prop wash sailboat

Prop Wash vs. Prop Walk

Answer: You are experiencing prop walk and prop wash. Sailboats move by the water flowing down under the boat and over the rudder, which gives you the ability to steer the boat in the direction you need. When a motor gets into gear, the flow over the rudder changes and the boat is prone to react on its own, instability we call prop walk and prop wash. With a little understanding, you can predict it before you find yourself cozying up to a thousand dollar nightmare.

So what is prop walk? Prop walk is when the boat rotates when you put it in reverse with little to no steerage on the helm aka seemingly by itself. If you have a right-handed prop (prop spins clockwise in forewords), then when you are in reverse, the prop spins counterclockwise. This sudden change in rotation on the prop causes the stern of the boat to dramatically walk to the port - spins left, walks left. Prop walk occurs most frequently in reverse. You will have to be in motion for steerage to return to the wheel enough to navigate without prop walk taking you for a stroll.

Prop wash happens when changing from reverse to forwards or if you suddenly accelerate from a dead stop. These sudden movements cause the prop's spin to create turbulence over the rudder, causing instability while steering. If you have the wheel turned to the right a little bit, this will make the boat turn sharper to starboard then expected until it gains speed. If you arrive at speed gradually, your steerage scope will be returned. Some sailboats experience these effects worse than others due to the vessel's shape and where the prop is located.

Prop walk and prop wash aren't necessarily bad - they can be used to your advantage in tight docking situations. For example, if you approach the slip from an angle the boat can walk right into the slip. Parallel parking for the pros. Not only do you look like a rock star, you also work smarter, not harder. Avoid stressful situations docking ( and with their expensive boats! ) and use the concepts of prop walk and prop wash to your advantage next time you dock!

Cameron Sarik, Northern Virginia Sailing School

2 thoughts on “ ”

Wouldn’t it be nice if the forces created by propellers were only forward or reverse? Unfortunately at very slow boat speeds the rotation of the propellor blades in their lower 180 degrees of rotation forces a lot more water to the left or right than the blades do in their upper 180 degrees of rotation. Some call this a paddle wheel effect. Understanding this is why with my right hand propellor I only approach docks at an angle on my port side, Reverse thrust pushes my stern right parallel to the dock. Approaching a dock at an angle on my starboard side in reverse while slowing causes my bow to turn dangerously into the dock!!

I have been into boating for almost 15 years now and can totally tell that this article is really useful not only for beginners. Would you mind if I add your article to my web directory about boating? It would be a pleasure for me. Thanks!

Bite Sized Lessons : Prop Walk & Prop Wash

By: American Sailing Learn To Sail

We know that learning to sail can be overwhelming and there is a lot to take in. In an effort to help, we’ve created a series of “Bite Sized Lessons” taken straight out of our textbooks – Sailing Made Easy and Coastal Cruising Made Easy .

In this lesson we take a look at the effect of prop wash and prop walk when using the engine on a sailboat.

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Prop walk explained: What it is and how to use it to your advantage

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Our resident boating instructor Jon Mendez explains the phenomenon of prop walk and how you can use it to your advantage.

When the propeller on a boat is turned by the engine, the majority of the force it produces pushes the boat ahead or astern. However, the shape of the blades also creates a small amount of sideways force which creates a turning effect on the boat as well.

This force has several names – prop walk, propeller effect, transverse thrust – they all mean the same thing but for clarity I will call it ‘prop walk’.

It’s most apparent and easiest to see on a shaft driven boat. You can visualise it by mentally replacing the propeller on your boat with a paddle wheel while viewing it from astern; when the propeller is turning clockwise, so to the right (called a right-handed propeller), it wants to paddle the stern of the boat over to starboard.

Article continues below…

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When moving ahead this also causes the boat to pivot by turning the bow to port. When moving astern the effect is much more pronounced as the wash from the propeller is no longer going over the rudder so you can lose steering.

Now the turning effect of that same right-handed propeller in astern is to push the stern to port – and hence the bow to starboard. All of this happens the other way round with a left-handed propeller that spins anti-clockwise in ahead.

Knowing the rotation of your propeller is fundamental to all manoeuvres carried out on a single shaft boat, especially when going astern. Using this force to help with tight turns rather than hinder them is crucial as it gives you the ability to turn the craft ‘short’ – using the least amount of room.

To find out which way your boat’s propeller turns, while still securely tied to the berth briefly engage astern and see which side of the boat the wash comes out. If it exits to starboard it’s a right-handed propeller, if it exits to port then it’s a left-handed propeller.

Having worked out which way it turns and knowing that its effect is much greater in astern than ahead, it makes sense to always turn the boat using the prop walk effect in astern to push the stern the way it naturally wants to go and balance any fore and aft motion by using ahead and the power of water flowing over the rudder in short bursts to keep the turn going.

On a twin shaft boat, the starboard engine will usually have a right-hand propeller and the port engine a left-hand one. When both are used ahead or astern at the same time their prop effects cancel each other out but when used individually the prop walk of each engine can actually aid the manoeuvring process.

Our How To video series is brought to you in association with GJW Direct.

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Prop Walk: Understanding the Phenomenon and How to Navigate It

by Emma Sullivan | Jul 22, 2023 | Sailboat Racing

Short answer (prop walk): Prop walk is the tendency of a boat to deviate sideways from its intended course when in reverse. This phenomenon is caused by the deflection of water flow created by the rotation of the propeller. It can have significant effects on maneuverability and requires skillful handling by boaters.

Understanding Prop Walk: A Comprehensive Guide

Have you ever wondered why your boat behaves differently when maneuvering in reverse compared to forward? Or why it seems to stubbornly veer off to one side when trying to go straight? The answer lies in a phenomenon known as prop walk. In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into the fascinating world of prop walk, unraveling its mysteries and shedding light on its effects on boat handling.

So what exactly is prop walk? Simply put, it is the sideways force generated by a spinning propeller when a vessel is in reverse. This force tends to push the stern of the boat towards one side, causing it to pivot around that point. Understanding this concept is crucial for any boater looking to master their vessel’s maneuverability.

Prop walk can be influenced by various factors such as hull design, weight distribution, propeller size and pitch, and even water current. It manifests differently depending on the direction of rotation of the propeller blades. For example, a right-handed or clockwise rotating propeller will create more prop walk when in reverse compared to a left-handed or counterclockwise rotating one.

Now let’s tackle how prop walk affects boat handling. When maneuvering in reverse, the sideways force exerted by the prop walk can cause your vessel’s stern to swing either to port (left) or starboard (right), depending on various factors mentioned earlier. This sideward movement may seem unpredictable at first but can be harnessed with practice and understanding.

Knowing how your specific boat reacts to prop walk is essential for precise docking and navigating tight spaces. With experience, you’ll be able to anticipate and compensate for these lateral forces, becoming a skilled captain who effortlessly glides through marinas like a seasoned pro.

To counteract prop walk when going astern, there are several techniques at your disposal. One common method involves using short bursts of throttle accompanied by timely adjustments of the helm (steering), effectively counterbalancing the sideways force. Another approach is to utilize spring lines or dock lines to help pivot your boat in the desired direction, minimizing the effects of prop walk.

While prop walk is most evident when maneuvering in reverse, it can also have subtle effects on a vessel’s behavior when going forward. These effects are often felt as an unwanted veering off course or difficulty maintaining a straight line. Understanding that prop walk may persist even in forward motion can aid in better navigation and course correction while underway.

In conclusion, understanding prop walk is essential for any boater seeking mastery over their vessel’s maneuverability. By recognizing its causes, effects, and how to counteract it, you’ll be well-equipped to navigate tight spaces with confidence and finesse. So don’t let prop walk catch you off guard – arm yourself with knowledge and become the captain who effortlessly tames the forces of nature.

Mastering Prop Walk: Step-by-Step Instructions for Smooth Maneuvering

Are you a boating enthusiast who has experienced the challenge of maneuvering your vessel in tight spaces? If so, you’re probably familiar with prop walk – that mysterious and sometimes frustrating phenomenon where your boat seems to have a mind of its own. Fortunately, prop walk can be tamed through careful understanding and practiced technique. In this blog post, we will take you through step-by-step instructions to help you master prop walk and achieve smooth maneuvering in any situation.

Before we dive into the technical details, let’s briefly explain what prop walk actually is. Prop walk occurs due to the rotation of your boat’s propeller beneath the water. Depending on whether your propeller rotates clockwise or counterclockwise (determined by its design), it produces a corresponding propulsion force that affects how your vessel behaves when shifting gears or turning.

