Boat Handling: Runabouts & Tinnies
The convenience of a small runabout or tinny that fits on the car roof or trailer is popular in Australia for many reasons.
Cheap to buy, store and run, runabouts and tinnies are functional boats on the water for whatever you choose to do. Inshore fishos may prefer a punt style vessel, while the general day-boater will opt for an all-round hull and those with offshore aspirations will opt for deeper or modified vee-hull with protected centre console. Many of these are also ideal beginner boats because they are small and relatively easy to handle, often with simple outboard arm steering. Australian boat shows contain hundreds of them, so they’re a good place to shop and specify the best outboard and trailer.
Design
Moulded fibreglass and aluminium both make for ideal building materials for runabouts, with global manufacturers mostly opting for the former, while locally, many builders use aluminium. Thus, the iconic tinny, which is very much an Australian and New Zealand phenomena. Their origins stem partly from corrugated iron use, in tank fabrication and even simple canoes, so there was a logical step to metal boats locally. Pioneered after wartime experiences with alloy welding by the Sydney Quintrex company, owner Terry Quantrill mastered T.I.G. welding of plate alloy to create single-chine vee-section hulls. Quantrill built in buoyancy by adding foam blocks under the thwarts, making the open tinny relatively safe even when swamped.
Toughness is key — it can lie on the beach, be baked by the searing Aussie sun, bashed on rocks and generally be abused, yet survive. However, it's not a comfortable boat in cold climates, so you see few in northern climes where the 'warmer' fibreglass takes precedence. Fibreglass can also be moulded into more nuanced shapes for better handling and is friendlier to the recreational boater who doesn't want to bruise limbs on blunt edges. Among early tinny designers was young naval architect Alan Payne who is credited with a tinny design in 1947 for a 12-foot single chine, shallow ‘vee’ bottomed ‘putt putt’ that used a 3HP Simplex engine. Outboard engine development was key to the success of the tinny, with the advent of affordable two-stroke motors in the late 1950s from American manufacturers Evinrude, Mercury and Johnson. They steadily eroded the earlier market created in the 1930s by British Seagull outboards, yet most of us senior sailors from Europe grew up using the simple and trusty Seagull.
Characteristics
Choosing the right boat depends on your intended use. Many buyers opt for the general runabout shape of modified vee-hull for punching through waves, with flatter aft sections for planing and a keel that gives stability and steerage. However, the lake fisherman may choose a square nosed punt with flat bottom for shallow waters and vertical topsides to maximise volume and give stability for casting from the bow. Punts are very stable platforms in sheltered waters and have good load-carrying capabilities for crab pots and other gear. On the other hand, the recreational sailor who enjoys family days and some fishing may seek a craft with sharper handling and more creature comforts — thus the rise of fibreglass runabouts from major European and USA manufacturers who squeeze in sunpads, pressure showers, sunshades and other comforts.
Handling
Slow speed handling is best understood by the phrase 'in gear to steer', as without controlled momentum the lightweight runabout will simply drift out of control. The more deadrise and deeper its vee sections, the better the grip on the water and the more predictable the handling. So, turning will involve slicing through the water, rather than skidding. Learner drivers using transom outboards must understand the principle of pushing the throttle arm in the opposite direction of the desired way of travel, while the console steering wheel users simply treat it like driving a car.
Docking is a controlled manoeuvre (not simply slow) whereby you are in control of your direction and speed. The amount of control varies with the strength of wind and tide, but the ideal outcome is to gently come alongside the dock with fenders in place, painter ready and hands clear of the gunwales.
At speed the runabout is fun and responsive but can be dangerous if sudden helm movements are made. Safety is paramount, so ensure the kill switch line is on the steerer's wrist. The ride can be bumpy, so check that the outboard is firmly clamped on (and running cooling water through its leg) and all gear stowed (including passengers), especially if you come upon the wash from a larger craft.
Trimming can be a challenge in small craft because the weight (engine and steerer) is at the back. There are several ways to alleviate this. Easily done by tilting the outboard leg and simply moving weight around. A common way on tiny runabouts is to extend the tiller/throttle arm with a plastic pipe and sit in the middle seat. However, this compromises safety, so where possible it's preferable to adjust the ratchet on the outboard leg (or use the electric trim on larger runabouts). Moving the leg away from the transom will push the bow up and vice versa. An even fore-aft trim at speed is the ideal, with the outboard's ventilation plate nearly touching the surface at a right angle. This will also lift the stern, thus minimising drag and promoting planing.
Oncoming seas: Beach launching and bashing against waves requires a sharp and full bow in a runabout. Some fishing versions have flat forward bows, such as fishing punts so don't like waves hitting this part square-on or on the quarter, so ideally run across the seas or away from them because these hull shapes are like giant surf boards. Whereas a vee-bow will happily punch into moderate oncoming seas. However, remembering it's an open boat with limited bailing capabilities, moderation should be shown to avoid taking waves aboard.
Beam seas can be a dangerous scenario for the open runabout, with its shallow draft and relatively high topsides. However, in some scenarios and hulls (flat bows) it may be required to minimise wave impact. However, breaking wave crests need evasive action such as running off or slowing to avoid swamping. Swamping in a boat with single exposed engine can mean disaster, so the small runabout can be fitted with oars for emergency propulsion.
Running with the seas is a common scenario during fishing trips, in moderate conditions. Follow the speed of the wave train to avoid swamping and if coming ashore on a beach, ride the back of the leading wave in. However, offshore in changing conditions requires skilful throttle control to avoid falling off waves or burying the noise in leading waves. This is a dangerous scenario for the open runabout with limited buoyancy and stability, so should be avoided by careful attention to the weather forecast.
Trailering: Portability is what runabouts are for but ensure your car can pull the load safely. Practice driving (especially reversing) your vehicle with the trailer and boat attached in an open area because busy boat ramp moments can become stressful. Load up essentials like lifejackets and esky before going down the ramp. Visiting new ramps is fun but check access in case of sudden drop-offs and obstructions. Two people for launching are ideal because your partner can drive the boat alongside the ramp after you remove the trailer. Keep the trailer winch line attached to avoid the embarrassment of the boat drifting off. Ideally, start the motor while still attached as well. Trailers are a whole other topic but maintenance (wheel bearings, light-boards and brakes) is essential.
