New to Shifting

380 Manoverboard

380 Manoverboard

Member
Apr 23, 2021
42
Punta Gorda
Boat Info
420 Sundancer 2004 GARMIN 8612 GSSMMAP
Engines
6 CTA Cummins Deisle
Just purchased a 2000 380. Took my first spin with 2 motors.
I have been driving single motor boats for 40 years with docking skills second to no-one. ( couple of dents after couple of beers)
Question is, the dual shifters seem to go 1/4 the way up or down.. or all the way up down,
Does this impact the tork to props at all... So when steering do you need to go all the way up with one and all the way down with other... or is it a simple on / off situation .
Thanks ! NEW DRIVER!!
 
380 Manoverboard said:
Just purchased a 2000 380. Took my first spin with 2 motors.
I have been driving single motor boats for 40 years with docking skills second to no-one. ( couple of dents after couple of beers)
Question is, the dual shifters seem to go 1/4 the way up or down.. or all the way up down,
Does this impact the tork to props at all... So when steering do you need to go all the way up with one and all the way down with other... or is it a simple on / off situation .
Thanks ! NEW DRIVER!!
Click to expand...

Shifters are all or nothing. Just quickly shift from neutral to forward or reverse - only when at idle.

For close range maneuvers like docking you will be best to set your rudders straight and not touch the steering wheel - only use the shifters.

-Kevin
 
380 Manoverboard said:
Just purchased a 2000 380. Took my first spin with 2 motors.
I have been driving single motor boats for 40 years with docking skills second to no-one. ( couple of dents after couple of beers)
Question is, the dual shifters seem to go 1/4 the way up or down.. or all the way up down,
Does this impact the tork to props at all... So when steering do you need to go all the way up with one and all the way down with other... or is it a simple on / off situation .
Thanks ! NEW DRIVER!!
Click to expand...

Oiy. I'd avoid saying things like "docking skills second to no-one", that's a sure way to jinx yourself. Similar to posting something like "everything on my boat is actually working right now". :):)

Best advice I've seen around these parts when getting used to boat handling around the docks - don't approach the dock any faster than you're willing to hit it. Premium advice...
 
All GREAT advice, when docking if you can see the boat moving you are going too fast. Also as the dealer told me when I bought first boat, hit something cheap.
 
Gee Thanks!!! The old pontoon comes in at 10 mph and then 6 grand rpm in reverse... kinda fun.
The 380 sounds like" slower the better" and I agree, its a scary learning curve!!!
Any good references on fiberglass repair? J.K .
Hope the guy next to me has good insurance!
Thanks for the shifter knowledge.....
 
380 Manoverboard said:
Gee Thanks!!! The old pontoon comes in at 10 mph and then 6 grand rpm in reverse... kinda fun.
The 380 sounds like" slower the better" and I agree, its a scary learning curve!!!
Any good references on fiberglass repair? J.K .
Hope the guy next to me has good insurance!
Thanks for the shifter knowledge.....
Click to expand...

depending on where you are it's a good time of the year to practice, not too many boats in around us so I'm going to show the wife how to get it in and out of the slip
 
Maybe it goes without saying and it could be overkill but..when maneuvering, pause in neutral going from fwd to reverse..it allows the prop revolutions to stop, easier on the transmissions...
 
380MOB, to help get your brain trained quickly, think of the shifters as steering for a zero turn mower. Keep the throttle at idle and bump the shifters in and out of gear to move the boat where you need it to go. As said above pause between forward, neutral, reverse, and keep the ruder centered. Once you get a feel for it you will love them twins!
 
You will also find that usually when the drive is in fwd, the boat turns in a larger arc (slower to turn) vs when the drive is in reverse, the boat turns in a smaller arc (faster to turn). Somewhat hard to explain, but take the boat to a non-congested area to play around. Find an observation point to compare to and just shift the boat fwd and reverse on one engine and watch how it reacts. What you'll find is that when you want to pivot the boat, you'll get a lot more response from the boat when the boat is in reverse. Add some throttle to the reverse engine typically gets it done much quicker. Use it to your advantage. Also read the flags in the area to use the wind to your advantage. Back the stern into the wind, pivot, then fully back into the slip. If you have someone local on the docks who has experience, ask them to go with you and they will cut your learning time in half.

I struggled for half a season when I switched from an IO to twins. I had IO boats down and could put one anywhere. I knew I was missing some simple concepts but couldn't put my finger on it. A local pilot volunteered and came out with me for an hr or two. He said I had all the concepts down but it finally 'clicked' when I realized where the pivot point was on the boat and how the drives acted differently in fwd vs. reverse. Problem solved and twins are now amazing.
 

Attachments

  • Screenshot_20210429-033703_Note Everything.jpg
    Screenshot_20210429-033703_Note Everything.jpg
    18.3 KB · Views: 135
When we start training our new-to-twins operators in close quarters maneuvers, we take them out to open water, throw an orange lifering overboard, set the engines straight, and have them move the boat around the lifering using propulsion steering only.

We give them a little instruction on the concepts, then sit back and let them have at it. No steering wheel allowed.

Thrust forward with ring floating along the port side, as the ring gets to the stern, move the stern to port then move backing with ring along the starboard side until the lifering is near the bow then move the bow to the starboard then move boat forward with the lifering along the port side again and on and on. The boat moves in circles around the lifering bow-to-stern using only propulsion steering. Then reverse the direction. The goal is stay as close to the ring as possible.
This drill is very effective at getting to know how quickly your particular boat responds given thrust levels and wind speed. Also demonstrates how long it takes to stop the momentum of a large boat.
No chance of damage or fouling props.
Try it next time you are out. It’s fun.
 
Old boater advice: Never go faster than you are willing to hit something when docking. And....... neutral is your friend
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Forum statistics

Threads
113,253
Messages
1,429,324
Members
61,129
Latest member
MinecraftRuSwilm
Back
Top