Fellow professional mariner here. You're 100% correct. I've had two supposedly unwieldy heavy full keeled boats. Both were pretty easy to get in and out of the slip under power. Once you figure out how the wind effects the particular boat and learn to use the prop walk and a spring line you can hold it's pretty easy.
Gday from Oz.Absolute brilliant video. I have a canoe stern manitou 32. I have practiced and practiced all sorts of techniques reversing. This is a completely different approach. I'm very confident this will work on my full keel. I'm excited to give it a crack. Cheers
This video has made me much more confident leaving the dock in my 37!ft Rafiki. Prevailing winds usually blow the bow opposite to what is needed to head out of my fairway. Bout 50% of the time I'm backing out but now it looks like I know what I'm doing!
Thanks a lot. My boat (Italian Classis 35) is an obstinate mule in reverse just like yours seems to be and the port of Rome (Italy) has really tight spaces. You're video encouraged me to give up on my hopeless quest to try to steer in reverse and just concentrate on the point and go technique you illustrated. Much better now. Thanks again!
Great video. My Rival 32 is not full keel but keel and skeg hung rudder but she behaves in a similar way to a full keel. I use the techniques you are using, slowly does it is the key as you did, little forward and bit back and stay calm. Great job you did and you explained it very well. Cheers. Andy UK
As a new owner of a full keel yacht I know all about how hard it is to steer. The tiller nearly threw me across the cockpit with the force of trying to steer in reverse using the rudder. This video makes a lot of sense and I will definitely use this technique. Thanks for posting.
Great. I haven't owned this boat in several years now and I still get people watching it. I hope it helps. The steering on the boat in the vid is hydraulic steering, I have no doubt it could be tricky with a tiller.
I have seen a lot of backing videos but yours has made the most sence. I am looking forward to trying this... As soon as a few more people haul out so I dont have much of an audience.
Really helpful video. Have been struggling with this - love the long keel for its many other qualities and better sea handling but the stressful bit is getting into / out of a berth so I’m definitely going to practice this technique - thank you!
I’m in the same boat. Lol I’m a full keel with a tiller steer and I’ve been a real ass trying to back into my slip. But I’m going to practice this now!
hi! great video and plenty of usefull information. i have just a question regarding your experience... would you say that's easier with the full keel to bow docking or with stern docking following what you've just shown in this video? thanks in advance! :)
I would say it depends on the dock, wind and current. I don't own this boat any more, but when I did I would say I went in bow first %70 of the time, stern first the other %30.
Nice video. My previous sailboat had fin keel and outboard engine, could turn that on a dime. I've just bought a larger sailboat with full keel , and getting into my slip in the tight harbour space was quite a challenge. Will use your tips and practice more..
I'm going to try this technique next time. I dont have a full keel boat (pearson 303) but I dont have very much control in reverse. Today I was blown side to into some pilings because my stern got away from me. It was my first time leaving the slip with a little more wind. But I'll keep practicing and I'll try this technique. Thanks for sharing.
Some problems, IMHO, of this video: Before doing any movement in a marina, be TOTALLY aware of wind and current directions directions. Placid water can have important amount of current.
Sorry I didn't get it. What was the reason for the video? You want to show us that a long keel sailing vessel has a lot of propwalk when you start to steer in reverse? Well, every sailing vessel show this attitude at the beginning, more or less with no speed. A modern shaped sailing vessel need also a minimum of 0.5-1.0 knots of speed in reverse, depending of the shape (without wind and current). A longkeel vessel probably needs more speed in reverse? Or it's simply impossible to steer a longkeel in reverse? Why you didn't show us your longkeel in reverse with 2 or more knots of speed? It would be interesting to know if there is a significant rudder steering in reverse with a higher speed, or not. Thanks a.h.
Oh, you thought I was having a go at you. Not so, sorry. I'm just a learner. Your video was useful but my bow blows off like crazy so after about 15 knots, prop walk does little and I just have to be moving so fast to get enough steerage in forwards let alone reverse. . Aiming the stern is a good mindset. Do you think I could use a riding sail to even up the windage and keep the bow up?
This particular boat I am doing this maneuver on has a long keel with deep forfoot, weighs about 24000 lbs. The bow doesn't blow around too much. I definitely would not carry any sail, it would increase total windage and complicate things. I sold this boat about a year and a half ago and bought a gaff rigged sharpie in her place.
Thanks. The PS37 is 3/4 keel but the full keel guys do seem to have a better time of it in this respect. You are right, I should make a video, but one of how badly it can go and let people solve it for me! New Zealand just seems to have a lot of wind! PSC37 GANNET
I just compared the hull of your PSC to my old Fantasia. 2 ft longer and 8000 lbs lighter. I would expect your bow would blow around considerably more. My only thought is more throttle, it does amazing things.
