09-23-2009, 09:52 AM
The pivot point on a boat shifts to the rear when backing. Boats will try to follow the pull of the propeller moving through the water. The centerline of the keel will try to keep the boat moving in a straight line. Most outboard equipped boats have a flat transom and may have a well built into the transom for the engine. A flat transom pushes up a wall of water as it is forced back. Moving too fast astern can swamp a small boat.
It is difficult to back a single engine boat. The descending blade of a propeller generates more thrust as it moves through the water. This will make a single engined boat pull in one direction or the other as it backs up. Once a boat operator becomes familiar with this tendency, it can actually be used to advantage in mooring a boat.
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It is difficult to back a single engine boat. The descending blade of a propeller generates more thrust as it moves through the water. This will make a single engined boat pull in one direction or the other as it backs up. Once a boat operator becomes familiar with this tendency, it can actually be used to advantage in mooring a boat.
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