Now, let’s get started with our step-by-step instructions:

1. Know Your Boat: Before attempting any precise maneuvers, it’s crucial to understand your boat’s specific characteristics. Take some time to study your boat’s owner manual and become acquainted with its propulsion system and engine configuration. This knowledge will serve as a solid foundation for mastering prop walk effectively.

2. Practice Docking in Calm Conditions: To gain confidence in maneuvering your vessel smoothly, start by practicing docking in calm conditions. Choose a quiet location away from other boats or obstacles where you can focus solely on honing your skills at controlling prop walk without distractions or added pressure.

3. Utilize Slow-Speed Operation: When dealing with tight spots and limited space, slow-speed operation is key to maintaining control over prop walk. Ensure that you are well-versed in operating at low RPMs (revolutions per minute) so that you can minimize the propulsion forces generated by your engine, reducing the influence of prop walk.

4. Understand Your Propeller Rotation: As mentioned earlier, prop walk is influenced by the rotation direction of your boat’s propeller. By understanding which way your propeller turns (clockwise or counterclockwise), you can anticipate and counteract the corresponding forces that will be at play during maneuvers. This knowledge will enable you to make precise adjustments and minimize the impact of prop walk.

5. Master Throttle Control: The key to controlling prop walk lies in mastering throttle control. Practice controlling the power input through precise manipulation of throttle settings. Gradually increase or decrease throttle as needed to mitigate the effects of prop walk during critical moments, such as when approaching a dock or making tight turns.

6. Use Rudder Techniques: In combination with throttle control, proper utilization of your rudder can significantly enhance maneuverability and counteract prop walk. Learn how different rudder positions affect your vessel’s behavior and experiment with slight adjustments to achieve desired outcomes.

7. Predictable Weight Distribution: Distributing weight evenly throughout your boat contributes to predictable handling and reduces surprises caused by imbalanced loads affecting prop walk characteristics. Keep an eye on where passengers are positioned while maneuvering, especially during critical moments.

8. Leverage Wind and Currents: Rather than fighting against nature, try using wind and currents to your advantage whenever possible. Understanding their influence on your boat’s movement will help you set up more efficient approaches when dealing with tight spaces or challenging docking scenarios.

9. Practice Makes Perfect: Lastly, remember that mastering any skill takes practice! The more time you dedicate to understanding and experimenting with prop walk techniques outlined above, the better you will become at predicting its behaviors and ultimately achieving smooth maneuvering in various conditions.

So there you have it – step-by-step instructions for mastering prop walk! By following these guidelines, being patient with yourself, and embracing a bit of trial-and-error learning process, you’ll soon find yourself confidently gliding through even the trickiest of maneuvers. Happy boating!

Prop Walk FAQ: Answers to Common Questions About Handling Propeller Effect

Are you a boat owner or enthusiast who has heard the term “prop walk” but is unsure about its meaning and how it affects your vessel’s maneuverability? Don’t worry; you’re not alone! In this blog post, we’ll explore some frequently asked questions about prop walk and provide detailed, professional, witty, and clever explanations to help you better understand this phenomenon.

1. What exactly is prop walk? Prop walk refers to the sideways movement or rotation of a boat when maneuvering at low speeds due to the interaction between the propeller’s rotation and water flow. This effect is caused by a combination of factors such as the propeller’s design, its position on the boat’s hull, and the engine’s power output.

2. How does prop walk affect my boat’s handling? Prop walk can significantly impact your boat’s maneuverability, especially during tight turns or docking. For example, if you’re trying to turn your boat to port (left), prop walk might cause it to move slightly towards starboard (right) before making a left turn due to water pushing against the rudder or hull. Understanding prop walk will allow you to anticipate these movements and adjust your steering accordingly.

3. Can I minimize or eliminate prop walk altogether? While it may not be possible to eliminate prop walk completely because of its natural occurrence, there are a few techniques that can help mitigate its effects:

– Use opposite thrust: Applying counteracting thrust by briefly shifting into reverse gear can help counterbalance the prop walk effect and bring your boat back on track. – Adjust trim tabs: Experimenting with trim tab positions can sometimes offset uneven forces caused by propellers. – Practice deliberate maneuvers: Over time and with practice, understanding how your particular vessel responds during different situations involving low-speed turns will enable you to predict and compensate for any unwanted propulsion effects.

4. Is prop walk more pronounced in certain boats or engines? The extent of prop walk can vary depending on multiple factors, including the design and configuration of your boat’s hull, the size and position of your propeller(s), as well as the power output and torque characteristics of your engine(s). In general, single-engine boats will experience more noticeable prop walk compared to twin-engine vessels.

5. Are there any advantages to prop walk? Believe it or not, although sometimes considered a nuisance, prop walk does offer some benefits. Skilled boaters can actually harness this effect to their advantage in close quarters maneuvering by using it as an additional steering tool. Utilizing prop walk strategically enables captains to navigate tight spaces with greater precision and control.

6. Should I be concerned if my boat exhibits excessive prop walk? While some degree of prop walk is normal and expected during low-speed maneuvering, excessively strong or unpredictable effects should be investigated further. Potential causes could include improper installation, damaged components, or issues with alignment between the engine and drive system. If you’re experiencing unusual levels of prop walk, it’s advisable to consult a marine mechanic for a thorough inspection.

Understanding the intricacies of prop walk will undoubtedly enhance your ability to handle your vessel effectively at low speeds. By familiarizing yourself with its behavior and incorporating appropriate techniques into your boating skills repertoire, you’ll gain confidence in navigating tight spots while impressing fellow boaters with your newfound knowledge.

In conclusion, whether you’re an experienced sailor looking to brush up on nautical knowledge or a novice eager to learn more about boat handling peculiarities like prop walk — understanding how this phenomenon affects your vessel’s behavior will undoubtedly transform you into a skilled captain capable of effortlessly maneuvering through any situation that arises on the water!

Unraveling the Mystery of Prop Walk: How It Works and Why It Matters

Have you ever wondered why your boat seems to have a mind of its own when maneuvering in tight spaces? Well, fear not, fellow boaters, for we are about to uncover the enigmatic phenomenon known as “prop walk.” Let’s lift the veil on this mystery and dive into the depths of understanding how it works and why it matters.

At first glance, prop walk might appear like an unfathomable force that only experienced mariners can comprehend. However, beneath its seemingly perplexing nature lies a logical explanation rooted in fluid dynamics. So let’s embark on this intriguing journey together!

Prop walk is essentially the sideways force generated by a rotating propeller in operation. When your boat is put into reverse or forward gear, water is expelled astern (behind) or ahead (in front) of the vessel respectively. This expulsion creates a reactive force that pushes against the rudder or hull – resulting in either desired or unintended lateral movement.

Now that we’ve demystified what prop walk actually is, let’s explore the mechanics behind its operation. The direction of prop walk can typically be predicted based on three primary factors: rotation direction, blade pitch (angle), and hull design.

Firstly, the rotation direction plays a vital role in determining whether your boat will experience port-side (left) or starboard-side (right) prop walk. For example, if your propeller rotates counterclockwise as viewed from aft – which is most common for right-handed props – expect port-side prop walk.

Secondly, blade pitch influences the severity of prop walk. Higher blade pitches generate more thrust but also exacerbate sideways forces caused by water displacement. Hence, boats with higher-pitched blades typically experience more pronounced prop walk compared to those with lower pitches.

Finally, your vessel’s hull design significantly affects how prop walk manifests itself. Boats with fuller, rounder hull shapes, such as displacement hulls, have greater prop walk tendencies due to increased water resistance and displacement effects. In contrast, boats with flatter or planing hulls exhibit reduced prop walk characteristics.

Now that we’ve delved into the intricacies of prop walk’s mechanics, you might be wondering why it matters in your everyday boating adventures. Well, understanding prop walk and its effects is crucial for maneuvering your vessel safely and confidently.

While prop walk may seem like an unpredictable force at first glance, mastering its influence can enhance your docking and low-speed handling abilities. By anticipating the direction and magnitude of prop walk specific to your boat’s setup, you can make precise adjustments to compensate for its sideways movement.

Moreover, being aware of how prop walk affects your boat enables you to plan ahead while navigating in tight quarters – preventing potential collisions or accidents. It empowers you to strategize more effectively when approaching docks or entering crowded marinas with limited space for error.

In conclusion, unraveling the mystery of prop walk sheds light on a fundamental aspect of boating physics that often bewilders enthusiasts worldwide. By comprehending how it works and why it matters during maneuvers, you equip yourself with the knowledge needed to navigate confidently through any challenging docking scenario.

