Bow Thruster

BlueJasper

BlueJasper

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Well, after 6 months of being shouted at when berthing the boat the wife has finally had enough. The only answer is a bow thruster, the wind is winning the battle, so its time to fight back. Any recommendations for someone to fit one on the South coast?
 
Not wanting to cast aspersions, but it might be better (and cheaper) for you and SWMBO to do an own boat course. A little more understanding on her part and a bit more technique on yours might solve the problem?

It worked for me!
 
Had one retro-fitted to boat several years ago (Vetus) and have been very pleased with this. Had tunnel professionally fitted by Baltic Wharf in Totnes (this bit not really a DIY job!) and fitted thruster/electrics with local battery myself. Also fitted a wireless portable control unit instead of hardwired joysticks - mainly due to running cables a nightmare on this boat but have found this very useful. Think I fitted a 55 Kgf unit (40' flybridge boat) - found this more than capable although I don't really use it very often! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
 
NOT fitting a bowthruster

Yep, agre with jezbanks about own boat tuition. You find a suitable bit of marina and prat about yourself, and get some help and advice to help things along. Even just a few hours will be good. You shoub able to moor up the boat without thinking "oh [--word removed--] oh [--word removed--] here we go again..."

The other idea is Silent Mooring. This means as it sounds - no talking. You aren't allowed to shout "Quick Qucik! " or "No, for crying out loud you stupid stupid..." or indeed say anything at all. The crew use hand signals to show how far something hard (like another boat) is from another boat. Five fingers means five metres, then four, three , two, and one.

The fact of the matter is that as helm/skipper on a smallish boat (under several hundred feet) you arepretty much entirely in charge and responsible for what the boat does. You can smash the boat if you like - and your crew, with fenders *might* be able to save it. Your fault if they can't, though.

Of course, if you do doink something in a boat with an audience - that isn't actually what they wanted to see: what they're *really* there to see is the skipper crew reaction to it all. Silent mooring means...perhaps that's what they wanted to do? Either way, it certainly reduces stress levels on board.

Nuther thing about mooring up is that its worth bearing in mind that you can pack it in, go away, think again, and have another go. Pilots of small planes do this all the time, no problem at all.

As for a bowthruster, i think you could afford a couple of bigger fenders, a day ort two of instruction on pontoon bashing AND a fair bit of gelcoat repairing in winter - and it would all still be cheaper than a bowthruster, which doesn't guarantee a problem-free mooring routine at all - it just looks as though it might.
 
A bow thruster is known in the trade as "a get out of jail free card". On the boat you have it is not the solution. It's your handling that is at fault not the boat, although the S29, because of it's stepped hull, is a bitch to reverse! And a bow thruster wont fix that!

As Jez has said, get a couple of days own boat tuition with you and SWMBO - it will be cheaper and of more benefit in the long run. Jez's new boat is bigger than the 29 and has not got a bow thruster and under normal circumstances does not need one. Although when the starboard engine stopped while med mooring in a Greek wind with only the port engine and no power steering and a good F5/6 on the side did make for interesting moments /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

I recently did some own boat tuition for another forumite who has a Bavaria 32 with a bow thruster - he used it all the time, now he hardly touches it!



Oh, and shouting at the wife is not the answer, that again is your fault not hers, lack of preparation on your part. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

Arrival on the berth should be such that nobody knowes you arrived and nobody knowes when you leave.
 
I had my bowthruster supplied and fitted by Rob Crowhurst 07849069164. He and his electrician Graham did a first class job at a competitive price. Can well recommend him.

Geoff.
Ps not related or have any commercial interest
 
Re: NOT fitting a bowthruster

With tcm on this one, shouldn't need a bow thruster on a 29' boat, specially if you have twin engines. I manage fine on my 32 footer with a single engine and no thruster, often single handed, not saying I get it right every time and quite often back off when it's going tits up and re-assess and try again. have never caused any damage to my or anyone elses boat. Never had lessons, just a bit of practise.

Just take your time, don't get flustered and decide well in advance exactly what you plan to do. An old saying comes to mind, if in doubt go about. tcm's silent mooring technique will work, spend a few hours practising, it will be time well spent. And make sure you swmbo knows what is expected of her before you even approach your berth, should really be the same each time.
 
not quite the same each time?

Agreed though i wouln't go entirely with it being the "same each time"

When mooring, best is to ensure you are driving/manoeuvering against the wind, not with the wind. Otherwise the speed of twatting the next door boat is boatspeed+wind, instead of boatspeed MINUS wind.

