Steering a v-drive

[davcrain]

I purchased a 2004 24v last summer from Tige Watersports in Corona and love it. I have had 3 boats prior to this one and my only challenge is docking this boat (nothing serious). I never had and issue with I/O's, but this V-drive can be challenging to steer. Can you folks give me a few tips on maneuvering at slow speeds?

Thanks,

Dave

[David]

The one thing I remember is that it is only going to reverse to the right.

[smendez]

Dave:

David (previous post) is right. You can only reverse to the right. if you're docking, make sure the dock is to your right (starboard) and you'll be succesful.

If the dock is to your left (port), it will be very difficult to maneuver the boat to it, specially if it's a tight spot.

While we're at it - Why does Tige (Take Note here Tige Guys in Abilene) put the gas cap on the starboard when most people find it easier docking to their favorite Gas dock at the Marina on the port side?

Saulo

[davcrain]

Is it true that backing the boat into a slip is better than pulling in bow first? Here's a picture of the towerless Tige' in Havasu!

[David]

When we had an I/O (31 ft. Formula PC Cruiser), we would back in, but anytime we pull into a slip with our 22v, we go bow in, as do most other Inboard owners.

Are you having trouble pulling into the slip bow first?

Also, Very nice boat. Looks great. Is that the normal sized bimini for the 24v? It looks longer than normal.

[davcrain]

I am not having too much trouble pulling in to a slip...Thanks for the nice comments on the boat. The bimini top was made a little larger to keep us out of the hot sun at Lake Havasu, Arizona. Sometimes the temps get up to 115 degrees in the summer.

[joe8395]

Dave -

Nice boat man...I think I was right next to you at the Parker regetta during the picture. I have a 2000 21i that's white with a blue bimmini

Me and my buddies head out to Havasu at least once a month starting in March, be cool to link up with some fellow Tige owners.

[Tige M.D.]

hey dave give tigewatersports a call and we will help you over the phone....if we can help you over the phone then we will take you to the lake.....

[whitlock87]

docking

When I dock the boat, I come up to the dock ( on my right ) at about a 45 degree angle ( slowly ) and bump the reverse to swing the back around. The boat will slide sideways into the dock.
If you get a chance go to Ellsinore with Tom from Tige water Sports, he can teach you some neat tricks.

Have fun
David

[Dave-96]

Slow speed steering

One of the things you want to remember about driving an inboard is that the prop doesn't free wheel like an I/O when in netural. There fore the water doesn't flow smoothly over the rudder and steering just won't happen. At slow speeds the inboard acts much like a jet drive in that you need to keep bumping it in and out of gear to maintain directional control.

It's not better or worse just different.

[talltigeguy]

I dock just like Whitlock said and can maneuver my boat as well or better than most of the I/O's I see. The wind makes it a tad more difficult. It's always good to have buddies willing to sacrifice their arms or legs in case you come in too strong

I think Tige puts the gas cap on that side to be like most trucks. That way I can pull into a gas station and fill both vehicles at the same time. I would find it irritating to fill one and then turn around to fill the other. I dare say that 90% of all of the gas put into boats is when its on the trailer, not in the water. Tige - don't change the side of the gas cap!

[smendez]

Good point on the gas cap being on the port side Talltigeguy. I fill up on both land and water and you're right. Our truck and the boat have the gas cap on the same side.

Ok - How about putting two gas caps? One on each side?