2002 40' Express New Owner

[chariotdriver]

Just bought a 2002 40' Express down here in Bay St Louis, MS
(Gulf-O-Mexico) and have never owned a boat like this, or even anything close so it's going to be a little learning curve here for me to get accustomed to backing it in and all the electronics on board.
Just a little paranoid about dinging her up some and do not want that to happen.

Hope to learn a lot here and I hope that I do not bore you with all the questions that will be coming.
Thanks,
Phil

[BOAT BULLY]

There are lot of great and helpful Luhr's owners on this board.

Congrats on the new bost,

Gil

[CaptainJR]

I felt the same as you when I moved up Phil. Within a couple months became a piece of cake. Some advice on the docking:

- Don't steer. Set the rudders straight and "bump" the engines port or starboard for turning, spinning, and backing.

- When backing in, turn around and face backwards, keeping one hand on the gear shifters. Gives you the familiar sensation you're driving forwards.

- And the old standard, don't go faster than the speed at which you're willing to hit the dock.

Enjoy!

[flbluerunner]

Welcome,
After over 4500 hours driving 2 different 38 Opens you will find that they handle very well and react to your input as they should.
Pick an area that has no boat traffic and some pilings or markers, spend time backing in to the piling, walking her sideways and pulling in. In no time you will be comfortable.
Have fun.

[chariotdriver]

Welcome,
After over 4500 hours driving 2 different 38 Opens you will find that they handle very well and react to your input as they should.
Pick an area that has no boat traffic and some pilings or markers, spend time backing in to the piling, walking her sideways and pulling in. In no time you will be comfortable.
Have fun.

I have been told before that using steering in conjunction with backing her in etc does not work to well since I have speed rudders.
You mentioned walking her sideways, will this work withthis boat?
I know this must be some very basic info but "if you don't know, you don't know"
For instance if I'm docked on the Port side and want to walk her AWAY from the dock, would I put Port Rudder and forward Port Prop and reverse Starboard Prop.
This is what I've been told.
Is this the right place to be asking this info?

[witeagle]

It all depends on which way the wind is heading, the current, etc. There may be 5 different situations depending on conditions.

If your current and wind is hitting you on your port beam, just untie and float away from the dock. If you have the wind and current to your starboard beam, you may need to tie off to your port bowcleat, port engine in reverse, starboard in forward. This should kick your transom to starboard away from the dock. (make sure you have enough fenders in place) Once you are at a 45 or so from the dock and clear of other boats, you can put the starboard engine in nutrel leaving your port in reverse. At this point, you can slowly let your tie off on the port bow cleat slip away from the dock and you will be away from the dock. Recover your dock line and then just manuver yourself into the channel and off you go.

[chariotdriver]

I see what your talking about.
Let it pivot off the Port Bow where it is tied up and once the boat is pointed away enough form the dock just untie and back out enough to be able to turn around.
Thanks for saving me money on fiberglass repair.
Phil

[witeagle]

NP.... One of the things you learn taking some of the USPS courses.

[chariotdriver]

I can see where a course would be a valuable thing.
I can fly airplanes but this is a whole new world.
Phil

[dave01]

My advice would be to spend some money, hire a captain to spend some time with you on the boat. At our dealership we give 8 hours of instruction with the local Sea Tow Operator. They are usually very patient and great teachers. That and practice will make perfect, Congrats and Good Luck!