Prop Walk

Most sail boats and many powerboats with a single inboard will ‘suffer’ from Prop Walk. A phenomenon whereby the use of reverse gear at a slow speed will drive the stern of the boat to port if the prop is right handed. Prop Walk can be beneficial or a hindrance when docking. If pulling up to a dock on the port hand side- as the boat approaches the dock and once close, reverse gear is selected- the boat will slow down while the stern swings to the left, towards the dock.

The angle of the shaft, revolutions of the engine in reverse and rudder speed all affect the degree of prop walk. Once the boat has sternway and the rudder becomes effective , prop walk becomes far less prevalent. If the boat is stationary, the angle of the shaft will affect the amount of prop walk, as will the revolutions in reverse.

Prop walk can be used to perform a standing turn, aka Pivot Turn. With a right handed propeller, turning the rudder hard to starboard and alternating between forward and reverse gear momentarily will turn the boat within its own length to the right.