Do I need a Bow Thruster?

[hlb]

Remarkable. If someones wants to fit a bow thruster, there's always a lot who treat this almost as being "childish, for losers..." ...

Would you advocate car drivers get a stern thruster, so they can drive into a parking gap forwards, or would you suggest they back in?

Boats I've seen seem to be rear wheel steer. So the opposite applies.

If for whatever reason you do not want to follow this rule.

Both cars and boats need a thruster.

 

[boatmaster]

Would you advocate car drivers get a stern thruster, so they can drive into a parking gap forwards, or would you suggest they back in?

Boats I've seen seem to be rear wheel steer. So the opposite applies.

If for whatever reason you do not want to follow this rule.

Both cars and boats need a thruster.

No, cars have brakes, if you need a shunt you can brake, change to opp gear. when foot on brake car stays put. not like boat, no brakes and move around in wind & tide. bowthruster for boat acceptable, stern thruster in car - give up driving.

 

[Silent Lady]

From a RAGGIE

Best bit I ever fitted. If you do it as a DIY Project you can save a couple of thousand pounds. The wiring is simple. Just put another battery in at the front. Short leads to the thruster for max power. Battery to Battery charger so you don't have to run MEGA thick cables everywhere. Find someone local to install your tube and fit the Thruster. Supply your own thruster. I used a SIDEPOWER one.

Does it work. Brilliant. Just wish I had done it 3 years ago instead of all the problems of getting in and out of berths with twin rudders and single prop.

 

[Solitaire]

Dave did give us some useful tips when he skippered our sea trial on our previous S23 so I do feel this will give the best return on investment to start with and would be valuable even if we did have a thruster.

You will, read should, find the new boat much easier to handle than the 23! It is all about prepping and thinking ahead. There should be no need for SWMBO to be leaping anywhere as long as you can put the boat where it is easier for her to get a line ashore. And I would advocate that this is best done from the cockpit as I said earlier.

It is all well and good for those that can throw a line from the bow, and it is all an accepted part of the RYA courses. But if you want to be enjoying the boat without all the stress there are some very easy techniques that can be taught to both helm and crew working together.

I did a day with a couple last week and spent a lot of time just getting them to work together - the wife said he always shouts at me. I said then take control of the lines and fenders and do it your time - not his when you are about to come into land! By the end of the day, she was much happier with life and despite the fact the boat had a bow thruster he hardly used it.

I have sent you a pm.

 

[rule the waves]

@HLB

Funny you only seem to quote the first half of my respons....I agree with boatmaster: comparing cars to boats is way to easy. Try mooring up at force 5 @ 30-50° on the bow , alone. You'll be surprised what a little help can do for a boater....

 

[Seanick]

Teach you wife to skipper the boat, and you do the macho stuff with the ropes.
Marital harmony will commence.

 

[hlb]

Funny you only seem to quote the first half of my respons....I agree with boatmaster: comparing cars to boats is way to easy. Try mooring up at force 5 @ 30-50° on the bow , alone. You'll be surprised what a little help can do for a boater....

It matters not to me, whether folk have a BT or not. I've simply explained how, with a bit of forethought and planning, a bow thruster is hardly ever needed. But much depends on the boat and marina.

 

[DougH]

Not going to get into the alternative views about thrusters (I love them) but it should not be necessary for anyone to step onto the pontoon whilst mooring.

Stongly suggest you spend 2 days on a Close Handling Course with Mendez Marine.

They will even use your boat if you prefer to.

A well thought out plan of action in relation to all mooring approaches will devised and will give both of you complete confidence.