Freebee
Well-known member
Thinking about DIY fitting a bow thruster this winter to my 25ft motor cruiser. whats the cheapest/best on the market? Any body care to air their views?
bow thruster any views
- Thread starter Freebee
- Start date
hlb
RIP
Get a grip man! Go for driving leasons. Much cheaper.
No one can force me to come here-----------
----- I'm a Volunteer!!!
Haydn
No one can force me to come here-----------
----- I'm a Volunteer!!!
Haydn
ccscott49
Active member
Shouldn't be too big of a problem, vetus do a little book on it, but I tend to agree with Haydn, what for! 25' is but a big speed boat.
Freebee
Well-known member
I don't disagree with the need for driving lessons, But just how do you practice getting on and off a berth without walloping either the steel dockside or other craft?
I see other owners cringing when its time to bring my pride n joy home!
I see other owners cringing when its time to bring my pride n joy home!
RupertW
Well-known member
Local RYA schools will often hire out their instructors for a day to teach owners to manouvre their own boats. Well worth the money.
Failing that try booking onto a boat handling course designed for motor boat owners. I'm pretty sure Dover Sea school do one, and there must be lots of others.
Even after 10 years of owning boats and a lot more time sailing them, I was amazed how much I learnt about parking on a couple of course I did last year.
Failing that try booking onto a boat handling course designed for motor boat owners. I'm pretty sure Dover Sea school do one, and there must be lots of others.
Even after 10 years of owning boats and a lot more time sailing them, I was amazed how much I learnt about parking on a couple of course I did last year.
hlb
RIP
Or go practice on yer own. Find some spot up a river or an empty pontoon if you can. Watch the wind and the tide and just practice all day till you get it right. Dont forget to try plan B or C if you get it wrong. Dont be frightened of using ropes as springs if it helps. Nearly always go onto a mooring forwards and off it in reverse. If its single engined. Learn about paddle wheel effect. If its a twin god help you, its easier to drive than a dogem car!!
No one can force me to come here-----------
----- I'm a Volunteer!!!
Haydn
No one can force me to come here-----------
----- I'm a Volunteer!!!
Haydn
G
Guest
Guest
Re: bow thruster any views Mike
I find my self agreeing with hlb for once, practicing coming on and off will help, enlist the aid of a trusty
crew member and use the ropes and bouy fenders. If your down Chatham way insid the Marina theres
a huge section of the basin which they have not yet build pontoons on. You can practice in there
I see the school sail boat doing it.
"The Med is calling me"
I find my self agreeing with hlb for once, practicing coming on and off will help, enlist the aid of a trusty
crew member and use the ropes and bouy fenders. If your down Chatham way insid the Marina theres
a huge section of the basin which they have not yet build pontoons on. You can practice in there
I see the school sail boat doing it.
"The Med is calling me"
RupertW
Well-known member
You are absolutely right about practicing, but even a couple of hours learning someone else's tricks can open your eyes to how you could have avoided worrying about some of those sticky wind, tide, marina situations.
Examples for me were motoring against a single midship line to hold you onto a pontoon when short handed, and full-throttle single-engine power turns in your own length between lines of parked (and watching) boats.
Examples for me were motoring against a single midship line to hold you onto a pontoon when short handed, and full-throttle single-engine power turns in your own length between lines of parked (and watching) boats.
Boathook
Well-known member
FIT IT !
I did last winter (Vetus 55 Kgf model) and the difference it has made to mooring on a boat who's bows swing to the wind on any excuse. The Vetus catalogue gives details of what to 'measure' so find the correct size.
I did last winter (Vetus 55 Kgf model) and the difference it has made to mooring on a boat who's bows swing to the wind on any excuse. The Vetus catalogue gives details of what to 'measure' so find the correct size.