Bow thruster Gripe.

  • Thread starter Thread starter hlb
  • Start date Start date
Re: It\'s down to training - imho

"agree, had to fend a nearby neighbour T34 away from my stern recently, wind blowing side him on, bow thruster going like mad but inneffective, 10 peeps on board all sat gormless doing nothing to help"

The fact uis that the chap could not handle the boat regardless of engines, thrusters etc - the plonker trying to handle it without getting the right tuition is the only person to blame - the bow thrusters are innocenet.

I bet there are lots who can handle boats and who have bow thrusters - the bow thrusters are just a tool the only thing that counts is the skill of the skipper.

I saw a very exeperienced chap being caight by wind recently and having to fender off other boats - he did not have a bow thruster and the problem could have been avoided with one. At times they are handy and the only ones who denyu that are flat earthers who balme the tool rather than the workman :-)

Cheers




<hr width=100% size=1>Paul
 
Re: going sideways

Gludy, this is arguing the toss. You can go proper proper sideways with shafts and bow thruster. This "describe an arc" stuff is steady state analysis, and thus wrong. By blipping the two throttles etc all the right way you CAN go sideways. Tis a fact.

I dont dispute your claim that sternthrusters are nice and easy and convenient. They are. But that's all they are. They dont allow you to do something you cant already do, they just make it easier. Like a electric windows.

Also praps not fair to condemn people from quayside observation. Frexample I often do the sharp 90deg turn at end of our marina pier using bow thruster. A decent 20sec blast. You might say plonker if you saw me. But I do it to get the weed and slime and crap that 2-3 weeks parked in warm med water puts on the thruster.

<hr width=100% size=1>
 
Re: going sideways

"Gludy, this is arguing the toss. You can go proper proper sideways with shafts and bow thruster. This "describe an arc" stuff is steady state analysis, and thus wrong. By blipping the two throttles etc all the right way you CAN go sideways. Tis a fact."

I have already stated that you can go almost sideways but properly sideways as with two thrusters - however the difference we are talking about is small.

"I dont dispute your claim that sternthrusters are nice and easy and convenient. They are. But that's all they are. They dont allow you to do something you cant already do, they just make it easier. Like a electric windows."

I almost agree with that. There are times in a croded marina when a thruster would be more than just convenient and easy.


"Also praps not fair to condemn people from quayside observation. Frexample I often do the sharp 90deg turn at end of our marina pier using bow thruster. A decent 20sec blast. You might say plonker if you saw me. But I do it to get the weed and slime and crap that 2-3 weeks parked in warm med water puts on the thruster. "

I am very careful about condeming people from quayside observations - the example you give is a good one - however I am talking about a different league to just a 90 degree turn.

You have a bow thruster - does it corrupt you or lead you down the wrong path? That is the underlying point I am fighting here - Haydn claims that they encourage people down thw wrong path. I say that the plonkers manage that all by themselves - the trhuster is not to blame. I add, and I am sure Haydn agrees that there is no substitute for proper training and experience.




<hr width=100% size=1>Paul
 
Re: going sideways

<font color=red>Training</font color=red> E by gum lad. I did all my training at Butlins with a free rowing boat. Mind you they had bow and stern thrusters if you took the oars out of there sockets!!

<hr width=100% size=1> <font color=blue>No one can force me to come here.<font color=red> I'm a volunteer!!.<font color=blue>

Haydn
 
My wife is insisting that I fit a bow thruster this winter - but to date I have never got into a situation (except when I first had the boat - not the place for confessions!) where I have not found a way of handling it. Unlike stinkies - we only have one engine - but we don't go sidesways so fast. Up till now I have used a combination of springs and engine power, and on a few occaisions using the dinghy as a tug - which my son thoroughly enjoys doing.

I recon I would benefit from the expense about 2 or 3 times a year at the most. But worse - it would take all the pleasure away of performing a difficult manouver. Perhaps I'm a masochist!

<hr width=100% size=1><P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by Chris_Robb on 03/09/2003 16:41 (server time).</FONT></P>
 
Re: Bum thrusters

Yes but just like Viagra. Only for when you get very old..../forums/images/icons/wink.gif

<hr width=100% size=1> <font color=blue>No one can force me to come here.<font color=red> I'm a volunteer!!.<font color=blue>

Haydn
 
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