Get some speed astern first, because the rudder only works with water flowing past it. With a tiller, push it the opposite way to where you want the stern to go; with a wheel, turn it the way you want the stern to go. Hold it firmly.
Steering backwards feels awkward at first, because the boat responds slowly and prop walk pulls the stern to one side before the rudder starts working.
The rudder only steers when water flows past it. Going astern from a standstill there is no flow at first, so the stern goes wherever prop walk takes it. Once the boat is moving backwards at a knot or two, the rudder starts to work and you can steer.
Which way to steer:
- With a tiller, move it the opposite way to where you want the stern to go. To move the stern to port, push the tiller to starboard.
- With a wheel, turn it the way you want the stern to go. Many helmsmen stand facing aft so this feels natural.
A good method is:
- Centre the rudder and give a firm burst astern to get the boat moving, allowing for the stern to kick.
- Once she is moving, reduce the throttle and steer with small movements.
- Pick a point astern to aim at, and look where you are going, not at the rudder.
Hold the tiller or wheel firmly when going astern. Water hitting the back of the rudder tries to swing it hard over, and an unattended tiller can slam across, damaging the steering or hurting someone. This is also why going astern fast is a bad idea.
The boat will want to point her bow downwind, because the bow is lighter and blows off more easily than the stern. In a crosswind, keep a little more speed so the rudder has authority, and plan for the bow to swing.
Before any tricky manoeuvre, practise in open water: reverse in a straight line, then turn each way, and learn how much speed you need before the rudder takes charge.
More in the book: Chapter 8, Under power, and in the marina