Bow Thruster in The Med

[Chris_Robb]

Mike, I have had an Oceanlord now since 2007, and in the med since 2010.

To get the boat ready I would have a list in this order.

1. Sort out the absolutely atrocious box that calls itself a fridge - it will be a disaster time if you dont. I have loads of plans as to how it was done. If you dont you will be charging your batteries morning noon and night (which will annoy everyone!)

2. Good electric Windlass. with remote control from cockpit. The Oceanlord has a large anchor locker, so it will accommodate 80 meters 8 mm chain without getting stacked up.

3. Holding tank

4. Bow thruster - if the budgets tight you could easily do without. I have one but use it only really to keep it free of weed (excuse). When reversing in you use the chain and anchor to keep you straight ( hence the need for the remote control to control release).

If you want to send me a private message (click on my name and click on private message), I would be very happy to go through things I did and wish I had done before I left.

Good luck!

 

[laika]

2. Good electric Windlass. with remote control from cockpit. The Oceanlord has a large anchor locker, so it will accommodate 80 meters 8 mm chain without getting stacked up.

I've got 75m of 10mm and it *does* cause a problem even though I've rarely let out more than 30m in the UK. With no deck access to the chain locker this can mean dashing down to the forepeak. If replacing the chain I'd definitely go with something more expensive and slinky. I've been pondering re-galvanising to see if that improves things.

 

[Chris_Robb]

I've got 75m of 10mm and it *does* cause a problem even though I've rarely let out more than 30m in the UK. With no deck access to the chain locker this can mean dashing down to the forepeak. If replacing the chain I'd definitely go with something more expensive and slinky. I've been pondering re-galvanising to see if that improves things.

Thats why I stuck with 8mm - but then that was the easy way out! If you think you need more strength then go from a grade 30 to 70. Plenty strong and in my mind, there is little advantage in 10mm chain from the extra weight of the catenary, more just the disadvantages.

Absolute pain to have to go down to the anchor locker to shove the chain over. The Oceanlord locker was designed for 8 mm chain - which works a treat. You may have enough room in the locker to put a small cone which sort of helps spread the chain around

 

[BoyBlue49]

If you do fit a bow thruster, please make sure you mount the top of the tunel 6" below the water line or you will be pumping air and anoying everyone in the marina. Had one on my last boat but rearly used it in the Med.
Big problem I encounered was the prop in the thruster fouled up VERY quickly. As has been said, a good electric windlass, plenty of chain, the usual 50m is a bit restricting in the Med, plenty of ventilation and shade.
Check the weather forcast a couple of times a day.
Deep pockets for the Western Med marinas.

 

[Wino]

Hi Mike,
Years ago it was considered 'sissy' to have a starter motor in a car, but who would be without one today? -
I feel a bow thruster fits a similar picture, many people - particularly those who do not have a thruster - say they are not really needed.
However having been 'boating' in Med. Sth France for many years I now consider that one is virtually essential, particularly if one is 'short handed'
Marina berths have not increased in size,in many cases have become even smaller, tighter. Yet the boats within them have become larger; boats which only 20 years ago were considered big at 40 - 50ft now seem to be at the smaller end of 'standard' so space is at a premium and handling a boat in such restricted spaces can become a worry and anything that can reduce that worry of hitting someone else's very expensive boat, is of great help.
So, Yes, get one - you will be so thankful many times to come.
Wino

 

[BrianH]

I have often wondered if I could benefit from one, especially as my long-keel motor-sailor has a mind of its own in reverse. However, because of that, if I do go into a strange marina - not often, I usually anchor out - I go in bows-to and have always managed easily enough despite invariably being single-handed. With a step-through pulpit and a ladder from the bow-roller it gives more privacy.

Good point about depth of tunnel, with only a 31' boat I doubt it would fit deep enough to not disturb water flow when under way. Also fouling; I have to scrape my propeller at least twice through the summer where I moor (northern Adriatic) and, yes, I do anti-foul it every spring; accessing one in a tunnel at the bow would be even more difficult and irksome.

 

[westernman]

My boat is a long keeler, 53ft LOD and 67ft LOA. 30 tonnes. No bow thruster.
I park stern to (otherwise I can't get off) in most med marinas.

After plenty of practice I can now park almost anywhere. It is sometimes a bit of a logistical challenge working out how to do it with the contraints of wind, prop walk etc.

At first I was convinced a bow thruster was essential. Not so any more.

I agree with Chris about the priority about the fridge. Then think about the batteries and ways of charging them.

