ARCTIC STAR OPERATING MANUAL
NW Explorations | 39
8.3
Close quarter Maneuvering
Arctic Star has enough power to drive the boat at idle speed; you will not need to use the
throttles, only the gear shifters. With twin engines, it is easier to keep the rudders at the center
position. You can steer the boat by using forward and reverse gear to twist the boat in one
direction or the other. Imagine that you are driving a grocery cart; forward with the starboard
engine will turn the boat toward the port side. Using reverse gear will accentuate the turn and
slow the boat down. When you shift between forward and reverse, hold the gear shift in
neutral for a count of 3. Shifting directly between forward and reverse can damage the
transmission. Take it slow. Shift in and out of gear to keep your speed and momentum in
control and give you time to plan you next maneuver. You may also use the bow thruster to
steer the boat with short bursts of the thruster.
Plan your maneuver ahead; have a route to the dock in mind and follow the route that brings
you into the dock. You will look like a professional.
8.4
Bow Thruster
A bow thruster is a wonderful tool to assist with close-quarter maneuvering. Short bursts of the
thruster can help to make small adjustments the boats momentum. A push of the joystick to
one direction will move the bow in that direction. The bow thruster pushes the bow to one side
and since the boat will pivot at its center of lateral resistance (the pivot point), the stern will
move to the opposite direction; the bow thruster can also be used to adjust the position of the
stern. Use the bow thruster with short bursts so that you do over steer the boat which will
require correcting with bursts of the thruster in the opposite direction.
8.5
Stabilizer
Arctic Star is equipped with a Naiad hydraulic stabilizer system that controls the movement of
two fins under the boat to reduce the motion of the boat in choppy sea conditions. The roll
stabilizer control panel is on the overhead dashboard of the lower helm station and the breaker
switches are on the 12-
volt DC panel: ‘STBL MASTER’ and ‘STBL PUMP’. This system operates
with a hydraulic pump that is driven by the port engine and the system reaches its full
effectiveness at cruising speed. When at idle speed the fins should be centered so that they do
not interfere with close-quarter maneuvering. Centering the fins lock them in position and they
will not turn to counteract the boats motion. The system must be turned on for the fins to be
centered; if the system is not turned on and centered, the fins will turn freely and go
cattywampus, and then they will interfere with maneuvering.