haknslash
Jetboaters Fleet Admiral
- Messages
- 7,556
- Reaction score
- 8,950
- Points
- 547
- Location
- Lake Martin, AL
- Boat Make
- Moomba
- Year
- 2019
- Boat Model
- Other
- Boat Length
- 23
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Everything i've read about vdrive boats is that they're worse than a jet to dock. BUT, they do make stern thrusters for most models now too, which is supposed to make docking like butter.@haknslash what can I expect when backing up the Moomba? I have a slip where I will need to back the boat out and turn the stern to the port side to get out to the lake. I have heard that because of the rotation of the prop that the boat will pull to the starboard side when backing up. The area where I will need to back up is somewhat tight with another finger of boats behind me.
I'm sure with some practice it can be done. You'll just need to learn to over rotate the right amount to counter act the prop kick. It's not so much an issue going forward, but can be a pain in reverse. There is a stern thruster on the market that's designed to be an add on, but they are about $5k. If it is that tight of a spot, it might be totally worth it.@haknslash what can I expect when backing up the Moomba? I have a slip where I will need to back the boat out and turn the stern to the port side to get out to the lake. I have heard that because of the rotation of the prop that the boat will pull to the starboard side when backing up. The area where I will need to back up is somewhat tight with another finger of boats behind me.
You can rotate the boat within its own length just by using the transmission and prop rotation to your advantage. This takes a little practice to learn but it will become nearly second nature after you practice a bit. I have videos on here in this thread I believe showing how to dock these boats. What I would do without knowing all the details to your situation is either back into your slip or pull out in reverse (no throttle just gear engagement) to clear the slip, put it in neutral once clear and turn the wheel to the right (starboard) then put the transmission in forward but don’t apply throttle. Just let the boat rotate. I would take the boat out to an open area, toss out a fender or life jacket or two and practice pulling into and up next to the objects pretending it’s a dock. These boats just take time like anything else but I can dock this boat no problems like my jet boat. IMHO thrusters on these boats is a luxury item and not a necessity.@haknslash what can I expect when backing up the Moomba? I have a slip where I will need to back the boat out and turn the stern to the port side to get out to the lake. I have heard that because of the rotation of the prop that the boat will pull to the starboard side when backing up. The area where I will need to back up is somewhat tight with another finger of boats behind me.
I wouldn’t say it’s worse than a jet. Different? Sure ...but not worse. It all comes with practice and getting over the fear.Everything i've read about vdrive boats is that they're worse than a jet to dock. BUT, they do make stern thrusters for most models now too, which is supposed to make docking like butter.
In my experience v-drive boats are much much easier to maneuver and dock...We had a Moomba v-drive for 7 years prior to buying an 19 AR210 and I hated coming to a dock with the AR210. We are now back into a v-drive.Everything i've read about vdrive boats is that they're worse than a jet to dock. BUT, they do make stern thrusters for most models now too, which is supposed to make docking like butter.
^^Exactly this...So very easy to maneuver a V-drive..Tap it in and out of gear ...The key to going backward to port is just to use very small moments of reverse to get moving, then rudder in neutral while moving astern, then momentary engagement of forward & countersteering to rotate the boat, then back to momentary reverse until you are pointed the way you want to go. It sounds more complicated than it is. These boats don't "clunk" in and out of gear like an I/O and you will probably never need more thrust around docks than idle speed will provide.