So next time you find yourself marveling at the wonders of prop walk aboard your vessel, remember that behind this mystifying phenomenon lies a captivating amalgamation of rotation direction, blade pitch, and hull design – all conspiring together to determine your boat’s lateral movement. Now go forth and conquer those tight spaces like a true captain!

Navigating with Confidence: Conquering Prop Walk Challenges on Your Boat

Introduction: When it comes to navigating a boat, having confidence in your skills is key. However, one challenge that many boaters face is dealing with prop walk – the phenomenon where the boat’s stern swings to one side when in reverse. But fear not! In this blog post, we will delve into this common issue and provide you with professional, witty, and clever strategies to conquer prop walk challenges on your boat.

Understanding Prop Walk: Prop walk occurs due to the rotation of the propeller and its interaction with water. As most boat propellers rotate clockwise when viewed from behind the vessel, they create a lateral force that pushes the stern towards the portside (left) when in reverse. This force can make maneuvering tricky, especially for inexperienced boaters.

Mastering Techniques to Overcome Prop Walk:

1. The Pivot Point Technique: To counter prop walk’s pull towards one side, understanding your vessel’s pivot point is crucial. Imagine a point near the bow where your boat spins around. By utilizing this knowledge effectively during reverse maneuvering, you can adjust your approach and minimize or neutralize prop walk’s effect.

Professional tip: Finding your pivot point requires practice and observation but once mastered; you’ll be able to use it as an advantage over others who may be struggling with their boats’ maneuverability.

2. Throttle Control: Gaining control over throttle manipulation is another crucial element in conquering prop walk challenges on any boat. By skillfully controlling forward and reverse thrusts using slight adjustments on your throttle lever or joystick (if equipped), you can exert more control over how the boat reacts to prop walk forces.

Witty advice: Think of adjusting throttle like playing a musical instrument – finesse is key! A gentle touch here and there can help you navigate through tricky maneuvers smoothly without letting prop walk take control of your steering.

3. Rudder Usage: The rudder is your trusted ally when combating prop walk. By strategically using the rudder in combination with throttle control, you can actively counteract the stern swing and keep your boat on a desired path. Turning the wheel or joystick steadily towards the same direction as prop walk helps overcome its effects.

Clever maneuvering hack: Picture yourself gracefully dancing on a ballroom floor – just like leading your partner during a waltz, using your rudder correctly will allow you to glide smoothly through any reverse maneuver, defying prop walk’s attempt to throw you off balance.

4. Practice Makes Perfect: As with any new skill, practice is crucial for conquering prop walk challenges efficiently. By dedicating time to hone your maneuvering techniques in various scenarios (such as docking or close-quarters situations), you can build confidence and develop an intuitive understanding of how your specific boat responds to prop walk forces.

Professional suggestion: Consider enrolling in boating courses or hiring an experienced instructor who can provide hands-on guidance tailored to your vessel type, reducing learning curves while boosting efficiency.

Conclusion: Remember that navigating with confidence involves conquering every challenge that comes your way – including prop walk on your boat. With these professional, witty, and clever strategies at hand, you’ll be better equipped to understand and manage the forces at play during reverse maneuvers. So don’t let prop walk get the best of you – take control like a seasoned captain and sail away with confidence!

Demystifying Prop Walk: Essential Tips and Techniques for Seamlessly Handling Your Vessel

Are you a boating enthusiast who has experienced the curious phenomenon known as prop walk? If so, you’re not alone! Many sailors and powerboaters have struggled to navigate their vessels smoothly due to this mysterious phenomenon. But fear no more, as we are here to demystify prop walk and provide you with essential tips and techniques that will help you handle your vessel seamlessly.

So, what exactly is prop walk? Well, it refers to the sideways movement or rotation of a boat caused by the propulsion force generated by its propeller. The main culprit behind this peculiar behavior is asymmetrical thrust, which arises when the blades of the propeller interact with water unevenly. This imbalance creates an unequal distribution of forces that can cause your vessel to veer off course or rotate unexpectedly.

Now that we have established what prop walk is, let’s delve into some valuable tips and techniques that will transform you into a master navigator:

1. Understand Your Boat’s Propeller Configuration: It’s crucial to have a clear understanding of your boat’s specific propeller configuration. Different types of boats (sailboats vs. powerboats) may have single or multiple propellers with varying pitch angles and blade designs. Knowing these details will give you insight into how your vessel reacts to different throttle inputs.

2. Master Throttle Control: Skillful management of throttle control is key to mitigating the effects of prop walk effectively. Gradual adjustments rather than sudden changes in throttle settings can help minimize unwanted oscillation or rotation caused by asymmetric thrust.

3. Utilize Rudder Steering: One effective technique for counteracting prop walk is using rudder steering in conjunction with throttle manipulation. By applying slight opposite rudder amidst acceleration or deceleration, you can significantly reduce the sideways movement induced by prop walk.

4. Be Mindful of Prop Walk While Docking: Docking can be a nerve-wracking experience for even the most seasoned boat handlers. Understanding how prop walk affects your vessel during slow-speed maneuvers is crucial. Practice precise throttle control and employ rudder steering to your advantage, carefully compensating for the sideway movement generated by your propeller.

5. Experiment with Propeller Walk: Keep in mind that prop walk may not always have negative implications. In certain situations, such as tight turns or confined spaces, the same phenomenon can be harnessed to your advantage. By understanding how to utilize controlled prop walk, you can execute sharp turns with precision and finesse.

Remember, mastering prop walk takes time and practice. Every boat is unique, and it’s essential to familiarize yourself with its characteristics through trial and error. By incorporating these tips into your boating repertoire and staying patient with yourself, you’ll gradually become more adept at navigating smoothly despite the occasional quirks of prop walk.

In conclusion, don’t let prop walk mystify or intimidate you any longer! Armed with these essential tips and techniques, you now possess the knowledge required to handle your vessel seamlessly. So go out there, put these strategies into action, and enjoy a newfound confidence as you conquer the waterways like a true professional sailor or powerboater!

Prop Walk: How To Manage Your Boat’s Pivot When Leaving the Dock

By Will Sofrin
April 12, 2023

I used to get stressed out about docking, especially when a crowd was judging every step of my technique. But, after countless rounds of practicing the art of parking on water, I’ve realized that I am much more anxious about disembarking than docking. It’s the going from a dead stop that flusters my feathers, especially if there is a lot of traffic. At least when I am approaching a dock, my boat has some way, meaning I have steerage and control.

Today, I have the most manageable docking situation one could dream of. My slip is deep in California’s Marina del Rey basin. It points west into the prevailing wind and is shrouded by a row of tall buildings. Disembarking is an easy affair because the water is almost always like glass, and I never have to contend with currents or tides. I simply cast off my dock lines, push the boat back, hop on board, and turn the rudder. I don’t even use the reverse gear. I wait until I have cleared the dock, and then I shift the engine into forward just before I spin my wheel to head out.

Disembarking has not always been this easy. The trickiest scenario for me was the Nantucket Boat Basin in Massachusetts, during the Opera House Cup Regatta in August 2022, surrounded by millions of dollars’ worth of pristinely manicured wooden boats with miles of shimmering varnish. Many of the boats raft up, packing the basin so tightly that the first boat in must be the last boat out to head to the racecourse the following morning.

Simply casting off the dock lines and pushing back is not an option. Most boats have traditional underbodies, meaning they have a keel-hung rudder, and backing straight out can be a real challenge. This is even truer for the ones with an offset prop, which is a propeller that is not on centerline. These heavy, old wooden boats don’t do so well moving in reverse, even before you add the potential adverse effects of prop walk.

Prop walk occurs when a vessel is at a dead or near-dead stop. With no forward way, the sudden force of the propeller turning causes the boat’s stern to pivot laterally, also known as yaw. Understanding how this works can make you look like an absolute whiz when docking your boat in a tight situation.

The effect occurs on a majority of single-engine vessels because most have a shaft that is angled slightly downward, resulting in a propeller blade that is not oriented perpendicular to the water’s surface. The downward angle of the propeller blade results in a downstroke thrust that is less than the upstroke thrust. The differential in thrust output pushes the vessel’s stern sideways.

The effects of prop walk can vary. It’s more pronounced on boats with keel-hung rudders, but it’s still present on boats with spade rudders. Other factors, such as shallower depths and wind, can reduce its effects. Boats with saildrives should not experience prop walk because the saildrive is oriented parallel to the surface of the water.

