Mastering The Pivot Turn

By Capt. Steve Jacobs with Stacey Nedrow-Wigmore


Pivot turn illustration©2017 Mirto Art Studio

You've just cruised into a marina and turned down a fairway when you realize it's the wrong one. Space is tight, and the bulkhead is looming in front of you. What do you do? A pivot turn will help get you out of the situation easily.

Making a U-turn by turning the wheel all the way and putting the throttle in forward idle would likely require the space of at least two-and-a-half boat lengths to complete. In this situation, it's unlikely that you'll have enough room to do that. The pivot turn allows you to change direction by essentially rotating on the spot. The technique is similar to performing a three-point turn (or K-turn) in a car.

Keep in mind that while the technique stays essentially the same, no two pivot turns are exactly alike. The wind direction and speed, as well as current, will affect how long you leave the boat in gear and how many times you need to repeat the process. For example, if the wind is behind you and you're forced to turn into the wind, you may need to change the wheel direction more quickly and stay in gear for shorter periods to keep the wind from pushing you off your pivot point.

While performing the pivot turn, keep your head on a swivel. This means that you should look in the direction your boat is going (turn around when in reverse; look ahead when in forward), but also be aware of traffic and obstacles around you. It's also helpful to pick a spot nearby, such as a piling, to use as a reference point to make sure you're not drifting too far out of your pivot zone.






Steve Jacobs is director of training/instructor for Freedom Boat Club, based in Venice, Florida. He holds a 50-ton U.S. Coast Guard Master license with towing and radar endorsements. He is also a certified Recreational Powerboating Association and National Safe Boating Council instructor.

— Published: October/November 2017

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