Funny I was intetested in full keels and was wondering if any back up videos where out there. Yours came on the top of the list. Cool enjoyed it and learned somethong in the process.
An oldy but a goody. I don't think I would own another full keel boat. Not because of docking, more because I find they accelerate slowly out of tacks and lulls. At least the ones I have sailed.
@@Hindukushsailing just reading through these messages. Hope you bought the contessa 26. We had one for many years and for her size she proved fast, stable and extremely sea worthy. We love her. Especially good to windward. Tip, reef the main first! What a great video. Love it!
@@adammerry7886 Hello, hope all is well for you in Canada. I did purchase a sailboat it is a 1965 Pearson Triton 28. Similar to the Contessa 26. My other boat crushes where the Contessa 32 , Alberg 30 and the Cape Dory's of similar size. Thanks for the reply and have good 2021.
![Which MAST is SAFER? [Deck Step vs Keel Step] | Sailing Wisdom](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/6yZxdqx_rQE/mqdefault.jpg)
Fellow professional mariner here. You're 100% correct. I've had two supposedly unwieldy heavy full keeled boats. Both were pretty easy to get in and out of the slip under power. Once you figure out how the wind effects the particular boat and learn to use the prop walk and a spring line you can hold it's pretty easy.
For sure, I was able to drive this boat from day 1 no problem. Not too unwieldy if you drive it like a boat.
Thank you very much. I am trying to help a new boater to get comfortable with backing his Bayfield 29. Your instruction is very much appreciated.
Bayfield 29 is a nitemare to back up
Gday from Oz.Absolute brilliant video. I have a canoe stern manitou 32. I have practiced and practiced all sorts of techniques reversing. This is a completely different approach. I'm very confident this will work on my full keel. I'm excited to give it a crack. Cheers
Awesome, good luck with it.
This video has made me much more confident leaving the dock in my 37!ft Rafiki. Prevailing winds usually blow the bow opposite to what is needed to head out of my fairway. Bout 50% of the time I'm backing out but now it looks like I know what I'm doing!
Awesome. Rafikis are a lot like this boat.
Thanks a lot. My boat (Italian Classis 35) is an obstinate mule in reverse just like yours seems to be and the port of Rome (Italy) has really tight spaces. You're video encouraged me to give up on my hopeless quest to try to steer in reverse and just concentrate on the point and go technique you illustrated. Much better now. Thanks again!
Great. I bet Rome is a cool but busy place to sail. Hope it helps.
Great video. My Rival 32 is not full keel but keel and skeg hung rudder but she behaves in a similar way to a full keel. I use the techniques you are using, slowly does it is the key as you did, little forward and bit back and stay calm. Great job you did and you explained it very well. Cheers. Andy UK
Thanks :)
This was really well explained. Im buying my first full keel 40 foot very soon. Really helpful.. Thank you!
Great, enjoy!
As a new owner of a full keel yacht I know all about how hard it is to steer. The tiller nearly threw me across the cockpit with the force of trying to steer in reverse using the rudder. This video makes a lot of sense and I will definitely use this technique. Thanks for posting.
Great. I haven't owned this boat in several years now and I still get people watching it. I hope it helps. The steering on the boat in the vid is hydraulic steering, I have no doubt it could be tricky with a tiller.
@@travelbywater9378 This technique works well with a tiller if you centre it before reversing. Still a pain in a wind :)
I have seen a lot of backing videos but yours has made the most sence. I am looking forward to trying this... As soon as a few more people haul out so I dont have much of an audience.
+AJ DeGraw Thanks! If my video helps a few people out, it's done its job.
AJ DeGraw I
Really helpful video. Have been struggling with this - love the long keel for its many other qualities and better sea handling but the stressful bit is getting into / out of a berth so I’m definitely going to practice this technique - thank you!
I think a bunch of people have found it useful. Hope you do too :)
I’m in the same boat. Lol I’m a full keel with a tiller steer and I’ve been a real ass trying to back into my slip. But I’m going to practice this now!
i REALLY wish you were doing this in a boat with a tiller so I could more easily track the rudder placement.
That would have been ideal, but this boat has hydraulic power steering.
hi! great video and plenty of usefull information. i have just a question regarding your experience... would you say that's easier with the full keel to bow docking or with stern docking following what you've just shown in this video? thanks in advance! :)
I would say it depends on the dock, wind and current. I don't own this boat any more, but when I did I would say I went in bow first %70 of the time, stern first the other %30.
