Vashon_Trawler
Guru
- Joined
- Jun 13, 2013
- Messages
- 598
- Location
- USA
- Vessel Name
- M/V Sherpa
- Vessel Make
- 24' Vashon Diesel Cruiser
Well, it was bound to happen. I experienced my first serious docking "challenge" yesterday. I will preface that I have a single screw with some nasty prop walk pulling me port. We were making our approach to the slip... all is fine... wifey is at the bow with her hook... forward... neutral.... forward... neutral... I am moving slowly and in position.
HOWEVER, I underestimated a strong current and wind that would compound my prop walk to port. I make a turn to go into my slip but the turn is too soon. My line-up is all wrong! Long story short... Prop walk and current pulls the stern to port and the bow is too far to starboard. I'm in the slip but I' going perpendicular to the dock! Wifey quickly grabs a cleat on the dock with her hook and pulls the bow in. I'm able to push the stern slightly away from the dock and pull the boat until we are in position. No damage to the boat--happy I installed my SS rub rails!
I learned to pay better attention to the wind and look for current direction! I am glad I have a wife who knows what to do without me having to shout commands. I'm also glad the usual docking committee was not present to witness the incident.
I am changing props to a 16x8 from a 16x10. Prop walk is BAD. The extra 300-400 RPM I may gain will still keep me within my engine's WOT range.
HOWEVER, I underestimated a strong current and wind that would compound my prop walk to port. I make a turn to go into my slip but the turn is too soon. My line-up is all wrong! Long story short... Prop walk and current pulls the stern to port and the bow is too far to starboard. I'm in the slip but I' going perpendicular to the dock! Wifey quickly grabs a cleat on the dock with her hook and pulls the bow in. I'm able to push the stern slightly away from the dock and pull the boat until we are in position. No damage to the boat--happy I installed my SS rub rails!
I learned to pay better attention to the wind and look for current direction! I am glad I have a wife who knows what to do without me having to shout commands. I'm also glad the usual docking committee was not present to witness the incident.
I am changing props to a 16x8 from a 16x10. Prop walk is BAD. The extra 300-400 RPM I may gain will still keep me within my engine's WOT range.