Bowthruster Control Position

[Cbjroms]

Just having a bow thruster fitted and wondering whether to have the joystick fitted on the same side (of the wheel) as the throttle or on the other side?

Heard a couple of different views: Want to be able to operate throttle/joystick with same hand leaving other hand for the wheel. Or one hand on the joystick and the other on thr throttle.

What works best?

 

[Nigelpickin]

I'd say just in front of the lower arc of the throttle, easy to put your hand forward and flick with a finger.
Separate hands for power would mess with my brain, but then I can't walk and chew gum at the same time...

 

[Momac]

I don't find the need to operate throttle and thruster controls at the same moment.
On my flybridge helm the thruster joystick being near the throttles seems handy when reversing - for which I may be standing or seated an looking back over my left shoulder.



My lower helm thruster control is to the left of the wheel. I am not sure I have used the thruster from the lower helm but cant

In any case it's not a big deal as you become familiar with whatever arrangement is provided.

 

[Bouba]

I agree, if you want to use the throttle and truster at same time use two hands, else see about a proper joystick that combines everything electronically (if such a thing exists)

 

[pks1702]

Sometimes you need three hands

 

[Bouba]

Sometimes you need three hands

I recognize that good looking helm with the Destroyer wheel!

 

[simonfraser]

would it not make more sense to have the bow thruster control on the engine control lever, in place of the trim tabs ?

 

[pks1702]

I recognize that good looking helm with the Destroyer wheel!

With regard to the OPs original question keep both in close proximity IMHO - one hand for the wheel, one for the thrusters. With ours on the Swift Trawler I became accustomes to operating the wheel with my right hand and thrusters with left. If I put my palm between then I could operate noth at the same time

 

[cowpat]

The best solution so that you can have someone on the helm and you on the foredeck ready to take lines etc and giving quiet orders to the helm, is a remote control RADIO hand held relay. These are sold for winches. You can fit for about £16. Simply wire it in before your solenoids. You can get 12v or24v ones. I have one on a 16 ton yacht. can give details. Chris.

 

[aquatom]

It all depends if we are talking outdrives, single shaft or twin shafts? If twin shafts then there is no need to use the wheel when manovering if either of the others then you will need to use the wheel.

 

[ChrisJBSC]

Modern English Harbours suggests bow thrusters near the throttle and trim tabs. Seems to work very well...

 

[MapisM]

Heard a couple of different views: Want to be able to operate throttle/joystick with same hand leaving other hand for the wheel. Or one hand on the joystick and the other on thr throttle.

What works best?

On this point, I'm a bit puzzled by the fact that nobody asked which is your setup: single or twin screw)s), shaft(s) or outdrive(s)/OB(s).
In fact, the need to use also the wheel or not while maneuvering pretty much depends on that.

Anyway, I reckon that the ultimate answer is... whatever you find more convenient!
That's one advantage of retrofit: you don't need to stick to whatever the builder decided for you...

PS: fwiw, one thing I don't get is the connection with trim tabs - which obviously MUST be operated together with the throttle, no matter what. The thruster is for maneuvering, which is a completely different scenario.

 

[MapisM]

The best solution so that you can have someone on the helm and you on the foredeck ready to take lines etc and giving quiet orders to the helm, is a remote control RADIO hand held relay.

While I agree that a remote is very convenient, imho it's almost useless unless you can use it also to put the engine(s) in and out of gear - but that means a different order of magnitude, costwise.

 

[Momac]

It all depends if we are talking outdrives, single shaft or twin shafts? If twin shafts then there is no need to use the wheel when manoeuvering if either of the others then you will need to use the wheel.

It's not essential to use the wheel when manoeuvering with twin outdrives .

 

[rogerthebodger]

Just having a bow thruster fitted and wondering whether to have the joystick fitted on the same side (of the wheel) as the throttle or on the other side?

Heard a couple of different views: Want to be able to operate throttle/joystick with same hand leaving other hand for the wheel. Or one hand on the joystick and the other on thr throttle.

What works best?

I have my bow thruster controlled using the same type of deck buttons as is designed to an anchor windlass so I can steer using wheel, operate gear/throttle and control bow thruster with my foot.

I has a single screw boat so operating bow thruster at very low speeds in more important than with a twin screw boat.

 

[Bouba]

I have my bow thruster controlled using the same type of deck buttons as is designed to an anchor windlass so I can steer using wheel, operate gear/throttle and control bow thruster with my foot.

I has a single screw boat so operating bow thruster at very low speeds in more important than with a twin screw boat.

Well I would never have thought of that, but as a single engine man myself that is very clever, thinking outside the box