This usually means you have one of (at least two) distinct approaches to a particular berth.
 
Re: not quite the same each time?

Yep, you're right but he's still going to moor to the same cleat so swmbo should know this, that's what I mean by it being the same each time.

Anyways we all agree practise and maybe tuition are the key to easy and silent mooring, not a bowthruster.
 
Yet another idea for mooring

Go to the harbourmaster/marina manager and tell him that, really, yo and swmbo are a bit rubbish and novicey at this mooring up malarky. So could he perahps see his way to giving you an easier berth, hm?

Hardly anyone does this, cos they all want to appear macho ace boat drivers, but I do it all the time. After about six years of going into south coast ports and telling them that I had a "novice crew" one of the harbourmasters in Yarmouth made some sarcastic remark, but it definitely helps to say that you're rubbish, to get the easier berths, regardles of whether you are or aren't...
 
Re: Yet another idea for mooring

I'll go along with all this. Long underpants as well. My boat will go anywhere I tell it. Except back into finger pontoons, dependant on wind of course. So I dont do it. Also dont have a crew that can do acrobats or jump ten foot.

Mooring is always done the same way and silent. She stands at front with big loop of rope, I stear boat to cleat. If she misses a few times, I go out, then back and try again. Mostly, first or second time, boat is lassoo'd to cleat. Engine keep arse end in. Walk off and tie stern. No jumping, no shouting. Just silent mumbles, c*nt, [--word removed--], tw*t. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
I was that Bavaria 32 owner that Solitaire did a mighty fine job of training and there's no question that what people here have written is right. Own boat tuition is invaluable and bow thrusters are a get out of jail free card.

I can't comment on the suitability of a thruster on an S29, however for me, boating is all about being relaxed. Anxious moments in any situation shouldn't be a part of the day so if you feel that a bow thruster will take some of the pressure off you and can afford it, then fit one. If you're more relaxed when you approach a mooring manouvre, you're less likely to need a thruster anyway. I find it useful for other occasions such as in locks and also (and I know I'll be pilloried for this) when anchoring in tight spots when I dab it to bring to bow round to ensure the bow is pointing to the anchor as I set it. Yes it was me at NTC last Sunday morning who took 2 attempts to set his anchor so that it would hold! Or maybe I just need more training...
 
Well I do agree with what most of you are saying and for the majority of the time things are fine. However the berth I have is very tight with little room to manoeuvre in front of the finger because of a bank and no depth. If there is a cross wind from the North in this situation I am in trouble and 2 engines will not swing against a F4.

I know that the easy answer is move to another berth, but we do like the position we have. I have told the wife to stop shouting at me when berthing and she has. However, as she is a teacher asking her to do anything is always construed to be shouting. They just dont like being told what to do!

Given the quote I have had so far I think training may be the answer.
 
Well if two big green thingies wont swing the bow round. Theres a fat chance of a pewney bow thrutcher doing it.

Dont know if it's you. The boat, or where your trying to take it.

But some places are just not wise to go.

Hang on. Have we not had this conversation before??
 
Phil

She is a bitch in the wrong conditions...and i also should know /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Bow thruster does seem a bit of an expensive cure.
I am thinking of some own boat tuition as well. mainly for SWMBO /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

Did you get the canopy sorted in the end?
Before you ask me.......NO! Given up and may carry out my own cure..If I keep her.

Doug
 
ours done by Osmotech on the Hamble - www.osmotech.co.uk, superb bit of kit and nicely fitted.

I can't comment on your boat handling skills, but i've been driving boats since i was 7 and i still find it makes some things easier, particularly when its just my wife and baby on board. Its just a luxury thats nice to have, like satnav or power steering on your car.

Daniel.
 
[ QUOTE ]
(and I know I'll be pilloried for this) when anchoring in tight spots when I dab it to bring to bow round to ensure the bow is pointing to the anchor as I set it.

[/ QUOTE ]

What!!! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif



[ QUOTE ]
Yes it was me at NTC last Sunday morning who took 2 attempts to set his anchor so that it would hold! Or maybe I just need more training...

[/ QUOTE ]


David, did you put out enough chain? Usually the problem with anchor dragging. The chain is not lying properly so it pulls the anchor out.
 
[ QUOTE ]
If there is a cross wind from the North in this situation I am in trouble and 2 engines will not swing against a F4.



[/ QUOTE ]

The size of bow thruster you could put in an S29 is not big enough to have any affect in such wind conditions.
 
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