New Sailfish Help

[Legend]

Had the new boat out Sunday and was really impressed with the boats ability to handle the water. Strong SE winds blew in and the boat slice thought the chop like a champ.
Here is where I need some tips from those with twin engine experiene. We are in a marina that is fairly tight quarters and we had a real tough time getting it in and out. I was hoping the twin engines would let me turn in my own foot print like the twin inboards I have witnessed. I could'nt figure out how to do it. Am I expecting too much of the twin set-up. What is the technique. I have tried one engine forward and one in reverse at about the same RPMs and did not get the expected results.
Any suggestion much appreciated - thanks in advance

 

[megabytes]

Congrats on a fine boat. My second boat was a 1997 272 which I owned for a tad over 6 years. Because the engines are close together and so far aft on the hull, spinning requires a few tricks.

o You will find it takes much more throttle on the reverse engine then the forward engine.

o Make sure your engines are straight when you split the throttles.

o You can bump the engine in and out of gear to control your movement. In really strong cross winds (15 kts or so), I would often have the reverse engine ripping and then apply bursts of the forward engine to turn against the wind.

o Plan ahead and allow for current and wind. With the curtains up, the 282 will really catch a cross wind on the bow.

o Practice, practice, practice. I used to go down in the mornings and practive docking when there weren't many boats around.

 

[Legend]

Thanks Megabytes - Big difference from my 23 Gulfstream and that was a huge jump from my first GW a Seafarer. Diid you notice that big a difference going from the Sailfish to the Marlin?

 

[Grog]

Ditto for what megabytes said, only raise the engines a little so the reverse engine thrust doesn't push aginst the hull.

 

[megabytes]

Actually the Marlin is *easier* to dock, assuming you have have enough room of course. When I first took delivery there seemed to be very little learning curve. The engines are further apart and it is heavier so it moves more slowly, much like a twin screw inboard.

My first boat was a GW Seafarer as well. It took me forever to feel comfortable docking that one. Twin engines make life easier once you get some practice under your belt. Windy conditions always add difficulty so it is a good idea to practice on those days as well.

Our marina is set up as piers so docking is mostly parallel parking rather then backing into a slip.