Very nice, thank you.
Thanks!
I'm definetly going to try this. You didn't mention prop walk, but I know how to take advantage of that.
Nice video. My previous sailboat had fin keel and outboard engine, could turn that on a dime. I've just bought a larger sailboat with full keel , and getting into my slip in the tight harbour space was quite a challenge. Will use your tips and practice more..
Very nice and informative 👌
this is very useful information, thank you!
I'm going to try this technique next time. I dont have a full keel boat (pearson 303) but I dont have very much control in reverse. Today I was blown side to into some pilings because my stern got away from me. It was my first time leaving the slip with a little more wind. But I'll keep practicing and I'll try this technique. Thanks for sharing.
David Macomber yes, the technique should work well on a Pearson, nearly any sailboat really. Good luck.
Some problems, IMHO, of this video:
Before doing any movement in a marina, be TOTALLY aware of wind and current directions directions. Placid water can have important amount of current.
tried this today and it worked well. tanky
Great, glad it worked out for you.
Steer with the bow to aim your stern. Got it!
Exactly :)
Definitely not buying long keel boat next. no need for extra stress and work when im trying to enjoy
Fair enough. I sold this one 6 years ago and wouldn't buy another.
... thanks, i'll give it a try :)
Sorry I didn't get it. What was the reason for the video?
You want to show us that a long keel sailing vessel has a lot of propwalk when you start to steer in reverse?
Well, every sailing vessel show this attitude at the beginning, more or less with no speed.
A modern shaped sailing vessel need also a minimum of 0.5-1.0 knots of speed in reverse, depending of the shape (without wind and current).
A longkeel vessel probably needs more speed in reverse?
Or it's simply impossible to steer a longkeel in reverse?
Why you didn't show us your longkeel in reverse with 2 or more knots of speed?
It would be interesting to know if there is a significant rudder steering in reverse with a higher speed, or not.
Thanks
a.h.
thanks
Bow thrusters work at treat on mine
Please show me again with 20 to 25 knots from astern as you go up the fairway.
Andrew McGeorge maybe you could show me ;)
Oh, you thought I was having a go at you. Not so, sorry. I'm just a learner. Your video was useful but my bow blows off like crazy so after about 15 knots, prop walk does little and I just have to be moving so fast to get enough steerage in forwards let alone reverse. . Aiming the stern is a good mindset. Do you think I could use a riding sail to even up the windage and keep the bow up?
This particular boat I am doing this maneuver on has a long keel with deep forfoot, weighs about 24000 lbs. The bow doesn't blow around too much. I definitely would not carry any sail, it would increase total windage and complicate things. I sold this boat about a year and a half ago and bought a gaff rigged sharpie in her place.
Thanks. The PS37 is 3/4 keel but the full keel guys do seem to have a better time of it in this respect. You are right, I should make a video, but one of how badly it can go and let people solve it for me! New Zealand just seems to have a lot of wind! PSC37 GANNET
I just compared the hull of your PSC to my old Fantasia. 2 ft longer and 8000 lbs lighter. I would expect your bow would blow around considerably more. My only thought is more throttle, it does amazing things.
your exactly right, that is how its done...
Works every time :)
looks like prescott ontario, nice marina there.
Cory Petrie Bingo, you got it! Yes, we really like Prescott.
Funny I was intetested in full keels and was wondering if any back up videos where out there. Yours came on the top of the list. Cool enjoyed it and learned somethong in the process.
An oldy but a goody. I don't think I would own another full keel boat. Not because of docking, more because I find they accelerate slowly out of tacks and lulls. At least the ones I have sailed.
@@travelbywater9378 Been looking at the Contessa 26's with great interest.
@@Hindukushsailing never sailed one, but I have read they are pretty capable. I like the design. Folkboat with a self draining cockpit. Perfect :)
@@Hindukushsailing just reading through these messages. Hope you bought the contessa 26. We had one for many years and for her size she proved fast, stable and extremely sea worthy. We love her. Especially good to windward. Tip, reef the main first!
What a great video. Love it!
@@adammerry7886 Hello, hope all is well for you in Canada. I did purchase a sailboat it is a 1965 Pearson Triton 28.
Similar to the Contessa 26. My other boat crushes where the Contessa 32 , Alberg 30 and the Cape Dory's of similar size. Thanks for the reply and have good 2021.
do you have a 2 blade or 3 blade prop ?
+Mosby's men Hi Mosby, big 3 bladed prop. Good, prompt power delivery forward and reverse.
What direction does your prop walk take you. Couldn’t tell in the video…
Thanks!