Great Debate

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StewartC

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Bow thrusters. Do good skippers really need them? That's the question posed in this month's MBM.

Register your vote and let's hear your comments. As always, the results will be printed in an upcoming issue of MBM.
 
I voted for a yes altough personally I really use it to a minimum

it also depends what size of boat?
For e.g. on a 12 mtr+ stern drive powered boat a bow thrust is very helpful

with shafts powered boat I think it is really needed to have a better control on flybridge boats
for opens with shafts most of the times it is useless in sub 15 mtr motor boats
 
Very much depends on the type of boat in my opinion:

18ft Bayliner - Definitely not.

30ft+ -I've seen skippers without them that crash into all manner of things; other boats, pontoons, buoys - even if there isn't a good breeze blowing!

I know I would certainly want one with a cruiser, especially with Med wind.
 
The problem I have with bowthrusters is just when you really need them they become useless. Single or twin engine can be tuned on the spot with outdrives in mild conditions (up to F3). Twins still in a F4 are easy to spin. Over a F5 then a thruster should be useful, but since the have to be mounted far forward, they are often the smalles diameter and therefor in a F5, just when you need it, they become useless as they don't have the power to act against the wind.

A nice get out of jail free card, but a good skipper really doesn't NEED one - even if they use it when it is there.
 
I voted yes as a broad answer to a broad question.

I didn't have one on stern drive 28ft sportscruiser and managed, because I had to I spoze.

I did fit one to 39ft sportscruiser and found it very useful, especially when backing into a berth to keep bow up wind that lil bit.

50ft flybridge came with one fitted and sternthruster too. Don't need em as such but very handy all the same for that last lil adjustment. They are not much use when you really need em, ie F4 pushing the boat onto the pontoon.

I have recently bought the remote control for the thrusters, more as a gadget than anything else. It's great when backing into a very tight fuel dock with the tide. Just let the current run the boat in while adjusting the angle from the cockpit.
 
Ok, it seems we need to narrow this down. Since both Great Debate protagonists had 35ft-40ft monohulled motorboats, we'll use that as a guide (& broaden it a bit).

Anything under 50ft and over 20ft regardless of hull type (as long as there's only one).

So for whatever size boat you have within this range, do you feel like you're a lesser skipper for your use of a bow thruster? Or are bow thrusters an essential part of safe manouevring? Or maybe you don't have a bow thruster and feel you don't need one as you are capable of shifting your boat around with the throttles and rudders alone.

Hope all this makes sense.
 
Twin engine, then I'd say no need for a bowthruster. Single engine, then I'd say that you probably would need one in modern, pack'em tight marinas.

Rick
 
[ QUOTE ]
Twin engine, then I'd say no need for a bowthruster

[/ QUOTE ] Bit of a sweeping statement IMHO. The good ship Pheran is twin-engined but at 25 tonnes things happen fairly slowly when manoevering on the engines. Thrusters not only speed things up but as a result, add an important measure of safety.
 
I would say the word 'need' is a bit strong.
My opinion is that if your skill is high enough then you can cope without, regardless of engine configuration.
If you want an easier time of things or you dont class yourself as an A grade skipper then on some boats it may reduce 'sweating' considerably when mooring.

IMO its not a need.. Just a very nice to have luxuary on some boats..

Nik
 
I suspect that those who rubbish thrusters a) have probably never used them and b) dismissed disc brakes for cars as an unnecessary gimmick 'cos they were such great drivers!
 
I take my hat off to you. I admit, I'm the first to reach for the bow thruster when things get tricky. Twin engined or not, it makes life easier. But then again, I'd be nowhere near as good a skipper as most, if not all, on here.
 
Don't mistake me for hlb, I'm not against bowthrusters and don't think anyone who uses one is a bad skipper at all! Had one on my F43 and both bow & stern thrusters on the Elling. I found that I didn't need it on the F43, as its as easy to spring the stern off and back out of places. Didn't touch the bowthruster during my YM despite F6 winds on the prep days.

Different case on the single engined Elling where it is very useful because of the significant propwalk when going astern.

Rick
 
Single engined boats - essential
Twin engined sterndrive - essential for those buttock clenching moments
Twin engined shaftdrive - nice to have especially for showing off in front of the crowds
IPS - not required but get one anyway
 
I would say - why not have one? It's there if you need it and not compulsory to use. But if you don't have one and there comes a time when having one would make getting into or out of a berth much easier or help avoiding a crunch.... it's a bit late.
 
Assuming finger berths are used stern too in 20knt+ winds and cross currents.

30ft+ single shaft .......................must have
35ft+ single leg..........................must have

45ft+ twin screw........................ must have

30ft+ FB twin outdrive..................must have

40ft+ sports cruiser twin outdrive...must have



Outdrives cause the bow to raise and become venerable to side winds.
Flybridge boats are more venerable to side winds.
 
I wasn't going to comment as my experience is primarily with smaller craft, but as you've said from 20ft I will!!

My current boat is a fraction under 28ft, single engine on outdrive and gets blown about a fair bit, even more if I try to keep the covers up. I don't have a bow thruster and most of the time that doesn't bother me, however there has been the odd occasion where I've thought it could be handy!!

However, below this size I see no reason for one.

Do I need one? No not on the size of boat I have. Would I want one on something bigger? if single engine then absolutely without question, if twin, probably.. if nothing else I bet it would make it easier come resale time! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
 
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