I bought Parker 21 'Juniper' Sail number 47 earlier this year.

I have just got her back to Leigh on Sea and she is berthed in Leigh Marina.

My previous boat, a Hawk 20 had an inboard outboard and I used the outboard to steer out of the berth, I seem to be having a lot of difficulty reversing out using the rudder, I have the plate down, maybe need a bit more, but I just can't control it, I understand reversing slowly out as I did before does not give enough water across the rudder, and the prop wash seems to push the stern to starboard doesn't help.

Do I need to be a bit more aggresive with the engine speed?

I would be most grateful for any advice based on your own experience.

Many thanks

David Stacey

I have a P21 with originally a Tohasu 5hp. I now use an electric motor - epropulsion spirit. I've not had any big concern reversing out of my marina berth, but do need a bit of speed for effective rudder control. As the boat is fairly light weight, I often give her a shove astern to start off rather than leaving it all to the motor. The Tohatsu could only be angled slightly so not much help in steering, but the ePropulsion motor can be angled more which I sometimes do to help out if the wind is pushing the wrong way. I would always have the keel fully dropped for best control. I've manoeuvred with the keel half down and she slides sideways quite alarmingly in a confined space.

You mentioned the prop walk taking the stern to starboard which is the opposite to my motors. I go to port in reverse. Perhaps you could try using the prop walk to your advantage - let the stern go that way and reverse all the way out to a larger space to turn? Practice is good, so I'd say find a bit of space on a quiet day and try reversing from a standstill with different revs.

Martin