Reverse at dock against high winds and current

[dels]

Hey guys,

Today was our 2nd official outing with the 210 FSH and we had a blast (will post a video soon!)... but the winds and the current were pretty crazy and when we pulled at the dock, I was able to manage pretty well by just letting the wind and current do the trick.

I went and replaced the roller with the Stoltz (yay!) and also had to widen the guide posts a little as I had a rough time getting out of the trailer this morning lol... but the real stress happened when I tried to untie and get away from the dock to get on the trailer.

It took me about 5-6 times to get the boat to back up at all and it was after my son gave me the biggest push from the dock I had ever gotten that I finally got it. I know our boats are different from props but this was nerve racking as the boat was going right back into the dock every time and my son was playing goalie.

Is it expected that we have to give a lot of rpm to back up or should I be concerned that something is wrong? Everything else worked perfectly, we had a blast riding, fishing and pulling to the dock was good other than the big wind and current. Will my thrust vectors (not installed yet) help with that?

Thanks for the help!

 

[Elliott]

Yes and Yes.

You do have to use more rpms than a prop boat, especially in reverse, and your Thrust vectors will help with reverse. I have to back in every time to be picked up by the forklift, and like most things practice helps. Next time you go out, plan to spend some time practicing in reverse, and you will improve. You also should have an easier time of it with twin engines.

 

[tdonoughue]

Sounds normal on the higher rpm for reverse.

Depending on your docking situation, you might want to check out some videos on using spring lines. Sounds like you could have used some of those to make a better exit... Wind and current can be difficult to handle. Takes knowing a few boating tricks sometimes. Worry not; you'll get it.

 

[dels]

Yes and Yes.

You do have to use more rpms than a prop boat, especially in reverse, and your Thrust vectors will help with reverse. I have to back in every time to be picked up by the forklift, and like most things practice helps. Next time you go out, plan to spend some time practicing in reverse, and you will improve. You also should have an easier time of it with twin engines.

Awesome, that is what I was hoping for. I had practiced in reverse and was doing pretty awesome things like the 360 on a dime last time... but this wind/current were the worst I have been in to dock in 3 years I have been down here... I will certainly get better with time and practice, thanks for confirming!!!

 

[dels]

Sounds normal on the higher rpm for reverse.

Depending on your docking situation, you might want to check out some videos on using spring lines. Sounds like you could have used some of those to make a better exit... Wind and current can be difficult to handle. Takes knowing a few boating tricks sometimes. Worry not; you'll get it.

Yep, I got spring lines and they went well, the problem was just that the wind and current were taking me right back to where I was and I wasn't sure why the boat wasn't moving backwards lol... now I know to hit it!

 

[Cobra Jet Steering LLC]

You have the new nozzles
[B]tdonoughue[/B] has the old style, where your nozzles takes your reverse thrust and push it out at a 45 degree angle, his puts the water out straight behind the boat so some of your reverse thrust is redirected but the maneuverability is better as long as you don't have to deal with wind waves and strong currents. I doubt any steering fin will help if you do not have the proper amount of thrust to fight the wind or the current the fins need the thrust to work. Sounds like you are in need of more power not more turning ability.

 

[dels]

You have the new nozzles
[B]tdonoughue[/B] has the old style, where your nozzles takes your reverse thrust and push it out at a 45 degree angle, his puts the water out straight behind the boat so some of your reverse thrust is redirected but the maneuverability is better as long as you don't have to deal with wind waves and strong currents. I doubt any steering fin will help if you do not have the proper amount of thrust to fight the wind or the current the fins need the thrust to work. Sounds like you are in need of more power not more turning ability.

That makes sense, definitely practice then! Thanks!

 

[212s]

I concur, reverse on these jetboats is not direct like a prop. If the impellers could spin in reverse, the intake grates would make excellent reverse "gates" and it would be similar to a prop boat. To go forward you only need to click to the TDE point and the gates are not all the way up yet, and you still get decent forward motion. But to reverse you need to get water moving the opposite way so you need more thrust to get the water going the other way with the gates. When I back out from the launch ramp docks, I've already warmed up the engines while parking the truck, so I can hit the reverse a little more and get some serious thrust. Once clear of the dock, I can move into forward and spin the boat around and take off without issue. A little practice will help you get the feel for reverse.