And then, there are multihulls. Catamarans typically have an engine in each hull. They spin in different directions so that the torque balances out. As many sailors will tell you, the luxury of having twin engines can be helpful when trying to pivot any boat in tight quarters. God forbid one of the engines goes out because your steerage will then be limited mostly to turning the boat in the direction of the lost engine in forward gear, and the same when in reverse gear.

So, how does one use prop walk to their advantage? Well, the first thing is understanding the direction of spin. A right-handed propeller rotates clockwise if viewing it from the stern looking forward. A left-handed spin rotates counterclockwise. A right-handed fixed propeller will tend to push the stern of a vessel to port when in reverse, and to starboard when running forward.

How do you determine if your boat has a left- or right-handed prop? My boat has a Yanmar 2GM20F. The online engine manual confirms that the direction of rotation is clockwise. My boat has a right-handed prop.

To teach my wife, Alicia, how to use prop walk to her advantage, we motored out into the center of a channel on a day with little traffic and no wind. We brought the boat to a dead stop about two boat lengths from a channel buoy. Alicia turned the rudder hard over to starboard, shifted the engine into forward gear, and throttled up for two seconds. She then quickly throttled down and shifted the engine back into neutral.

Next, Alicia shifted the engine into reverse gear for two seconds, stopping any forward momentum. She then shifted back to neutral. Both bursts had to be quick and strong because we were trying to prevent the boat from moving forward or backward.

The prop wash encountered resistance from the hard-turned rudder. As a result, our boat began to rotate on a center pivot access to port.

Watching the buoy for reference, Alicia repeated the process multiple times, rotating our boat to 180 degrees within a boat length. We then brought our boat over to the fuel dock and tied up starboard-side to. When ready to disembark, without springing the boat, we cast off our dock lines. Alicia repeated the process we had practiced. As expected, the stern kicked out to port. She then shifted the transmission back into reverse gear, throttled up slightly, and smoothly backed our boat away from the fuel dock like a pro.

Will Sofrin is a wooden-boat builder who has sailed professionally throughout Europe, New England and the Caribbean. He is also the author of All Hands On Deck: A Modern-Day High Seas Adventure to the Far Side of the World .

Wrangling Cats

Disembarking on a catamaran requires a whole different skillset. Collin Marshall, head sailing engineer and commissioning skipper for Kinetic Catamarans in South Africa, says that he prefers to back out off the dock because the stern takes longer to get blown back in compared with the bow. This is due to the lateral resistance that rudders create, as well as the forward windage on deck from deckhouses and the mast, which is typically stepped farther forward than on a monohull.

Marshall starts by springing the catamaran forward to help kick the stern out from the dock. Then, with the stern out and engines in reverse, he splits the throttles and aims the stern in the direction he wants to go, away from the dock.

“Keep the rudders straight,” he says. “Remember that you have two engines very far apart, so forget about the rudders and wheel. That’s where people make mistakes, because they will turn the wheel and then forget to straighten it out, and then, in a pinch, they might focus on the throttles, forgetting about the rudders being turned over, adding more chaos to a situation.”

He also says that having a bow thruster (even in just one hull) can make all the difference. With that tool, he can parallel-park a 50-foot catamaran on a dime no matter where the wind is coming from. -WS

More: catamaran , Hands-On Sailor , How To , Print April 2023 , Sailboats , seamanship
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Dual Rudder: Maneuvering Under Power

Part of being a forward-thinking sailing education company includes constantly updating our material as a result of new developments, student feedback, and our own team’s experiences. Because, what’s one of the thousands of benefits of online sailing education? Courses can be updated without publishing an entirely new physical book. In other words, we can make sure that our information is up-to-date and serves our students well.

Maneuvering Under Power UPDATE to include dual rudder monohulls

Many newer boats have dual rudders, so we’ve updated our Maneuvering Under Power course to reflect this change. When a monohull sailboat has dual rudders, it will act differently than with a single rudder, so knowing what these differences are and how to manage them will save you a lot of headaches (and will keep you safer).

Ummm do I have a dual rudder monohull?

Don’t confuse dual helms with dual rudders! Dual helms do not necessarily mean dual rudders. You’ll have to either check the actual boat specs to see if it has dual rudders under the water or go for a swim and look!

Tip: This is a good thing to ask about if you’re chartering a sailboat internationally.

illustration of a sailboat with dual rudders visible under the water

What’s the Advantage to a Dual Rudder?

When sailing, a dual rudder configuration offers several advantages over a single rudder. One of the main benefits is the increased rudder surface area in the water, which enhances maneuverability, control, and reduces the tendency to round up into the wind when hit by a gust. Additionally, it can improve the boat’s ability to sail upwind.

However, there is a trade-off: the boat becomes less maneuverable under power and during docking, which is when incidents are more likely to occur.

What is the main difference between maneuvering single or dual rudder monohulls?

Propeller wash over the rudder is a key consideration. In the case of single rudder monohulls, the rudder is positioned directly behind the propeller. As a result, when the boat’s engine is in forward gear, the wash from the propeller flows directly onto the rudder. This enables you to manipulate the boat’s stern in any desired direction without relying on the boat’s speed through the water—just by using the thrust of the prop wash.

With dual rudders, the propeller wash does not flow over the rudder, thus eliminating this maneuvering capability.

The absence of propeller wash makes it challenging to effectively utilize spring lines during docking because you cannot utilize the opposing force vectors between the rudder force generated by the prop wash and the dockline pulling the boat towards the dock.

From Maneuvering Under Power & Docking Course

Bow Thrusters with a Dual Rudder Sailboat

Most dual rudder boats have a bow thruster. This is essentially an electric motor that is mounted sideways under the water line at the bow of the boat. The bow thruster pushes water to one side or the other depending on how you need the bow to move. This makes maneuvering your boat a whole lot easier and gives you a lot more control.

BUT – as with anything on a boat, bow thrusters break. Do you have the inherent skills for maneuvering your dual rudder boat without the use of a bow thruster?

For more details (and our trademark animations to really make sure you understand), sign up for our Maneuvering Under Power course .

Become an Expert at Maneuvering

When it comes to maneuvering under power in a marina, no one wants the embarrassment of looking like an amateur. This is a comprehensive maneuvering course full of animations and tips and tricks. It is hands down the best maneuvering course in the world.

If you already have the Maneuvering Under Power course in your NauticEd curriculum, you can sign back in and gain access to this upgrade for FREE.

If you have not taken this valuable course, the $39 investment is guaranteed to save you money as well as prevent embarrassment.

Maneuvering a Catamaran

Are you still in the mood for learning about maneuvering boats in a marina/under power? Check out our recent post about maneuvering a catamaran in a marina or to a mooring ball. Obviously, catamarans are different than monohulls, so if you’re planning on sailing a catamaran (or if you’re just curious), check out the post at the link below.

Virtual Reality Sailing Courses!

One more thing. We’ve launched a virtual reality sailing course that really brings maneuvering under power to life. This is probably one of the sailing education lessons that people are the most hesitant to learn in real life, so we’ve found a way to make the gap between “book” knowledge and experience a little smaller and less intimidating.

Watch our introduction video to practicing in a marina in virtual reality.

Virtual Reality Sailing Course

Try Virtual Reality Sailing! Learn sailing knowledge and skills “hands-on” in fully immersive, 3D Virtual Reality with realistic physics. Available now on Meta Quest.

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Sign-up and get 2 free courses and a free sailing eLogbook to build your sailing resume for charter companies worldwide.

I find myself drawn to any project that allows me to learn and use my creativity to solve problems - and sailing tops my list!

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Sailing Eurybia

Two Humans and a Dog sail Mexico on a Sea Maid Ketch

Tips for Docking a Sailboat Safely and Confidently

April 18, 2019 10 Comments

I grew up in a sailing family. I learned by example from my dad, then by experimentation after that. Since our early boats had no engines (nor did they go in reverse!) I did not learn about docking except how to sail a tiny light boat up to a dock and turn into the wind. Not much use for our 32,000 pound 45’ boat! Ever since I had been docking by winging it – and sometimes winging the bow pulpit. I successfully docked in most situations, but it was always nerve-wracking.

Finally I have had an opportunity to change that. I took my first ever ASA class here in San Francisco and learned techniques I would not have thought of, plus got confidence by doing it myself. The Advanced Motoring & Docking class as taught by Tradewinds Sailing School in Richmond, CA is fabulous. At first I thought it seemed expensive at $325. However it’s a full day on the water and the in-person instruction was fabulous. There were just two of us in the class and we used a Jeanneau 43 for the day. I learned so much about controlling the boat in tight quarters WITHOUT jumping off the boat or doing other dangerous and unnecessary actions. Although they test on the ASA information, they also introduce their own methods which, I have to agree, seem far better than the traditional approaches.

