BCS Bow thruster

I have been doing just as you say without any thrusters.
However, I have found that crew members may have problems lasooing a cleat from high up on a bow, I prefer them not to jump of board etc.

So the stern thruster makes it much easier in locks and docking. On my last pontoon I had a few feet betweenn me and the next boat - it would have come in handy then in resisting side winds etc.

Further there are a number of occasions in jostling around outside the lock when the ability to travel sideways makes life much easier. Many at Swansea have finished off a set of props in waiting for the lock.

Would you agree that thrusters make the tasks easier?

Would you agree that you cannot travel sideways without stern and bow thrusters - that is the bow and the stern moving in the same direction at the same time?
:)

<hr width=100% size=1>Paul
 
Haydn will never agree Paul, hes locked in a time warp.

Probably refuses to have power steering and central locking on his car cos you can do without them, even though they make life easier.

Thing is there are times when you may be on a jolly with guests who are not to adept with ropes, or placing ball fenders in the correct position for rolling round the bow to get off pontoons so as not to damage hull etc.

I know my wife for one is not confidenet enough to carry out such tasks.
On these occasions its nice to have a bow or indeed stern thruster.
Anti innovation is a British disease.


<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.suncoastmarine.co.uk>Sun Coast Sea School & Charter</A>
 
How do I know if bow or stern thrusters are any good. I've never used them. Also never had much of a desire to go sideways. Folwards and back have always been quite sufficiant.

Big round fender dont need moving about by idiot crew. It goes in the same place every time.

Anyway why you keep bullying me. My names not Happy!!

I'm quite happy for you to have bow or bum thrusters but Mucky Farter would be most upset.

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Haydn
 
Quotes from Haydn:-

"How do I know if bow or stern thrusters are any good. I've never used them."

"I Fink you dont need one."

If you have never used one and do not know about them how can you tell someone that you think they do not need one? :)

Me thinks you are a reactionary ... or maybe a non-revolutionary as opposed to a counter revolutionary, anyway Stalin would have had you shot to avoid any doubt on the matter!
:)

The whole thrust of my posts is that thrusters make things easier. I agree that everyone should learn to handle a boat without them but there are times when they are just plain handy.

The experience of crew varies enormously and thrusters help reduce the stress on crew.

In my case I have a radio remote control so that I can stand on the side of the fly bridge and see my bow and stern as I bring her in ... makes life a lot easier. I could stand on the pontoon send the boat out, make it do a turn and bring her back - a sort of larger model boat but I don't fancy scaring everyone with that trick!







<hr width=100% size=1>Paul
 
Oi!!

Stop having a go at my mate Haydn, if he wants to live in the 1950s that's his choice.;-))

Now what I really want to know is why you all fink 2 engines are essential + all these noisy add ons. I'll report you all to the nosey abatement society!! /forums/images/icons/wink.gif

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<blockquote><font size=1>In reply to:</font><hr>

In my case I have a radio remote control so that I can stand on the side of the fly bridge and see my bow and stern as I bring her in ... makes life a lot easier. I could stand on the pontoon send the boat out, make it do a turn and bring her back - a sort of larger model boat but I don't fancy scaring everyone with that trick!

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C'mon....admit it.....youre a bit of a poser, really, aren't you ! Are you sure its not yourself that you dont fancy scaring? /forums/images/icons/smile.gif
If someone wants a bow and/or stern thruster, can afford it, and learns to use 'em properlike, thats fine by me. I dont have them on my P32 and have practiced lots so's folks in locks etc ask ' that was neat, have you got a bow thruster?'

I smile ignominiously - just in case I cock it up next time!



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Re: needing bow thrusters

I think bow thrusters are like power steering on a car. You don't need them, but if it's an option - you'd be best off having it.

Stern thrusters is a bit different - I know one bloke had one fitted and (cos all stern-to mooring) has never used it. So bowthruster is more esssential, sternthruster not essential but nice. If it works. Whcich it probly wouldn't do with me or haydn after a while.

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Well wot you going on about. You got your bow and bum thrusters, also wizzy remote thingy.

Have you thought of putting one of those remote control thingies on the pontoon. With a coin slot. You might earn a bob or two............................/forums/images/icons/laugh.gif

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Haydn
 
"Well wot you going on about. "

I am just challanging the view that such things as thrusters are not nice to have. They are nice to have.

In my whole time on my previous boat I amanged to bend a neighbours stanchion on one occasion when I was caight by the wind - cost was about £35 and that was without any thrusters. However, at times, I had stressed crew and felt a lot of stress myself. Having almost gone to jets, it seemed to me that a set of thrusters would be a poor second. .. however better than none.

My view is that anything that makes marina/pontoon work easier is very welcome yet I keep coming across a mcaho thin about it being best to survive without thrusters and that does not make sense to me.

I can be coming into a a tight berth going in alongside stern first with just a few feet between me and the next boat - wind pops up and I rapidly start to move over to the next boat - I am fendered yes and have managed it but with stress.

One chap told me that thrusters were not needed then proceeded to tell me about how it can all be done with two engines followed by "Mind you, when the wind catches you there is nothing anyone can do" . Its this illogical approach that baffles me.

I was not really picking on you Haydn, just bringing you face to face with the logic of your own points :)

<hr width=100% size=1>Paul
 
"C'mon....admit it.....youre a bit of a poser, really, aren't you ! Are you sure its not yourself that you dont fancy scaring? "

I actually feel a bit stupid fetching the tiny remote out of my pocket and moving the 27 tons with it.... it seems absurd It impresses my friends though. Yep - its me being scared stiff as I head into locks with 2 feet either end to spare, mingle around with many other boats trying not to pring my props as I wait for the lock, move around other boats with only feet to spare with gusty winds ... so point accepted - above all its me I want to stop scaring :)



<hr width=100% size=1>Paul
 
Re: needing bow thrusters

"I think bow thrusters are like power steering on a car. You don't need them, but if it's an option - you'd be best off having it. "

We agree.

" So bowthruster is more esssential, sternthruster not essential but nice."

We agree again! :)







<hr width=100% size=1>Paul
 
Re: needing bow thrusters

"I think bow thrusters are like power steering on a car. You don't need them, but if it's an option - you'd be best off having it. "

Same as my point if you look at my post, hence tcm agrees

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.suncoastmarine.co.uk>Sun Coast Sea School & Charter</A>
 
Saw a nice one on a good size boat on the Hamble ('bout 70' I'd guess). Owner fires up engines, steps onto pontoon, cast off lines, grabs his control module, drives boat out into tide, turns round and brings her back in. All from the pontoon - no need to be on the boat it seems. Very slick - until it goes wrong - but very very cool trick

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\"when the wind catches you\"

I note someone else said this. I is useful to know exactly how much wind the thrusters can and cannot work against. I would guess that against much above 30 knots of wind, thrusters can still be useful but can't drive the nose into the wind easily, given the limited amount of time that they can run.

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Re: \"when the wind catches you\"

TCM - you are right.

Thrusters can manage up to about 30 knots of wind if chosen correctly and drive a boat against that wind.

They are limited in the time they can run but again if good, they can run for say 2 to 3 minutes at a time, which is a long time.

For me, the ability to go into the lock, go sideways and hold against the side whilst the boat is secured removes pressure from crew, from me and helps the boat to be enjoyed more.


<hr width=100% size=1>Paul
 
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