Epic Navigator · video

What this video covers

Alexandros Retsinas demonstrates a backing-speed management technique while approaching a small dock at Krasopanagia, a chapel on the northwest coast of Methana.0:05 The boat has a shallow draft, which reduces steerage at low reverse speeds, so he enters the approach with more reverse throttle than usual to maintain rudder authority.0:23 Once the target speed is reached, he shifts to neutral and then sweeps the rudder hard to port, then hard to starboard, repeatedly and quickly. The rapid side-to-side rudder movement creates drag that bleeds off speed progressively without the abrupt deceleration of a forward burst. It also angles the bow into the wind, countering the port-side breeze. At minimum speed, he applies a short forward burst to stop the boat cleanly alongside, allowing crew to step ashore. The takeaway: on shallow-draft boats where low reverse speed kills steerage, entering the approach fast and then scrubbing speed with full rudder oscillations gives both control and a controlled stop.

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