capnsensible
Well-Known Member
Is that all?
Bow thrusters
- Thread starter Skysail
- Start date
LittleSister
Well-Known Member
The numerous hire companies each have dozens of people arriving every weekend, few of who have any experience of boats. Their 'training process' is minimalist (to put it politely), presumably based on many years of experience of the lImited interest and capacity of most of their customers to take any of it in.
They have honed it down to the level where they can say to the powers that be they have given training, and the rate of damage to their and others' boats is manageable.
Motor-boating on the Broads has its own challenges (most notably keeping clear of incompetent and inconsiderate other boaters, especially those in hire boats), but overall is about as undemanding as it gets.
And boatyards are kept busy rescuing and repairing hire boats and their victims!
roaringgirl
Well-Known Member
Look again. It's a criticism of bow thrusters, not people.
dunedin
Well-Known Member
But the need or otherwise differs widely for a blue water cruiser vs a coastal sailor. The latter will be spending a hugely higher proportion of their time manoevering in small marinas and harbours.
roaringgirl
Well-Known Member
Try ancient Portuguese fishing harbours!
Tranona
Well-Known Member
That is a big difference. Bow thrusters are inanimate objects. They have no opinions and are incapable of independent action. They are only in action if commanded by a human being. So you are criticising the human for choosing to have one and use it.
The same applies to any piece of equipment on a boat. It only exists because a human has decided it it is useful so designs, makes and uses it.
You are simply displaying a prejudice against people who exercise that choice.
That is why I object to your "opinion". In just the same way as I no doubt would question your choice of equipment and methods of operation of your boat that would not be my choice.
Just to reinforce the point, your sailing environment, choice of boat and lifestyle as you describe it is so different from mine - the only common point is that we both have sailing boats. Mine, and my methods of operation are tailored for me, as are yours for you.
srm
Well-Known Member
Seen on the Caledonian Canal, near Inverness, some years ago:
Instructor in wheelhouse with about six punters crammed in, another half dozen or so outside on the deck in the rain. Boat was back at the canal side after about fifteen minutes or so.
A few days later one of their hire boats tried to beat me to the lock gates at Fort Augustus. Most satisfyingly it just bounced off us, not realising that ten tons of long keel boat was not going to try to stop quickly or get pushed sideways out of the way.
roaringgirl
Well-Known Member
By extension then, anyone who chooses to equip their boat differently to you, is also insulting you. It must be hard work maintaining all the requisite indignation!
I can't stand tea, but my wife drinks a few mugs a day. Somehow we've managed not to come to blows over the extrapolated insult for over 20 years.
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clyst
Well-Known Member
Iv sailed a 34ft yacht with a bow thruster for the last 13years and must confess that in prior years I use to roll my eyes ar small boats with Thrusters but now I wouldn't have a boat without one .......a bit like a car with power steering .... its not essential but makes for easier parking . How many drivers would buy a car ( if available) without it now .?
ylop
Well-Known Member
It would explain a lot about some of the parking in the marina car park!
pmagowan
Well-Known Member
I suppose there is the potential for anyone with a labour-saving device to become dependent and to lose the skills that said device replaces. Eg when you get a chart plotter perhaps you spend less time with a ruler and compass plotting triangles on your paper chart. However, almost everything we do aboard has now become easier and safer due to modern technology for the vast majority of us. I have never used a bow thruster and the noise in close quarters is often jarring but then screaming at the other half as the bow drifts towards another expensive bit of plastic tends to raise awareness also. Each to their own, I certainly would not turn up my nose on a boat for having one and perhaps if I had a modern enough boat to have one I would never go back.