On 9/7/07, Steve Wood <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Yes there were/are a few other HA2s around in Joshers. The new stern > doesn't have that incredible shape below the waterline - its very much > like a modern craft in that sense.
That might explain it then. If you look at more original iron motor boats their swim narrows not only in the horizontal, but vertical directions also (getting thiner as it gets deeper). This allows the prop access to the maximum of water. The swims are also fairly long which helps alot. This could be part of your 'problem'. Is the prop matched well with the engine? What sort of space do you have to swing a prop? Trad boats have huge propellers. Still, the swim on Shoestring (or Kismet) isn't very clever and still manages a good speed along canals with little fuss. I tend to find that longer boats manage better than shorter boats in this regard also. I don't think any narrowboats reverse particularly well, but again a well made swim helps I think. It needs to be symetrical to have any chance of going the right direction. You also need a good speed of water over the rudder which usually means using plenty of throttle (even in reverse the prop is pulling the water through the rudder). Again I find longer boats cope better, more keel in the water I assume. Mike -- Michael Askin http://shoestring_DOT_zapto_DOT_org/