I will share with you some of the information I learned, but of course my notes are only to pique your interest and maybe give you some hints for your own docking. I strongly recommend that if this interests you that you find a course yourself, but you might ask if their methods require jumping off the boat to catch lines when docking. Tradewinds methods have convinced me that this is a dangerous and unnecessary practice, despite being the most commonly seen. Tradewinds trains you to stay on the boat, keep the boat under control, and step off the boat to tie dock lines only when the excitement has ended, the boat is stopped, and it is safe to do so slowly.

Motoring Concepts

Moving a boat under power has six elements that you have to balance or learn to work around. Wind and Current clearly can affect how the boat behaves. Prop Walk and Prop Wash are two ways that the boat’s motion is affected by the propeller action. And finally Momentum (how much way you have on) and Inertia (the tendency to keep moving in the direction you are already going, even when the engine is in neutral) are two more forces that can be used as tools to controlling the boat by power. These influences are probably familiar to you but we’ll run through them quickly.

Wind and Current

Current tends to affect the whole boat, making it move downstream in generally a straight line. It can also be hard to see until you suddenly realize you are going to miss the slip you were aiming for.

Current pushes the entire boat downstream

Wind tends to affect the bow most quickly, making it trickier to move the bow into the wind without it blowing off. But this means that reversing into a wind is often easier than powering forward into a head wind. Useful to realize that.

Wind tends to blow the bow downwind faster than the stern

Momentum and Inertia

Momentum is the amount of force your boat has based on its speed and weight. Momentum is why you want to have control over speed – as they say you should approach the dock at the speed at which you are willing to hit it. Inertia is the tendency to stay moving a particular direction. Inertia will be essential in fighting prop walk – read on!

Prop Walk and Prop Wash

Prop Walk is the tendency for the boat to turn in a particular direction when reversing. Most boats have a right-hand turning propeller which forces the stern to the left when in reverse. Left-hand propellers would do the opposite. In the following paragraphs I will default to a right-hand turning propeller but I will try to remember to put notes in parentheses e.g. (LH: steer left) for those with left-hand drive props.

How do you know whether you have a right-hand or left-hand drive? If you have tried to reverse you may have noticed that it curled off to one direction or another. But if you have a new boat then you can check this at the dock when tied off securely. Put the engine in forward with moderate throttle. On one side of the boat or another, just aft of amidships, you will see agitated water. The other side of the boat will be calmer. This agitated water is the result of Prop Wash as the propeller blasts water off the keel. For a boat propeller that turns to the right, clockwise, (when viewed from astern) the prop wash will appear on the starboard side (and your boat will reverse to the left). If you see the turbulence on your port side you have a left-hand drive, your boat will reverse to starboard, and will need to follow the (LH: xxx) instructions.

Whichever direction of Prop Walk your boat has, transitions to neutral will allow the boat to keep moving backwards without continuing to turn. Short bursts in reverse will apply more power to keep moving backwards, but once you get way on again, pop into neutral to counteract the turning.

Going into neutral allows the boat to stop exhibiting prop walk while still moving in the direction you were going the moment you slipped out of reverse.

Use Minimum Motions

Big motions get you in trouble on a boat. Tiny adjustments are often enough and easy to counteract if you went the wrong direction. A 6” turn of the wheel is plenty – do a little and watch. Likewise just changing gears is often enough, you may not need to throttle up to change the motion of your boat. Change gears first, then throttle up slowly if you still need the power. Occasionally you will need to give a burst of throttle, but it still does not need to be a large change, just quick.

Note: If you have a throttle and a gear shift (my boat has a single handle for both functions) then don’t forget: Forward – Neutral – Reverse – never go straight from Forward to Reverse, always pause in Neutral to avoid transmission damage.

Remember A Boat Doesn’t Drive Like a Car

My very first cruising boat was a homemade beauty that had some, shall we say, peculiarities. One of these was that the steering system was from a car. The steering wheel was a smallish car steering wheel and it was hooked up backwards – you turned left to go right – sort of like a tiller. Boy did I get confused when trying to back up! I assume you don’t have this issue on your boat. However notice that this entire article assume you have wheel steering. For tillers a right rudder is effected by turning the tiller LEFT, whereas a steering wheel (usually) is turned right to effect a right rudder.

In some ways a boat DOES turn like a car: When you are going forward (assuming sufficient speed) and turn the wheel to the right your boat starts a right turn in a gentle arc. If you were to reverse (assuming sufficient speed) it would follow that same arc in reverse (until you slow enough for prop walk to affect your boat’s motion).

A boat tends to reverse along the same turn arc that it goes forward on

Whether going astern (with sufficient speed) or ahead the boat tends to travel along an arc. The left image above shows the path when the rudder / wheel is turned left and the right image shows the path with right rudder / wheel.

However, unlike a car, a boat turns about a pivot point aft of the main. So when the bow moves to the right in a turn, the stern is swinging out to the left.

If you’re turning a boat your stern can hit a pillar which the bow cleared just fine – check your stern and turn when it is safe for the stern to swing out.

Also be aware of Advance which is much greater in a boat than in a car. Advance is the distance before the opening that you need to start your turn (when entering forwards). Our instructor told us that for the 43’ boat we were sailing that we needed to start the turn into the slip about 62’ out – about 3 of our marina’s 21’-wide slips before the slip we were going into. Remember that the helmsman determines when to start turning so the advance distance is properly the horizontal distance from the helm station to the center of the slip you are going to.

Advance is the distance between where you are and where you wil end up if you start turning

Other sources say to turn when the opening is 30 degrees off the direction of your boat. Try these methods until you are comfortable turning into your home slip and you can estimate a similar distance or angle when going into an unfamiliar marina.

Docking Techniques

Note that these docking techniques are different than most of us are taught in two ways:

no one jumps off the boat until the boat is stopped next to the dock
you do not throw lines to people on the dock, instead you stay in control until stopped then step off the boat

This may be heresy to you and other captains you sail with, but it is much safer for both your crew and your boat.

Some Techniques to Practice

If you think of docking as being done 75% in neutral you won’t be far off. Neutral has the great advantage of taming prop walk and utilizing momentum effectively. Of course you have to use forward and reverse to get anywhere, but think of forward and reverse as momentary “correctors” that just increase your momentum or change your direction.

In some of these maneuvers you will want to have a “loop” prepared to help control the boat when you arrive. An aft spring loop will be a mooring line secured at your aft cleat and your waist (midships) cleat with enough slack to nearly touch the water. It will be used when heading forwards along a dock.

A forward spring loop is similar – a mooring line secured at your bow cleat and your waist (midships) cleat with enough slack to nearly touch the water. It will be used when backing onto a dock. In both cases you want there to be enough slack that the crew can pick up the slack in two hands and toss it over a cleat on the dock when the boat is nearly stopped and in good control close to the dock. The boat will back down (forward spring loop) or move up (aft spring loop) and get sucked into the dock with no need to use (unreliable) bystanders or dangerous leaps to shore from a moving boat. See more detail in Parallel Approaches below.

Back-and-Fill or Standing Turn

A standing turn, changing direction or “spinning” in place, also called Back-and-Fill is a useful technique. You can practice this is an open area, or for best results, in an empty mooring field where you can really mark your starting position. For a RH Drive boat you will put your wheel all the way to the right (LH: Left wheel) and lean against it to hold it in place – you will not be turning the wheel again until you’re done . Go forward and proceed slowly on your turn. When you are starting to move away from your starting position, go into reverse, where you will be helped by prop walk as well as the rudder angle. Once you start to go backwards rather than just turning, shift back into forward and continue alternating forwards and reverse until your boat is facing the new direction. Straighten your wheel to proceed.

Standing Turn is done by turning the wheel fully to the right and alternately reversing and going ahead as the turn is accomplished. This reverses your boat nearly in its place.

The Standing Turn or Back-and-Fill. The dark line out the back represents the rudder/wheel position and the pink arrow indicates direction of travel. By alternately reversing and going forward you can turn your boat in place.

