Parking R27 OB in Canal

[CapeCodCruiser]

Hello All,

Long time lurker, first time posting. Soon to be owner of a 2021 R27 with a single OB engine and bow thruster.

I have a deep-water dock where I plan to park this boat and I'm looking for recommendations on how to best maneuver the boat to get out to the river.

I attached some images to help visualize. I currently have a smaller 18.5' LOA pontoon boat that I 1. back up towards port, aiming for the gap between neighbor's docks and 2. go forward towards starboard towards river. Would this be doable in an R27 though? Or is pirouetting in the middle possible without burning out the bow thruster? I want to keep it docked on the starboard side for better access to the transom door.

Thanks in advance.

 

[venajeff]

I highly commend your forethought on this subject. Just by the fact that you are aware enough to draw that diagram I am confident you are going to do good no matter what.
I think you will be fine reversing the boat out and rotating the bow around, probably could do it without using the bow thruster and it should be easy with it. That is unless you have a strong wind coming from the right, then it might be difficult to get the bow to come around.
Lastly, remember the stern sweep on the turns. Leave plenty of room on the outside of your turns.

 

[CapeCodCruiser]

I highly commend your forethought on this subject. Just by the fact that you are aware enough to draw that diagram I am confident you are going to do good no matter what.
I think you will be fine reversing the boat out and rotating the bow around, probably could do it without using the bow thruster and it should be easy with it. That is unless you have a strong wind coming from the right, then it might be difficult to get the bow to come around.
Lastly, remember the stern sweep on the turns. Leave plenty of room on the outside of your turns.

Thank you for the words of encouragement venajeff! After a less than ideal first landing (no damage thankfully), I decided to hire an experienced captain to teach my wife and I how to safely dock and undock, along with other things.

Although we live too far away for an official RT instructor to come over, they were still able to recommended a local captain who is just as connected with the folks at Winter Island.

We've only had one session so far but it was worth every penny. We definitely gained more knowledge and confidence on handling the boat and it's various systems. The captain demonstrated that there technically is enough room to turn around in the canal without wind, but with very little room for error so I'll just be backing out until I gain more experience. There's still more to learn, but I'm really looking forward to spending time on our R27 this summer!

 

[William Sanborn]

Suggestion: not sure how your best boarding position is but on our 2011 RT 27 the Port side is preferred side. So would plan to enter the canal next to the Whaler and then do a Captain Ron turn to your dock for a Port tie, and an easy escape. Side mirror on the Port Bow Pulpit will show down that side of the boat so you can see the edge of your dock. Looks like a nice set up, and glad your getting good help, best Rule of docking is "SLOW".

 

[venajeff]

Thank you for the words of encouragement venajeff! After a less than ideal first landing (no damage thankfully), I decided to hire an experienced captain to teach my wife and I how to safely dock and undock, along with other things.

Although we live too far away for an official RT instructor to come over, they were still able to recommended a local captain who is just as connected with the folks at Winter Island.

We've only had one session so far but it was worth every penny. We definitely gained more knowledge and confidence on handling the boat and it's various systems. The captain demonstrated that there technically is enough room to turn around in the canal without wind, but with very little room for error so I'll just be backing out until I gain more experience. There's still more to learn, but I'm really looking forward to spending time on our R27 this summer!

Very good. Sounds like even the experienced captain still thought it to be a little tricky, so definitely don't give yourself a hard time. I live by the saying, "don't go any faster than you are willing to hit something at".
One tip from what I have learned. Assuming you have the same digital throttle I have. Rest your palm on the base and just use two fingers to adjust the speed. I find if I grab it like a gear knob and push forward I am often throttling up way to much, and the 300 HP outboard doesn't mess around.
I hope you have a wonderful summer, and if you don't put a couple scratches on your boat you probably weren't using it enough.

 

[Maggie Anne]

I found that driving our 2021 R7 in reverse in a narrow corridor was definitely doable with occasional small thruster adjustments. Might be easier than turning it sideways with flood or ebb current running.