Bow Thruster

[sealine]

Hi
thinking of having a bow thruster fitted to our boat, she is an S28. Not sure if the benifits would outdo the cost of having it fitted. Any help with mooring SWMBO can get must be a bonus. Any comments please.
thanks
John

 

[hlb]

More trouble than there worth. Do you realy need one on a 28ft boat?? What about a grappling hook. Much cheaper and more effective!! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

 

[Roy]

We have one on F33 and when windy in our marina, its very useful for combatting side winds as we only have 6" either side in our berth. Your S28 is getting on for 30 ft but you don't have the height of a flybridge boat. Really depends on your purse and the conditions you may encounter. Our last boat was a Maxum 2900 scr (30ft) on twin legs and we did not need one at all, but the old story I guess, is, you don't miss what you don't have perhaps??? If you do take the HLB option, then you need to warn the people next to you not to repel boarders!!

 

[studgies]

John

WE never felt the need for one on our Sealine 285 but we are having one fitted to the Sealine 330 we are buying, as above this is more to do with the increased air draught but I have to say the shiny expensivenes of the new tub has also encouraged us!

 

[Its_Only_Money]

[ QUOTE ]
we only have 6" either side in our berth.

[/ QUOTE ]

So with 6" fenders both sides you must be a snug fit /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[hlb]

Hardly need bow thruster then. Just sort of wiggle yer way in!! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[Coupe]

Hi,
We had a sealine S28 with twin KAD32 engines. At first we felt that we needed bowthruster as I kept getting crossed up not knowing how much helm I was using until - ouch too late!
Anyway, sought advise and basically best was to practice in quiet area. Then move into more tidal area. Finally practice at home berth. Never needed bowthruster after that.
Moving on to present boat Sealine C39. Using my limited knowledge thought I would err on the side of safety and have one fitted. Very small % of new boat cost and good to have on options list when selling on. C39 catches more wind and thats for sure so at the start much use of thruster. As time goes by I am using it far less and now find I just give it a quick burst to keep it free of growth etc. Hope this helps. ps: S28 excellent boat. Mick.

 

[DavidJ]

A bow thruster will leapfrog you 2-3 years handling experience. Is that worth the money....I think so!
David

 

[Roy]

Yes - its a real squeeze....ok once the stern is 'in' past the finger end. We like our neighbours!! Just as well. As for the fenders, we make sure that they are staggered between the boats - the fenders that is, not us.

 

[jimh]

you didn't mention if you have one or two engines - I have single engine 30ft sports cruiser with bow thruster - best advice I received, was to have one fitted.

If twin - the 'ol sea-dogs will tell you shouldn't need one - 99% probably true, and to have one retro fitted, probably not worth the effort. -

 

[PhilF]

if you can afford it, go for it, you never know when it may come in handy, like all safety equipment, then hope you never need it. Dont blame SWMBO, its you who has to get her close enough to safely throw a rope

 

[SP2]

Coming into the lock for Chatham the other weekend we were due for a starboard side mooring but were switched at the eleventh hour to port side because "other boats couldn't make it onto that side due to wind and in flowing current". We did it the old fashioned way with engines and lines (no bow thruster) and once we were settled I saw that the boat that had nicked our space on the starboard side was twin engine with thruster.

See many people cocking-up their mooring with a thruster!

 

[KevB]

Ignore all the comments about should be able to handle your boat without one. It's like having power steering on your car, once you've had it you wouldn't be without it.

They make every part of close quarter manoeuvring easier, whether is coming along side a pontoon with the wind blowing you off, leaving a pontoon with the wind blowing you on, bringing your bow round to line up nicely for your mooring. Yes all the above can be done without a bow thruster but much easier, less stressful and safer to do it with one. You may not need to use it for most of your manoeuvres but it's nice to have when it makes life easier. Well worth the money.

Can't understand why some people think you're a less capable 'skipper' for having one. If there is an easy way or a less easy way, with the end result the same, I'll take the easy way please.

I assume some prefer starting their car with a crank handle rather than being a whimp and using the ignition keys......

 

[Vagabond]

KevB

"Can't understand why some people think you're a less capable 'skipper' for having one. "

I don't remember you ever being a capable skipper!

Bow thrusters are for poofs if you you have 2 engines.
(don't all hit me at once!)

 

[mjf]

I reckon they work ok up to F3/4 when you do'nt really need em.

Handy for keeping the bow straightish when mooring stern too.

Above that wind speed they are not powerful enough to hold the bow on production boats.

My advice is get the biggest you can in the space.

 

[hlb]

Ah. A man after my own heart. Trouble with bow thrusters, they teach folk to do things arse about face. So only any good if you dont need them. Then cors the only time you could need them is in strong wind, when they are usless anyway. We've got one on the barge, but darnt use it else it burns all the wires out and is about as much good as a chocalate fire guard shifting 18 tons.