Where do you use this?

preparatory to backing into your slip
turning in a fairway when you are headed the wrong direction (oh – the fuel dock is over THERE!)
any time you need to turn the boat around and have limited space to do it
showing off for your friends

Perpendicular Forward Approach

Say you are approaching the fuel dock. It is directly in front of you. You are going to need to turn to come parallel to it. How close do you get before turning? A rule of thumb is approach until the bow of your boat appears to be at the same level as the dock you are approaching. This is a rough guide, but much easier than trying to guesstimate when you are, say 62’ away. Then once you are parallel to the dock proceed as for Parallel Forward Approach below.

Parallel Forward Approach

This is probably the most common way to approach a pump-out or fuel dock when there is plenty of room to do so. When you can approach from either side equally then plan to approach port side to the dock (LH: starboard side to the dock) so you can use prop walk in getting off if needed. Prepare an aft spring loop on the port side (LH: starboard side) as described above. Approach slowly in forward gear from a ways out, turn 30 degrees to the dock until you judge you are getting close, then straighten the wheel. You should be in neutral by now. Make adjustments (reverse if you’re going too fast, forward if you’ve lost way) and slow down until you are stopped or nearly stopped a few feet away from the dock. Ask the crew to toss the aft spring loop onto a cleat. Then pop into forward with very low throttle and turn the wheel away from the dock. The boat will be sucked into the dock and held there so that crew can safely and slowly disembark. If you need to do a lengthy fuel up or need to take your boat out of gear for another reason then the crew can secure the boat normally with mooring lines. Otherwise you can just stay in gear while you pump out.

Aft Spring Loop – Forward Gear – Turn away from dock

Parallel Backwards Approach

This approach is very similar to above but you will be backing in and using a forward spring loop. The preference is also to land on the port side (LH: starboard side) In this method but you can approach with either side to the dock in good conditions (little wind or current). Once the spring is deployed, pop into a gentle reverse, and you will be sucked into the dock and against the spring line.

Forward Spring Loop – Reverse Gear – Rudder not significant

You can also use this method if you are going in forward but the only cleat is ahead. Then you can use the forward spring but change into reverse and go backwards to secure yourself against the dock.

Wind Conditions

Wind on your bow is destabilizing – the bow can blow down and it is difficult to control the boat. However moving your stern into the wind is actually easier – the bow tends NOT to blow off when the stern is into the wind. You do have to contend with prop walk, but you have been given ways to deal with that.

So if you are approaching your slip on a very windy day these are the easiest ways to approach:

back in if the wind is coming out of your slip
go in forwards if the wind is blowing into the slip

Especially if others are watching! Why make it harder?

Backing in with wind ahead

But if you do need to back up with the wind from forward and your bow is tending to blow off, it gets confusing knowing which direction to turn. Rather than try to wrestle through the logic, just turn in the direction you DON’T want the bow to go.

If backing up and the bow starts to fall off to starboard, turn starboard. If it starts to fall off to port, turn to port. Little turns, a few inches.

Why does this work? Remember that when in reverse the stern turns to the right when the wheel is right, which means the bow turns to left.

Backing Out of the Slip – Basic

The most basic idea about leaving the slip is to plan for where you want to end up. You always want to end up on the windward side of the center line down the fairway heading towards the exit. For those with a fairway exit opposite the direction their prop walk takes them, well, you may need to back down the fairway and you should become comfortable with this. You can also use spring lines or warps to get your boat turned opposite the prop walk direction, but that is beyond the scope of this article.

Wind Coming out of the slip

The wind will assist getting out of the slip but you need to take a fairly tight turn so that you stay on the windward side of the slip and don’t blow down on the boats across the fairway. You may need a spring line on the outer leeward side of the slip to help you turn.

Wind Blowing into the slip

When the wind is blowing into the slip it’s essential to reverse a little more forcefully to get out of the slip, but you can take a wider turn so as to end up on the other side of the fairway. You will need to make sure you can get your bow around so that you don’t get blown back down onto the pilings around your slip. So as soon as you are out of the slip and are crossing the center line of the fairway forcefully turn the wheel towards the wind, shift into forward and give it plenty of throttle to get that bow moving.

Back out of your slip to the windward side of the fairway

I hope these notes give you a few more ways to think about docking. I haven’t talked much about using lines to further control your entry to or departure from a slip – that’s the Advanced Advanced Class! Likewise maneuvering around other boats on the docks you are approaching. But in good conditions and without other boats around these methods will work with no additional measures. So practice these docking techniques until you are confident entering and departing your slip in good conditions, and you can approach the fuel dock with confidence. Good Luck and Be Calm.

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Hello all I am having a heck of a time with a newly purchased Watkins 27. Need any and all suggestions. Have significant drift to starboard when in reverse which I cannot seem to compensate for by steering hard to port. I have a oyster bed on the starboard side of my slip so it is essential that I back out to port. Cannot however due to the prop wash. Is there any solution to this issue? Would a new prop (right hand) solve the problem? Thanks for your help. Dennis

I know of no way to stop prop walk, though quite a few people I've met have found that installing a MaxProp does it, but that's a pretty expensive fix. When boats have a significant prop walk, it can be compensated for by doing your steering in forward. Do not try to steer in reverse, but keep the helm hard over (in your case to stb) and when she moves to starboard beyond what you'd like, give the throttle a hard, quick burst in forward to swing your stern to port. If done properly, your stern should swing but the boat will not actually move forward. Then put her in reverse and repeat. With a little practice you'll soon be able to back her anywhere you please. We back to port, so whenever possible, we tie port side to. This makes docking a lot easier.

Don't think you can just switch a left hand prop for a right hand prop due to reduction gear difference in forward and reverse. I've never known anyone to do that. Do you have a fixed blade prop now? If so they are very asymmetrical ion blade shape and can be very inefficient in reverse. You could consider a Max Prop with symmetrical blades. I don't think will totally solve your problem but it will help a lot. The Max Prop is very efficient in reverse. It is expensive and you would have to check the dims of your aperture to make sure it would fit.

The quickest trick to learn is not to keep the engine in reverse. Either push the boat out of the slip by hand (with the rudder turned in the direction that you want to steer), or use a quick and high RPM burst of reverse then back to neutral so that you can steer. Your boat is light enough that you should be able to push it out of the slip in most conditions. Your boat has a very very long fin keel which is going to make it harder. You might need to use a spring line to warp the boat around the corner of the dock. This video is useful: and this one: This one is very long, but complete: Finally, there is nothing wrong with seeing if you can get a slip that is better tuned to how your boat handles. The measured prop walk of the Max-Prop wasn't that low in the Yachting Monthly Test: http://www.flexofold.com/upload_dir/docs/Test_YachtingMonthly_low.pdf I'm installing a feathering prop on my boat today, it will be the third prop on this boat (the first was a 2 blade Michigan Sailer, the second was a 3 blade fixed Campbell Sailor, the third will be a 3 blade Featherstream). I can let you know how propwalk compares when it is done. I've used a Max-Prop, but can't compare it to anything else because I've never used another prop on the same boat. alex

Many boats suffer from prop walk and it can be very tricky to overcome. It occurs when water flowing past the hull has more effect on steering than the rudder. Every hull reacts differently to prop wash but the way I deal with it is to start reversing at the lowest possible idle I can and sometimes I will even slip the transmission it in and out of gear until I have enough water flow over the rudder to overcome the "Hull Walk". Sometimes, if the current and wind is also against me, I will hold the boat in place in the slip until I sufficient flow to gain steerage. My boat will pinwheel to port (RH rotation prop) in it's own length if I try to back with any kind of power applied but there is a sweet-spot and if I stay in it the boat will back just fine.

Wow, you guys are fast (or maybe I'm just slow). I feel like I'm in a texting conversation with my kids. Bob has a point. When I took delivery of my current boat it had a three blade fixed prop and I almost couldn't control it in reverse. I switched to a two blade folding Martec and it got much better. Not sure if that's attributable to the blade symmetry or the fact it has much less thrust in reverse. Whatever the cause it sure helped my boat.

would it be feasible to back into your slip then just drive out in forward?

Just what I was going to ask.

I almost always use a spring line when backing out of the slip. I double the length of the line so that the line comes with me as I leave the slip. I can not back my boat in a straight line no matter how hard I try. It's a full keel with a cutaway forefoot and I even have a max prop. The max prop is great for stopping the boat and while it still has prop wash, I use it to my advantage. It's a right hand prop so when coming along side I can use the wash to kick the stern to port when putting the transmission into reverse. By alternating between forward and reverse(and using the rudder) the boat can be turned within its length provided the wind and current are not too strong.

