Well - the best solution is to take your rig out into relatively open water and do some backing practice. See how your combo of motor and boat respond - kick it around- experiment. Then get in the vicinity of some friendly objects in open water, perhaps a buoy, and practice some reverse turns. See how the boat responds. I think you will find that you can back quite nicely with the OB fixed in reverse at central position and using your tiller, but I do not know your rig so may be mistaken. One trick I like when backing with tiller is to just remember to sight down the tiller in the direction you want to turn.
Just like you learn how to get up on a mooring, come in to a dock, or for that matter know when to put the hammer down in a racing start. Practice, practice, practice - even if you are not trying to get to Carnegie Hall. I always tell the kids in Youth Sailing Class, have a plan, have a bailout plan, and never hesitate to bail out. I had to back a 32 foot replica 19th century Hudson River Ferry Sloop with electric motor that I rarely helm onto a tight docking space with a very large crowd watching last week-end. Current running strong and coming into docks I had never visited - I took three tries backing in, but didn't hit nothin' or hurt no one and we got in OK. I knew my limits and recognized the boats limits and we got in just fine. John McLaughlin Shambhala SR #1994 -----Origina l Message----- From: Phil Agur <[email protected]> To: [email protected] Sent: Mon, Jun 15, 2009 7:45 pm Subject: [IC27A] Two Questions Backing an inboard is easy. A center mounted OB would be better but the prop wash on the rudder blade can be problematic without a wheel. See also steerage way. The trick is to spend as little time as possible between being motionless and having steerage way. The rudder on the C270 makes everything related to maneuvering a dream so I tend to forget I also monitor wind and current before backing. I plan the maneuver to go with what’s going to happen instead of gunning it to get steerage way or being surprised and trying over react to gain control again. Since a C270 can be spun in her own length (ok 30ft +) there are times when you go with it and then do a 180 in place to head out. The problem with outboard maneuvering is I don’t think you can spin the boat in its own length, which is a big disadvantage. Maybe a center mounted OB has a chance if it has handy remote controls. I’d be glad to explain how, if someone wants to give it a try. Phil Agur s/v Wing Tip C270 LE=2 0#184 MMSI 366901790
