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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

Steering w/ outboard & rudder

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jerlim
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1484 Posts

Initially Posted - 06/28/2006 : 20:05:14

This weekend will (weather permitting) be my first time out w/ my new boat

and I will be motoring (OB) through a bit of a twisting/turning marina. Will I need to steer with both the rudder and engine, or can I set the engine straight and simply rely on the rudder? I expect to travel pretty slowly, how does that influence coordinating motor and rudder?

I do plan to experiment and learn how the boat responds once I get to some open water. But on the inagural run, in a relatively tight area, I'd really appreciate some insight.

Many thanks!
Jerry

Jerry

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ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

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3072 Posts

Response Posted - 06/28/2006 : 20:15:30

As long as you have decent (couple knots) headway you can steer quite nicely with the tiller. Crosswinds, currents etc. can alter this rosy picture a bit. I mostly do the double steer (engine and tiller) when making the cut into my slip and reversing the boat over to the dock.

All this is being said not knowing just how twisty your marina is. You'll find out if it's going to work out pretty quickly!

You may have to fiddle with the engine a bit to get it pointed 'neutral' to boat travel. Take your hand off the tiller and steer with the engine until the boat is going nice and straight without any helm input.. then relax and use the rudder to steer.

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Heartbeat
Navigator

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USA
161 Posts

Response Posted - 06/28/2006 : 21:42:50

Well, the motor bracket isn't really designed for thrust that is not directly fore/aft. With that being said, when ya gotta, ya gotta... and sometimes I gotta.

How twisty is the exit? As long as it is 30' wide, you will have loads of space. These boat spin nicely around the keel at ~1-2 knots. Keep the motor centered and at low throttle is my suggestion.

I sail to and from the slip at times. Not having any real stopping power, when I make the right hand turn into the slip I have very little speed. Set the rudder at 45 degrees and wait.. she turns.

Unless you have a rough crosswind that is grabbing the bow, these boats handle really tamely. Keep the speed down to give yourself time to see the channel and you will be fine.

My $0.02

-Matt Q

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djn
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1561 Posts

Response Posted - 06/28/2006 : 22:07:49

Hi Jerry, I twist and turn through my marina and I only have to steer with the motor when backing out of the slip. I was going to make a link from the motor to the rudder but found this from

Panthermarineproducts.com

It is only $50.00

Auxiliary Motor Steering Kit -Stainless Steel

Auxiliary Motor Steering Kit -Stainless Steel
SKU: 552600
An auxiliary motor steering kit is the ideal way to provide remote control steering for any type or size of outboard trolling motor up to 25 horse-power. The model 55-2600 is constructed of stainless steel. Non-corrosive for saltwater applications.

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tinob
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1883 Posts

Response Posted - 07/01/2006 : 09:36:08

Sounds interesting Dennis, have you bought it yet or in the throws of doing so? I'd like to hear more about it when you're ready to share.

Val on Calista # 3936, Patchogue, N.Y.

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 07/02/2006 : 11:08:26

For greater manueverability, I use the rudder and outboard independantly. While backing out of my slip, there is a point where each tiller is hardover on opposite sides.

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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 07/02/2006 : 16:09:16

I see two slightly conflicting points above... I agree with pushing the rudder to about 45 degrees, but have found that if you push it "hard over", it acts more as a brake than a rudder. I have seen other sailors make the same mistake and wonder why their boats weren't turning, particularly in reverse where the rudder wants to go hard-over by itself. Resist that urge, and you'll get a better reaction.

I'm betting that Don has the tillers on opposite sides when he's backing up and decides to use a brief push in forward gear to kick the stern over while still moving back (or the opposite for going forward). Doing that, you can easily turn the boat in it's own length. I rarely find that I need to turn the engine when moving--just when virtually stopped or trying to pivot in-place.

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 07/02/2006 : 17:13:45

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Dave Bristle
 I'm betting that Don has the tillers on opposite sides when he's backing up and decides to use a brief push in forward gear to kick the stern over while still moving back...<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Exactly!

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djn
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1561 Posts

Response Posted - 07/02/2006 : 17:31:57

Hi Val, I have not bought it yet and with the greater need to replace my 3/4 jib sheets with the 3/8 that should be there, my budget is shot. My three daughters start back at university in August so I need to make sure there is $$$ for them. I have become fairly good at backing out of my new slip with just turning the motor. Even with the drag set out so the motor swings free, when I am going forward, it tacks straight with the tiller. Cheers.

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eric.werkowitz
Captain

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USA
283 Posts

Response Posted - 07/15/2006 : 08:41:00

Jerry,

Do an archive search on "soft link." Arlyn Specter has a post on a method he uses that is almost free. It involves adding a short bar connected to and extending aft of the rudder. At the aftmost point on this bar a shortline is attached that also attaches to the aft of the motor. He then adds a bungie to the aft end of the motor and extends that bungie to a point on the outboard side of the boat. This bungie is stretched enough to turn the motor unless resisted by the link attached to the tiller. Result: when the tiller is turned the motor turns in concert.

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thaind
Navigator

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Canada
145 Posts

Response Posted - 07/15/2006 : 09:22:06

The PO of my boat installed engine controls inside the boat on the transom for Speed/Start/Forward/Reverse, and a coupler rod between rudder and outboard. It makes engine/tiller management completely seamless, and was completely free since he paid for it.

I seem to remember posting pictures of it.

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Buzz Maring
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1771 Posts

Response Posted - 07/15/2006 : 10:16:35

... Do an archive search on "soft link." Arlyn Specter has a post on a method he uses that is almost free.

Arlyn who

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eric.werkowitz
Captain

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USA
283 Posts

Response Posted - 07/15/2006 : 12:15:05

Specter..hmmm I wonder why that name sounded familiar??

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Buzz Maring
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1771 Posts

Response Posted - 07/15/2006 : 12:54:34

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by eric.werkowitz
 Specter..hmmm I wonder why that name sounded familiar??
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">[url="http://specter.senate.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=SpecterSpeaks.Detail&SpecterSpeak_id=37&Month=1&Year=2003"]Senator Arlen Specter - Pennsylvania[/url]

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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.