What I do and others do out on the pile moorings in the marina I am at is to go astern with a bowline attached to the pile directly off the nose. Once I get the engine going a bit I have my wife drop the bowline. Single handers aroung me have the line off the bow led aft and they ease it by hand as the go astern and then let it go. Got to make sure the line does not foul anything on the deck. If the line is of proper length you will not foul it with the prop when you come in. Hope that helps.

My boat came w/ a fixed 2 blade. Prop walk in reverse was terrible. I looked at every option out there and settled on a KIWI. The prop walk disappeared.Jim

On my current boat, I find that if I start with high power and the helm full over to counter the wash, the rudder grabs sooner. Yea, you go the wrong way for a few feet, then it catches. Once it catches, you need to be quick to straighten out the rudder, or you'll start going the other way. We've got a max prop and and skeg hung rudder. Lot's of walk normally. YMMV, every boat we've owned is a little different and required experimentation away from anything we didn't want to hit.

Nothing you can do to stop prop walk, as others have mentioned. You need to set yourself up so that it is useful. That and spring lines will do the trick. Can you post a diagram of you slip and surrounds or a marina.com link? There might be some other suggestions to be made, if we could better see what you're dealing with.

Dennis, My W27 has the worst prop walk ever. To back, I must throw tiller hard over to port and start R at idle, gove a bit ofthrottle and knock it into N immediately. Repeat a time ot two to make way, then stay in N while maneuvering.Steerage in R is near one quarter of fwd Non optimal approach is reliant on lotsa room to swing and vast pre planning. In odd wind, I spring line back onto the dock. My lastt move, I had decent room. . I pulled up perpendicilar tp tje slip half length off the pile with stern just at the last pile. throw it into R and walked right in! hth, Paul

Dennis, One important consideration. When powering in reverse your rudder does nothing until the boat is actually moving backward hence having the rudder hard over stops the boat from moving and exaggerates the prop wash. Keep the rudder straight until you feel the boat move then turn the rudder slowly. Practice this out in the harbor somewhere. I always back straight out of my slip and when clear give a brief starboard rudder to start the turn and then give it a good thrust forward and turn the rudder hard to port. You can almost spin the boat on the keel like this. John

You should be able to minimize the prop walk by using short bursts of throttle and then take it out of gear in reverse. Do not put the rudder hard over to port to try and compensate for the prop walk, it will work much better to either have it neutral or slightly to port until you get enough speed up for the rudder to be effective. Each boat is different, you'll have to experiment with yours and see what works.

Myself, having to deal with "prop walk" on airplanes, and in a three axis situation most of the time, I thought out what should work best for my boat. I set the rudder to go opposite to the direction that the walk will take me, but not fully. It will act as a brake as well if it is too far over. So I choose 15 to 30 degrees. Or 1/2 way as a rule of thumb. Then I give the boat a shot of power in reverse, to get me moving, accelerating. Once the rudder comes alive (starts to be effective), I start to center the rudder and may add some power at this point, to continue the roll. The second application of power, is only after the rudder is working, and then I steer the boat. Voila!

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So much prop wash I can’t steer the boat

Thread starter Matt weimer
Start date Jul 18, 2018
Tags engine alignment high rpm prop wash propeller pitch
Catalina Owner Forums
Catalina 30

Matt weimer

I’ve only ever been on my Catalina 30, so maybe this is a common problem but I didn’t see a thread on this yet - There is so much prop wash when motoring it takes 2 hands and a tiring amount of work to keep the boat from turning to port. It has been like this since I bought it. I have a fixed 3 blade prop and the 25hp universal. I believe this is why I have a broken wheel pilot as well. It’s that bad. If I let go of the wheel for a second the boat will be a doing a 180. If this is normal and can’t be repaired I am going to sell the boat. Maybe this is related, but more of a question. Assuming my tach is correct, the engine easily runs at 3000 rpms. This is good because even turning 3000, I can’t get more then 4.5 knots out of it. Is this normal? I don’t know the prop dimensions, but I’m wondering if my prop does not have enough pitch, which may explain some of the prop wash, or could the prop wash be due to an engine mis-alignment? Some reports on how other Catalina 30’s handle while motoring would be a big help in diagnosing this.

Don S/V ILLusion

You have either a rudder problem or a prop problem or both. Or a really dirty bottom. Hope a C30 owner can advise on the most likely one. I would assume your boat can make 6 knots so it's likely the latter.

This is most certainly not a Catalina 30 design problem and I'm trusting some Catalina 30 owners will chime in to help you with your problem soon. Just think, if every Catalina 30 had the symptoms you describe they would all be in a scrap heap somewhere and most likely a class action lawsuit already take because there would be so many collisions somebody would surely sue. Also, any surveyor who did a sea trial would not let that go un-noted. Just saying. Did you have a survey with a sea trial before you purchased the boat? It should be fixable but unless its just a dirty bottom (not likely though with the turning to port so dramatic) it will probably require a haul out to investigate and fix.

I have a 1992 with a wing keel. There is some prop wash on the rudder that causes it to pull a bit. I can let go of the wheel but the boat will start to turn after a few seconds. I have a 3 blade Gori folder (15"x9") at 3000 rpm run at about 6.5 kts but our boat is full of cruising stuff. I don't normally motor at that rpm its to noisy, normally around 2500 rpm. which gets me around 6 kts.

Concur with Don. Check the rudder first, does the problem persists even when the boat is strictly under sail? If yes it is the rudder , but if not look at the prop which could be fouled by growth or damaged.

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John

Interesting, John. I thought, though it wasn't prop walk, but asymmetrical prop wash . Maybe the prop is too close to the rudder?

All good points. The more I think about my own symptoms, I suspect I have a bad or incorrect prop on the boat. A clean, fresh bottom and running gear made no difference. It does not happen under sail, and I am over revving and under speed. Since each degree of pitch equals about 200 RPM, and I'm running at 3000, I would guess I need a prop with 2 degrees more pitch then I have. It could very well be I am throwing a ton of water at the rudder with no thrust. I could see how that could cause some interesting things to happen down there. So, if anyone knows what size Fixed props they have on the 25 universal that works great please share, a prop change will be my next step. No Agenda, I see you have a 15"x9 Gori. First, I'm jealous, that things probably worth half the value of the boat! second, I wonder if the proper fixed size translates to the same size in a folding prop, I would love to not drag a 3 blade fixed prop all the time. Thanks!

jviss said: it wasn't prop walk, but asymmetrical prop wash . Click to expand

jssailem said: Prop walk (that turning feeling) Click to expand

None, really. Prop walk usually diminishes once you get up to speed, or run the engine fast; so not prop walk in this case. I suspect the prop isn't right, or it's too close to the rudder.

Oh... Matt. Your post indicated you had joined today, but your response suggests you have been around since 2012... I apologize for my confusion. Hard to tell why your boat was equipped with a 3 blade. In my experience most often it is to make the motoring smoother. 3 blades tend to vibrate less than 2 blades. 2 blades can be set to minimize drag improving your sailing speed - set prop to hide behind the keel when not in use. Folding props will enhance further your sailing speed yet at a little expense to your motoring and maintenance needs/costs. I cruise in an area where I am as likely to be motoring as sailing. So I chose to balance the power considerations on my boat. I selected a 3 bladed CampbellSailor prop (the shiny one in the previous pictures). Design selection was discussed and provided by the manufacturer. I would lean to the manufactures guidelines. They will want to know the details of your engine, the transmission gear ratios, the shaft, and the number of bearings you have between the transmission and the prop. This is all about identifying the amount of power/torque your engine system is producing for the prop. Then it is a balancing function between size and pitch for the space you have between the prop and the hull. Too big a prop low pitch and the blades slices a hole in your hull. Too high pitch and small prop doesn't work either.

Great article on folding/feathering/fixed prop testing: https://www.yachtingmonthly.com/gear/folding-and-feathering-propeller-test-29807 Interestingly, from the conclusions: "If you want to add up to a knot to your boat speed, then fitting a folding or feathering propeller is a must, not just for racing boats. And as our test demonstrates, you can usually still retain the handling and performance under power that you had with a standard fixed-blade prop. In fact, often you’ll get better performance."

kappykaplan

I have a C-30, A4, Indigo Prop. Sure, it'll turn to port if you let go of the wheel for awhile, but it's nothing that me or the autopilot can't deal with. I get 6kts at 2000 RPM. (A4 - not the diesel) Most every other boat I've ever been on will turn too, so this is pretty much normal. Something's wrong. I'd suspect the wrong prop.

