R31 CB Single Handling

G

greyorca

Member
Joined
Jan 7, 2022
Messages
6
Fluid Motion Model
C-302 C
I'm considering moving from a 2023 R27 to a similar year R31 CB. I'm single-handed much of the time and wondering how difficult or easy people find docking when on their own. For those that do , and if you have the aft-helm, do you have a preference over the main or aft stations when single-handed? Thanks in advance for any feedback/advice.
 
I've single-handed my R29 Classic many times (Amelia Island FL to Wilmington, NC twice); not to mention local ops. It's really not a problem from the primary helm (in the cabin). While cruising, I just inform the marina that I'm single-handed and they'll have someone to assist. In my home slip, I can usually handle things if I pre-stage the lines. In extreme weather conditions, I wouldn't be out anyways.
 
Single handing from the CB is even easier. The site lines allow you to approach with confidence. As always when single handing it depends on wind and current. If Everything goes smoothly it only takes me 10 seconds to go from operating the boat to stepping on the dock. 90 percent of the time I could spend 60 seconds and the boat would still be right next to the dock. Its the other 10% that you'll have to figure out. I have never yet used the cockpit station to dock. Lousy visibility.
 
There is a remote for the thrusters that allows you to be stepping off the boat and hold the boat to the dock with the thrusters. It is standard on the 31
 
greyorca said:
I'm considering moving from a 2023 R27 to a similar year R31 CB. I'm single-handed much of the time and wondering how difficult or easy people find docking when on their own. For those that do , and if you have the aft-helm, do you have a preference over the main or aft stations when single-handed? Thanks in advance for any feedback/advice.
Click to expand...

I would argue that the aft helm is great for fishing but not ideal for docking due to limited visibility.

A nice feature of the R31 is the helm door allows you easy access to the dock from the main helm. On my R29 it's a short walk from the helm to the cockpit to get to the dock, and so far no problems with single handed docking. If you have a strong crosswind pushing you off the dock, use the thruster remote for a short burst to keep you snug on the dock.
 
Thanks everyone for sharing your experience and for the wise advice. Sounds like with practice I would be fine single-handed. Based on the feedback it doesn't sound like there is a case for purchasing the aft helm station for easier docking. Thanks again.
 
I bought my 31cb last year - my first boat. 80% of the time I perform all shoving off and landing tasks myself.
My home slip is in a marsh environment (no wind breaks) and in a tidal river with a current. The CB is tall and light - it’s easy to push around. I didn’t realize that these conditions aren’t ideal for newbies like me. But it’s all about anticipating the current, wind and inputs.

I only had one stupid pilot error issue - a moon tide (fast current) grabbed the boat as I was trying to make the sharp turn into the slip. Instead, the current pushed me into a couple of tall dock poles. I sat there for a few minutes wondering what to do next. Fortunately I had my son with me and ultimately rigged a line and he pulled the boat while I added the inputs. Not a scratch - but super lucky.

The Moral - don’t get cocky like I did… and most importantly, learning the thrusters are for guidance - NOT turning. The rudder in my opinion, after going on several similar boats over two summers, is small. Single screw boats take landing skills and I lost enough forward momentum during the critical turning phase - to essentially be a sideways barrel being pushed down river by a 2-3 knots tide. I was in a thin slips area and couldn’t go forward or back,

Bottom line - if I can single hand - anyone can.
 
I hadn't piloted a boat in over 20 years when I single handedly brought my new R-29 CB down from Lake Union to Oly, WA, stopping in Tacoma for fuel. Granted, it was a beautiful fall day and I took my time (6 hours vs. a normal 4) . But she handled like a dream. No real issues to speak of on the way down, just a great learning process. There was one mishap though (hehe), The slip I pulled out of in Lake Union was a covered slip, just like the one I was planning on pulling into in our new home marina only it wasn't EXACTLY like the old one, because the roof was LOWER! I didn't realize this until the mast started to hit the edge of the cover and stopped all forward motion. Back off, drop the mast and try again. Luckily, the only damage was a small scratch and a bruised ego! 🙂
Southbound in the Narrows.jpg

Southbound in the Narrows.jpg

Late fall heading south in the Tacoma Narrows
 
Just don’t approach anything any faster than you are willing to hit it!
 
I am not willing to hit anything, so do I go zero speed and leave my boat at dock????
 
If you haven't hit anything, you haven't been boating for long.
 
If you are buying new, i would get the aft station and be sure you also get a trolling valve for fishing. The rear station adds so much utility to the boat. Its the main reason i chose this boat. I have single handed for two summers, over 500 hours in bc canada and washington state. I also added a chartplotter/fishfinder and autopilot control back there. I rarely use the CB, too cold up there. My boat is a 2014.
 
If you are buying new, i would get the aft station and be sure you also get a trolling valve for fishing. The rear station adds so much utility to the boat. Its the main reason i chose this boat. I have single handed for two summers, over 500 hours in bc canada and washington state. I also added a chartplotter/fishfinder and autopilot control back there. I rarely use the CB, too cold up there. My boat is a 2014.
 
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