 

[ribrage]

Wow! 120m x 12mm chain is the most I've heard of on, what, a 45' steel yacht? Weight about ½ tonne! Must seriously affect your trim. Why so much, so large? With that lot you'll be laying a mooring when you anchor. No need of marinas, or bow-thrusters.

andrew

Bristols my home port so we are equipped to anchor in big tidal ranges -14m on springs - I've been hand hauling a 60lb CQR and chain for the last 15 years , when anchorages are empty that's fine , pick the best spot and no disturbances , here in the med the anchorages are very busy and I often find I'm in much deeper water than I want and in strong winds we've had others drag into us .... Hauling up again and again by hand , I'd had enough

when day trippers leave we want to get in closer to the beach it's a ball ache hauling by hand so I bit the bullet and replaced my ancient old windlass ( seized) and fitted a new one , from new the boat is twin anchors on twin gypsy so the chain is split 50 m and 70 m

at €200 per night around west med it won't take long to pay for it's self and now when people move on plus we can move in much quicker, I've lost count of times another boat moved into a good spot in the time it took me to recover our gear !

 

[tcm]

I am currently preparing my boat Arrifana a Westerly Oceanlord for taking her to the Med in May and when she comes out of the water in March for blasting off and Coppercoating I am thinking of having a bow thruster fitted. I have always sort of considered bow thrusters as 'cheating' but have started to come to the opinion that in a crowded Med marina where berthing stern too seems to be quite popular/required it may well help me get out of a tight spot and/or help prevent me causing damage to the boat . As a bow thruster is a relatively big ticket item I would welcome forum members views as to how useful they are in the Med. I have always managed ok without one in the UK having said that there have been some situations where one would of helped so before committing ££££'s to this I thought I would seek your views.

Oh, nearly forgot to mention, I am thinking of a conventional tunnel thruster with propeller but have recently come across the Jet Thruster. I don't know anyone who has a Jet Thruster so I only have the glossy magazine to go by so if anyone has or knows someone who has experience of the Jet Thruster that would also be helpful.

Many thanks

Mark

I'd save yer money really. I've had boats with bow thrusters, and quite nice.

BUT if you really really need the bow thruster well... be aware that they do fail, and often have a sacrificial drive pin to ensure that when the motor tries to drive a crusty prop... it'll just break the drive pin, and the bowthruster motor and prop both survive and only need a new drive olin, hurrah, 50pence ..... but meanwhile you're at the helm pressing that button and it's doing that high screaming noise of unloaded lecy motor AGAIN ... or perhaps you accidentally switch fast to the opposite way- another ace way to trip the thing.... so even with a bowthruster you'll still need to be able to manage the boat without it. Oh and also, even with a bow thruster, when you REALY need it well heh of course it isn't quite up to the job cos the next size up was almost twice as much, you know, yes really, and so most standard-design bowthrusters are a bit meh, try it without first.

Here's a better idea. Go find a boat rental place like sunsail with lots of boats, probly not in UK but whatever. Watch as one of their bods re-parks a few boats as they often do... and ask if he will show YOU how to do the same with your own boat. I suppose I mean ... do that anyway, praps?

 

[rivonia]

I'd save yer money really. I've had boats with bow thrusters, and quite nice.

BUT if you really really need the bow thruster well... be aware that they do fail, and often have a sacrificial drive pin to ensure that when the motor tries to drive a crusty prop... it'll just break the drive pin, and the bowthruster motor and prop both survive and only need a new drive olin, hurrah, 50pence ..... but meanwhile you're at the helm pressing that button and it's doing that high screaming noise of unloaded lecy motor AGAIN ... or perhaps you accidentally switch fast to the opposite way- another ace way to trip the thing.... so even with a bowthruster you'll still need to be able to manage the boat without it. Oh and also, even with a bow thruster, when you REALY need it well heh of course it isn't quite up to the job cos the next size up was almost twice as much, you know, yes really, and so most standard-design bowthrusters are a bit meh, try it without first.

Here's a better idea. Go find a boat rental place like sunsail with lots of boats, probly not in UK but whatever. Watch as one of their bods re-parks a few boats as they often do... and ask if he will show YOU how to do the same with your own boat. I suppose I mean ... do that anyway, praps?

This is probably the very best advice you will get.

 

[simonjames]

We have a bow thruster and do use it from time to time however, I think in the western Med once your in the berth between 2 boats you are pretty tight in so not going to move much, and as said earlier they can always fail without warning. We tend to use ours if the lazy lines are a long way out and it's a tight turn out of the berth, to keep the prop (quick blast then neutral)from spinning, but other than that not very much at all. So as stated earlier nice to have but not necessary.