. Think might help to slow down by going head to wind before
starting.
Annie Bennett 
Sent from my BlackBerryR from Optus

-----Original Message-----
From: Robert Seastream <robert.seastream at comcast.net>

Date: Wed, 18 Jun 2008 20:15:21 
To: <C320-List at Catalina320.com>
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Boat bum.


All:  I often thought my lack of practice/incompetence was the major  
reason for poor backing.

Adam:  My fathers Cape Dory 28 would back straight, but being a full  
keel boat likely helped.

Bruce & Dick:  I've thought about the various 'reversing' blade props,  
but cost has held me back, along with the occasional story about a  
lost blade.

In other news, I've been sailing with my prop in reverse due to list  
comments indicating the manufacturer recommends such.  Supposedly,  
sailing in neutral allows excessive propshaft spinning.  However, I've  
had to start the engine in reverse gear after I'm done sailing because  
the boats' forward momentum creates pressure on the prop making it  
hard enough to shift to neutral before starting that I'm concerned  
about damaging the linkage between the helm and engine.  Thoughts?

Bob Seastream
Intuition # 906



Robert Seastream writes about poor Reversing.
My circumstances mean that I must reverse into a tight marine pen  
(slip).
The Kiwi Feathering Prop really does deliver positive and immediate  
thrust,
with little or no Prop walk.
I am sure there are other props that do this too, but not a factory  
fitted
fixed 3 blader.
Cheers
Bruce Stanley
Sydney
On Jun 18, 2008, at 1:21 PM, Richard A. Walker wrote:

>
>
> One advantage to the autoprop is that the boat backs very well.  Not  
> the
> reason to buy it but a good help.
>
> Cheers,
>
> Dick Walker
> C-320 (687) WindWalker II
> 740 Olive Ave.
> Coronado, CA 92118-2136
> 619.435.8986
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
> [mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Jane &  
> Ken
> Sent: Wednesday, June 18, 2008 10:01 AM
> To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Boat bum.
>
> Yes Adam, but can he cook as good as you?  Ken
>
> esquirecatering at rcn.com wrote:  I agree with you 100%. I never  
> depend on
> backing KELE. The only use of reverse, in my docking perspective, is  
> to
> grind the gears in case you come in too hot. It doesn't stop the  
> boat, it
> just grinds gears.
>
> Now, one of my sailing buddies, Mike, can manouever my boat under  
> power like
> it is a Porsche moving it inches here, a degree there, etc. He is  
> half my
> age (and I was sailing long before he was born) but he can do it.
>
> As for me, I assume my first approach to the dock is my only approach.
>
> Adam
>
>
> Backing at all (let alone straight) is something I simply can't get my
> boat to do, so I don't rely on it as part of the docking process.
> I've told my wife that when docking, if we miss we'll simply circle
> and try again, since we have little/no effective reverse/braking  
> power.
>
> Bob
>
> On Jun 18, 2008, at 12:52 AM, Chef Adam Weiner wrote:
>
>> I guess I am being dense, but I don't follow the reply.
>>
>> Adam