Rudder Boat
 

Does anyone have experience in driving a rudder boat with fixed drives. What is the pros and cons. docking, steering, etc.
Thanks:drink:

Re: Rudder Boat
 

No one has driven one?

Re: Rudder Boat
 

I have 42 cabin cruser w inboards and rudders and a child could drive it,if that helps.

Re: Rudder Boat
 

Try posting in the MTI section. I know there are several boats in there with rudders.

Re: Rudder Boat
 

Forgetting about steering when backing up. You'l be using your throttles and shifters to steer the boat in reverse. I've never done this in a go-fat, but my go slow boat is twin inboard, and that's how we get it back into the slip, which can be tricky with the rippin' current by the slip.

Re: Rudder Boat
 

When I dock I don't turn the wheel so it's probably the same. Although, a surface drive like an Arneson may be different, not sure never had to do that.

Inboards are the easy, V drives are the easyest. They pivot really nice because the props are under the boat.

Single engine rudder boats, they suck!!! Try docking a single engine 40 ft sailboat sometime... Darn boats are useless going backwards...

Re: Rudder Boat
 

You don't touch the wheel on cats with #6s when backing or docking forward. The only troulbe with rudder is when you lose power or drive.

Re: Rudder Boat
 

I steer my #six cat all the time docking. Backwards and foward. I even have crashboxes. Most of the time I coast in, since in gear on one engine is about 8mph.

Re: Rudder Boat
 

So it sounds like it would be easy to dock.

Re: Rudder Boat
 

No rubrail and no scratches yet. I find it very easy to dock.

Re: Rudder Boat
 

I have driven a single rudder fixed drive boat. At docking speeds you can only steer with the throttles and shifters (the rudder is useless) as you would a large yacht at idle speed you have limited menuverability with the rudder but any tight turns would have to be aided by the throttles.
It just take a little getting used to but is not difficult

Re: Rudder Boat
 

Used to cruise in a 34' Tollycraft Sedan with twin Crusaders and a single fixed rudder.

Easiest boat on earth to maneuver, especially dockside!
You'll learn never try to steer with the rudder near the docks,
the engine throttles control all.

QUESTION however,
I wonder how twin outdrives would react using the engine throttle controls instead of steering.
Wouldn't it be quite similar at idle speeds?

Re: Rudder Boat
 

Turning the wheel actually screws things up, I use the sticks 95+%.

Re: Rudder Boat
 

I agree 100% of the time with you.:D

Re: Rudder Boat
 

0% of the time with you.:D :evilb:

Re: Rudder Boat
 

????????????????????

Re: Rudder Boat
 

Just a joke. Look at posts 14,15.:D

Re: Rudder Boat
 

So on a MTI it would take a bit off a learning curve to dock especially with a strong current.

Re: Rudder Boat
 

Yes, not that difficult, but a current can sure mess things up in a hurry.
One thing it seems some are missing, is that with a true inboard (ie:cruzer) You have very large props that are under the boat. This is MUCH easier than a high performance cat with small wheels sticking out the back.

Re: Rudder Boat
 

docking a big cat is like that new lexus with the auto-park compared to a full staggered v bottom with the props turning in... :eek: :chimp:

Re: Rudder Boat
 

Docking mine is very easy! Leave the wheel alone, use only the shifters, you can put it on a nats ass! took very little time to get used to! Much easier than a staggered 42 Fountain with #6s

Re: Rudder Boat
 

Yea, and he can't drive a nail.:D :D

Re: Rudder Boat
 

I never touch my wheel backing up or going foward in a tight place .

I havent figured out how to make it crab yet:(