Turning in confined waters

This technique applies to single inboard engine vessels with a straight shaft. Backing and filling is a technique to turn a vessel around in confined waters.

"There is no need to shift the wheel when operating astern. The vessel is not moving astern and the rudder only has the prop suction current flowing across it and has little, if any effect. I have seen many boaters get into trouble by wasting time shifting the rudder each time they operate astern. Many boaters are used to this technique because they are familiar with outboards or inboard/outboards. When they move to an inboard-powered vessel they tend to bring this habit with them. One method to demonstrate the P effect is to go astern while moving ahead with the rudder amidships. The stern will swing (walk) despite the rudder.

An easier way to back and fill is simply place the wheel opposite to the side the vessel backs to and leave it. The objective is to continue the swing produced by the rudder while operating ahead using the P effect of the prop to move the stern when operating astern."

D. Bruce Stott
President
Gulf Islands Cruising School Ltd.

Yachting Magazine Nov. 2004

Letters to the Editor

Coastal Navigation Introduction

We have made available a free five e-mail lesson introduction to Coastal Navigation covering Tides and Currents, Nautical charts, Magnetic compass, Plotting, Bearing, Fix and Aids to Navigation.

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Boating Articles

A number of interesting boating articles have been added to our website. Topics include Boating Safety, PCOC, Cold Water Shock, Shore Power Cords, Killing Uninvited Guests.

Articles can be accessed by clicking here.

Additional articles will be added periodically and we invite your input into the information you would find beneficial. Comments on this blog will assist us in providing you with relevant information.

Boating Education

During the off season, there are lessons and courses available to increase your boating knowledge.


Pleasure Craft Operator Card
Home Study Coastal Navigation
VHF Radio Operator Certificate
E-lessons by Doug Dawson
First Mate 101 by Brenda Dawson
Private Instruction

Docking Tip

When secured to a dock, the stern will often move away from the dock due to the angle of the stern line. Instead of bending over and pulling on the stern line, simply step on the line between the dock cleat and the vessel to bring the stern gently close to the dock. The technique has been proven effective on vessels up to 65 feet.

E-lessons on docking single and twin engine vessels, inboard, outboards and inboard/outboard.

Tide or Current? Part 2

By using the Tide and Current Tables correctly you will be able to predict the depth at low and high water and be able to use the current to your advantage.

One question many boaters ask is how are the Tables arranged? One of the commercial books is arranged in alphabetical order while the Official Tables produced by the Canadian Hydrographic Service are arranged in order from seaward. They start at the western entrance of Juan de Fuca Strait, go down into Puget Sound and then northwards through the Strait of Georgia.

A Reference Port is where the Tidal height has been measured such as Fulford Harbour which is the Reference Port of the Southern Gulf Islands. There are tables of corrections to the Secondary Ports. A Reference Station gives the details of the currents and similarly there are tables of corrections to the Secondary Stations.

It is critical to understand that the time of low water stand and the time of the turn to flood do not normally occur at the same time. In the Sidney area, the difference of the time of low water stand and the turn to flood in Sidney Channel can be 1 hour and 40 minutes. Likewise the time of high water stand and the turn to ebb do not correspond.

Full details are contained in the Home Study Coastal Navigation Course

Tide or Current?

Tide is the vertical motion of the water caused mainly by the gravitational effects of the sun and the moon. When there is no vertical motion this is referred to as stand. Current, or more correctly, tidal stream is the horizontal flow of the water. The current coming in from the sea is called a flood current while the current flowing out to sea is the ebb current. When there is no horizontal movement this is referred to as slack, slack water or the turn.

“Commonly used expressions like “flood tide” and “ebb tide” should be avoided, as they confuse the horizontal motions of tidal currents with the vertical displacements of the tide” Oceanography of the British Columbia Coast – Richard E Thomson Published by Department of Fisheries and Oceans

For further information see the Home Study Coastal Navigation Course.