I have a C30 with Atomic 4. The prop is 2 blade, 12X7. That’s the original spec. Like jeepbluetj, I have a little pull to port, but not at all the struggle that Matt describes. Prop walk is more of a problem for me in reverse coming out from the slip. I have to counter-steer a little bit to port to come out straight. Also, boat speed tops out at 6-6.5 knots at a little less than full throttle. I know this is a different engine than you have, but I don’t think the issues are inherent in your boat. Like others, I suspect the prop.

Mweimer said: All good points. The more I think about my own symptoms, I suspect I have a bad or incorrect prop on the boat. A clean, fresh bottom and running gear made no difference. It does not happen under sail, and I am over revving and under speed. So, if anyone knows what size Fixed props they have on the 25 universal that works great please share, a prop change will be my next step. Thanks! Click to expand

I thought this was a Catalina 30 forum! My apologies if I posted this whole thread in the wrong place. Yes a Catalina 30, 1986 with the universal M25 xp engine.

Try swapping your front tires. That generally clears up any pulling in my steering wheel. The front left tire also might need air. . . . . Welcome to the forum!!

Matt weimer said: I thought this was a Catalina 30 forum! My apologies Click to expand

Kermit said: Try swapping your front tires . Click to expand

JamesG161 said: ...But alway in fun and sometimes informative. Jim... Click to expand

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IMAGES

Prop Walk & Prop Wash an ASA Bite Sized Lessons
Prop Wash and Prop Walk in use while docking S2 9.2A 30f sailboat
Prop Walk vs. Prop Wash
Prop Walk, Prop Wash, Boat Maneuvers in Tight Spaces
Sunset and 2 beers (2GM20F Yanmar diesel wet exhaust and prop wash on
Boat Handling Under Engine, Part 1: The Getaway...

VIDEO

Container Ship's Prop Wash #PropWash #Ships #ShipPropWash
Prop wash towing #boatwerks #boatlife #tugboat #boatgang
Sailboat Restoration #Episode2
Prevent And Eliminate Boat Toilet Smells #short
REMOVING PLASTIC BAG FROM BOAT PROP
How to Clean Your Sails

COMMENTS

Prop Walk vs. Prop Wash
Prop walk and prop wash aren't necessarily bad - they can be used to your advantage in tight docking situations. For example, if you approach the slip from an angle the boat can walk right into the slip. Parallel parking for the pros. Not only do you look like a rock star, you also work smarter, not harder. Avoid stressful situations docking ...
Walking The Prop
Always turn a boat with a right-hand propeller to starboard, rotating her clockwise. Put your wheel hard over to starboard (or push your tiller hard to port), then give the throttle a sharp 1- or 2-second burst of power in forward. The prop wash hits the cocked rudder and begins turning the boat.
PROP WALK and PROP WASH
A quick video demonstrating prop walk and prop wash. We are on a Hunter 32 and this is typical of generally how most midsize sailboats handle... but not all...
Bite Sized Lessons : Prop Walk & Prop Wash
Bite Sized Lessons : Prop Walk & Prop Wash. We know that learning to sail can be overwhelming and there is a lot to take in. In an effort to help, we've created a series of "Bite Sized Lessons" taken straight out of our textbooks - Sailing Made Easy and Coastal Cruising Made Easy. In this lesson we take a look at the effect of prop wash ...
How To Use Prop Walk for Single-Screw Boat Handling
Backing into a slip follows the same principles. By backing and filling, position the boat at a 20-degree to 40-degree angle just outside of the slip's mouth. Next, engage reverse gear and allow the prop walk to straighten the boat as she starts making sternway.
Prop walk explained: What it is and how to use it to your advantage
Top stories. Our resident boating instructor Jon Mendez explains the phenomenon of prop walk and how you can use it to your advantage. When the propeller on a boat is turned by the engine, the majority of the force it produces pushes the boat ahead or astern. However, the shape of the blades also creates a small amount of sideways force which ...
Prop Walk: Understanding the Phenomenon and How to Navigate It
Prop walk refers to the sideways movement or rotation of a boat when maneuvering at low speeds due to the interaction between the propeller's rotation and water flow. This effect is caused by a combination of factors such as the propeller's design, its position on the boat's hull, and the engine's power output. 2.
Prop Walk & Prop Wash an ASA Bite Sized Lessons
We know that learning to sail can be overwhelming and there is a lot to take in. In an effort to help, we've created a series of "Bite Sized Lessons" taken s...
Prop Walk, Prop Wash, Boat Maneuvers in Tight Spaces
To follow up my previous video, I'll show you a real life example of the effect of prop walk and prop wash to the boat movement when there is no steerage and...
Ask SAIL: Walking the Prop Walk
DON CASEY REPLIES. Prop walk is primarily caused by the angle of the shaft, which causes the prop to be tilted. In this attitude, when the prop spins, one blade tip travels farther through the water than the other. To visualize, hold your hands vertical and parallel, like you are about to clap. Now tilt both a few degrees to the right.
What is Propwalk on a Sailboat?
2. The Second Phenomenon is the Wash-Lift Effect. The wash-lift effect has been documented heavily by Dave Geer who is one of the worlds leading propeller engineers. Dave wrote a white paper on the p-factor effect combined with this wash lift effect. We contacted Dave and asked him permission to make this white paper available to NauticEd students.
Prop Walk: How To Manage Your Boat's Pivot When Leaving the Dock
The prop wash encountered resistance from the hard-turned rudder. As a result, our boat began to rotate on a center pivot access to port. Watching the buoy for reference, Alicia repeated the process multiple times, rotating our boat to 180 degrees within a boat length. We then brought our boat over to the fuel dock and tied up starboard-side to.
Prop Wash
Prop Wash. In the April edition of Ask Sail, Nigel Calder asked readers to share ideas on how best to keep their props clean. The Q and A from the magazine sparked a discussion with readers chiming in from all corners of the country. Here are some of their ideas:Q: What do you recommend for keeping barnacles from growing on my prop, strut and ...
Dual Rudder: Maneuvering Under Power
Propeller wash over the rudder is a key consideration. In the case of single rudder monohulls, the rudder is positioned directly behind the propeller. As a result, when the boat's engine is in forward gear, the wash from the propeller flows directly onto the rudder. This enables you to manipulate the boat's stern in any desired direction ...
Prop walk explained
Our resident boating instructor Jon Mendez explains the phenomenon of prop walk and how you can use it to your advantage.Our How To video series is brought t...
Tips for Docking a Sailboat Safely and Confidently
Prop Walk and Prop Wash. Prop Walk is the tendency for the boat to turn in a particular direction when reversing. Most boats have a right-hand turning propeller which forces the stern to the left when in reverse. Left-hand propellers would do the opposite. In the following paragraphs I will default to a right-hand turning propeller but I will ...
prop wash
The max prop is great for stopping the boat and while it still has prop wash, I use it to my advantage. It's a right hand prop so when coming along side I can use the wash to kick the stern to port when putting the transmission into reverse. By alternating between forward and reverse(and using the rudder) the boat can be turned within its ...
P factor, prop wash.
the prop wash is the byproduct of this action. 2: the prop pulls the boat to the side like a paddle wheel of the old stern wheeler's, 'prop walk'. the more aggressive the pitch the more paddle wheeling. the prop wash is turbulent and felt at the helm. single engine planes engines are offset to correct this.
ASA's Bite Sized Lessons : Prop Wash & Prop Walk
4.6K views, 25 likes, 2 loves, 0 comments, 4 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from American Sailing: In this #ASABiteSizedLesson we take a look at the effect of prop wash and prop walk when using the...
Using prop wash and rudder to manoveur
CYA Advanced Sailing Instructor, Ken Gillstrom, talks about how to use prop wash and your rudder direction to control your boat while going slow in tight qua...
Prop Wash and Vibration: Wrong prop Sizing?
My local shop says no more than 1 inch from bearing to prop hub. When sizing props, 1 inch of diameter is generall worth 2 inches of pitch. In my friends 37c with a three blade fixed prop the best way to back it is to briefly go to full throttle with hard right rudder, then ease the throttle as the boat begins to back.
Prop Wash and Prop Walk in use while docking S2 9.2A 30f sailboat
1st part of the video:Prop wash while reversing the boat into the slip. In order to overcome strong prop walk to the port side, I had to get at least 1.5 to ...
So much prop wash I can't steer the boat
The prop wash effect is at its greatest when the airflow is flowing more around the fuselage than along it, i.e., at high power and low airspeed, which is the situation when starting the takeoff run. The prop on a boat acts similar when examining the fluid dynamics against the hull and the rudder.