Moving The Boat

Question 1

Pivoting

Answer 1

Stern swings out opposite direction to rudder/steering and so the bow swings to the direction you have steered.

Because a boat pivots not turns like a car it must be pushed away from pontoon, use the current or other method to avoid obstacles etc.

Question 2

Prop Wash and Prop Walk

Answer 2

Prop Walk - Moving astern, propellor wash pushes boat sideways regardless of rudder.

Use to advantage by preplanning. But also consider wind, current and tide.

To determine side of prop walk - when moored slow revs astern and look at quarters, side with more wash means boat moves astern on opposite side to greater wash.

Right handed - prop clockwise moving ahead and shoves stern to port in reverse.
Left handed - prop anti-clockwise moving ahead and shoves stern to starboard in reverse

Question 3

Cross and up and down wind

Answer 3

Cross Wind - Impacts inversely with speed. Keel works efficiently with speed, if too slow it will stall, and bow blows to leeward. Also low speed rudder ceases to function.

Cross wind and prop walk together can make boat uncontrollable. Don’t try manoeuvre if it looks unlikely.

Left to own devices boats take position with quarter to the wind. Moving astern upwind is in natural state and rudder has little to do. If astern downwind though can be a nightmare and with prop walk can beam into wind so just be aware of moving into a berth astern.

Question 4

Mooring - Springs

Marina Moor
Classic Moor

Answer 4

Stops boat surging forward/backwards allowing bow and stern lines to do job of keeping boat close to dock.

Used to help off dock when blown on by For example pulling against stern spring moving astern pulls boat out.

Marina Moor: Use fairlead or amidships cleat can be convenient. Springs originate from dock
Classic Moor: Originates from bow and stern cleats and allows full function of springs

Question 5

Practical - Knots

Answer 5

Always cool clockwise ‘with the sun’

1. Bowline
2. Gasket Coil Hitch - Stowing
3. Locking Hitch - Mooring
4. Clove hutch and half hitch - fenders
5. Clove hitch
6. Round turn and two half hitches

Question 6

Slip Ropes

Answer 6

Allows handling of rope to be done aboard rather than on shore.

Put bight of rope round onshore cleat and bring both ends on board. When ready let go and put the shorter end in.

If original line is too tight, rig a slip line first then can ease of original line.