Bow thrusters

arc1 said:
Has the patio ever dragged? If not, surely proof positive that a CQR is up to task and an end to anchor debates?!
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It has never dragged.

Nevertheless, I do take the seamanlike precaution of getting up once or twice during the night and glancing out of the lavatory window to reassure myself that the large tree in my back garden remains in transit with the railway footbridge in the distance.
 
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DipperToo said:
Add twin rudders with the prop virtually between the rudders and a bow thruster becomes very useful in confined close quarters at very slow speed as there is effectively no prop wash to assist. Also, using a mid ships spring on a pontoon will hold the boat to the pontoon but forget using slow throttle and the helm over to keep you parallel alongside. It simply doesn't work with twin rudders.
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Quite so. I managed for 17 years on a 40’ fin & skeg boat with no bow thruster and seldom got into difficulties and was probably a little dismissive about the need for one. I now have a 45’, lifting keel, twin rudder set- up and would hate to be without a bow thruster. I don’t think my boat- handling skills have changed much, it’s just horses for courses - not a statement of helm competence.
 
Tranona said:
How patronising . If you had bought your bow thruster I expect you would now be saying what a good decision it was.

Why do you seem to think that you are superior and others are not capable of making their own decisions on how to equip their boats?
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I agree .. the hair shirted ones are out in force on this thread...
 
I had one on my Jeanneau 45.2, because it was there when I bought the boat. It was certainly useful when I was new to sailing, particularly in getting into marina berths where it could help get the boat to turn in little more than its own length. As I became more experienced it was less and less used except getting into the most difficult berths. On one of my last trips the marina wanted me to go into a berth opposite the fuel dock. Normally easy enough except that a big motor yacht was alongside the dock leaving me to get into a berth only just wide enough for my boat, with slightly less than my boat length between the bows of the boat already there the high topsides of a very expensive "super yacht". No problem, except that when I switched the thruster on and gave it a trial button press before going in, nothing happened. I went in anyway going slowly astern and getting the stern between the bows of the two boats but at 45 degrees to the berth. With the stern well fendered and the engine in neutral I hooked my boathook against the toe rail of the boat on my starboard side and by pushing I was able to get the boat to straighten up a bit so that I could motor it back. The marina rib arrived to help me once it was all nicely secured astern. They did at least secure the bow line for me!
 
Personally I think they are great, again as long as you remember to deploy when you know you may need it. I have only used one once on a Dufour 390 on a charter last year and it certainly helped when coming into dock in marina, or just tweeking while waiting alongside on a spring. While we continue to plan for our own boat in the next couple of years, it is right up there on the wish list, but not a must have clearly.
 
roaringgirl said:
4 years living aboard and 40,000 miles.
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Fine - but that still does not mean that you should criticise rational people who are capable of making their own decisions as to what is appropriate in their circumstances/

I am not a young fit round the world sailor, but in my 8th decade and my sailing starts and finishes every time with safely getting my 6 tonnes of boat in and out of a tight berth on my own. I could not do that reliably every time without a bow thruster. If I did not have one fitted I could not go sailing in the way I want to. When you have owned a variety of boats for close on 50 years and sailed in a wide range of locations and conditions, you sort of get to know what is important to you and act accordingly.

So your lifestyle and experience is of absolutely no relevance to my choices (and those of many people contributing to this thread).
 
Tranona said:
Fine - but that still does not mean that you should criticise rational people who are capable of making their own decisions as to what is appropriate in their circumstances/

I am not a young fit round the world sailor, but in my 8th decade and my sailing starts and finishes every time with safely getting my 6 tonnes of boat in and out of a tight berth on my own. I could not do that reliably every time without a bow thruster. If I did not have one fitted I could not go sailing in the way I want to. When you have owned a variety of boats for close on 50 years and sailed in a wide range of locations and conditions, you sort of get to know what is important to you and act accordingly.

So your lifestyle and experience is of absolutely no relevance to my choices (and those of many people contributing to this thread).
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Who did I criticise?
 
Skysail said:
What size of boat really needs a bow thruster?

I have just seen a post elsewhere re the fitting of a thruster to a 33 ft boat, saying the size and high freeboard makes it necessary. I used to own this type, and while I had a few nasty moments when I was new to yachting, the thought of a thruster never entered my mind. It is in no way a high freeboard boat, and very predictable in astern. The post has several helpful replies based on experience with similar sized boats.

I must admit to fitting one to a new Jeanneau 43 DS, when my wife was the sole crew, and that certainly helped a few times, but in most situations the boat was very similar to the previous 33 ft type.

I can’t help feeling that a few days on a boat handling course would be a better investment than £5000 on a thruster? A YM course was a great help to me.
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You thought it useful to you. They thought it useful to them. Do you think they know better than you what is best for you? What earthly reason do you have for thinking you know better what is best for them?
 
They are fitting more bow thrusters to ever smaller hire boats on the broads.
Yes they are being used by the mostly incompetent/ inexperienced.

Now you hear then driving down the rivers steering by bow thruster...
 
roaringgirl said:
Who did I criticise?
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Post#8. You made a claim that is just your opinion that implied that just because you manage in your situation, others who make different choices have "false confidence" and fail to plan.

Exactly the opposite is the case. I planned the equipment on my boat, just like others to deal with the situations I expect so that I have confidence in my ability to dock the boat safely.
 
Horse for courses I think we should say.
If anyone experience fitting a side power or such like to a Dufour 360, please let me know. It will be...my boat, my choice.
 
As someone that owned and sailed what are lovingly described as MABs all of long to bullish keels all without a bow thruster should I ever buy another boat rest assured be it fin and skeg or even centreboard it will have a bow thruster and quite possibly a stern thruster. I say this with not a thread or scintilla of shame.
 
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