Regal 38 SAV 2019, Owner'S Manual

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When the vessel begins
to gather speed to stern,
the water passing by the
lower gear case housing
will continue to increase
steering torque. If the
helm wheel is turned to
starboard, and will direct the propeller thrust to port,
tracking the stern to starboard.
Wind and current will affect how a vessel backs.
Outboard drive boats tend to be light displacements
and when backing down in a strong crosswind, the
bow will tend to fall toward the windward. This may
cause steering problems.
Stopping
Remember that your boat does not have any brakes.
It uses reverse thrust from the propellers to stop. If
the vessel has headway, with the helm and propeller
in reverse the propeller thrust is directed backwards,
past the lower gear case. Depending on how far
the throttle is advanced, the discharged thrust may
not be strong enough to reverse the water flowing
by the gear case. As the power is increased, the
propeller thrust becomes strong enough to stop the
flow of water past the lower unit, and, as the throttle
is advanced it reverses its flow more completely.
When water is flowing past the gear case, steering
torque is increased, but when the thrust stops the
water flow, the boat will not respond to the helm.
This is a short lived event and is overcome quickly
when the water again flows past the gear case.
Furthermore, added to the energy of the water
hitting the lower gear case, the propeller thrust is
directed by turning the outboard drive unit which
can add to the steering torque.
The prop tends to throw the stern to port. This is why
experienced skippers undertake a port side landing
when wind and current conditions permit. They allow
the prop to move the stern to port toward the dock.
With a forward motion when the helm wheel is
turned hard to one side, the vessel pivots around a
point about 1/3 its length abaft to stern.
Docking
When docking it is recommended to use both
outside outboards (port and starboard engines).
Most docking situations can be accomplished by
working the control levers back and forth in gear
without the use of additional throttle positions. There
are times when wind and/or current may demand the
use of port or starboard control handles to increase
idle throttle a bit to maneuver in tight situations.