Inboard Boat Driving

An inboard boat is a boat with an engine INSIDE the hull of the boat (can have multiple engines). The engine connects to the boat's propeller ("prop") by a shaft. The propeller is under the hull of the boat towards the stern. The rudder, which is the means of steering the boat, is directly aft of the propeller. To steer on an inboard, water must rush over the rudder. Meaning the vessel must be making way to steer. Generally, boats using an inboard engine as propulsion are larger than those using outboard engines.

FORWARD

• To go forward, engage the throttle in the forward gear. There is a slight delay in the forward movement. But once the momentum gets going, you will reach a consistent speed. 
• In forward, the prop will spin. Generally vessels with a single engine, called a "single screw", will have a propeller that spins clockwise when in forward gear.

NEUTRAL

• In neutral sitting still, a vessel's prop will move freely. In this case with no water rushing over it, the prop will not spin. 
• If a vessel has forward or reverse momentum, the propeller will move freely along with that momentum.

REVERSE

• To go reverse, the vessel's throttles should be placed in the reverse gear. There is a slight delay in movement of the vessel. But once momentum gets going, it will reach a consistent speed. 
• Relative to forward gear, reverse gear is much less efficient. At the same RPM's, reverse will reach a slower speed than forward. The shape of the vessel along with the propellers contribute to this.
• In reverse, the leading part is the stern. The stern is flat and bulky which increases drag in the water. The propeller is also less efficient in this because the leading edge of the propeller generally has more of a flat angle.
• Generally in a "single screw", a prop in reverse will spin counter clockwise.

FORWARD

• In an inboard boat, you will not be able to turn to the left or right without having momentum built up.
• In forward, the prop has to push water over the rudder in order to turn to the left or the right. Turning will not be immediate because momentum will need to to built first.

NEUTRAL

• In neutral sitting still, you can turn the rudder all you want. Nothing will happen.
• If you are drifting in forward, depending on your speed, you will turn. The faster your drifting speed, the more responsive turning is.
• If drifting forward at 5 knots, you will still be able to control the vessel some. But drifting at 1 knot, you will not get much response. 

REVERSE

• In reverse, the propeller is not pushing water over the rudder. Instead, the water is being pushed toward the bow of the boat.
• The vessel will turn slowly, but a lot of speed has to be built up to run water over the rudder.
• In reverse, the prop direction will affect how to back up. If you have a propeller that spins counter clockwise, the boat will walk slightly to the starboard side (and visa-versa). This is called propwalk. 

• Boats do not have brakes.
• To stop a boat from moving forward, the boat must move from forward to neutral first. This will slow down some momentum, but it will take time. Depending on your speed, you want to judge how long to stay in neutral before you put the engines into reverse. 
• The faster you are going, the longer you should wait before you put the gears into reverse. If you are at high speeds and go straight from forward to neutral to reverse in less than a few seconds, you are at risk of engine failure. 
• Make sure to take off as much momentum as possible in neutral before moving to reverse. 

• To dock, you will take the driving information above and put it all together.
• Time and experience can perfect your docking comfort and ability. Of course, the more you do it, the more comfortable you are.
• Perfect conditions can help you understand the theory of docking. As wind and current are applied, you will need to adjust accordingly.