In praise of the Bow Thruster

[mcframe]

Bow thrusters are one of the best subjects for boating dischord.

Personally, I'd have one tomorrow.

I might have one, in future, on my future Southerly, for use when the keel is up, but never in use for more than 10 seconds at a time.

Of course, if I get more-than-enough numbers on the lottery for the Southerly, then I expect #1 son to use the rib to help turn the bow when required ;->

q.v. charter/mooring/thermos/deckchair/popcorn thread.

 

[exfinnsailor]

most folk who have them tend to forget that they actually have a rudder behind them Bsssssssssst Bsssssst Bssst

Yep we have TWO . No prop wash and a whole new set of problems . So we do have one . Not as noisy as some but it certainly helps in confined spaces

 

[Elessar]

Yes but I have conned single screw boats with one and used it.
As has already been said, it helps in close quarters situations e.g. in marinas so that the boat can be steered in astern and crabbed into a berth.

If they are so terrible and only used by people with bad boat handling skills, why does nearly every modern ship have one (answer - so they don't need to pay for tugs).

A lot of modern ships which run regularly into UK ports have masters with pilot exemption certificates and use thrusters, VPP and special rudders like Beckers to turn on the proverbial sixpence.

sounds like you think you're disagreeing with me but I think I'm agreeing with you!

 

[Elessar]

I might have one, in future, on my future Southerly, for use when the keel is up, but never in use for more than 10 seconds at a time.

Of course, if I get more-than-enough numbers on the lottery for the Southerly, then I expect #1 son to use the rib to help turn the bow when required ;->

q.v. charter/mooring/thermos/deckchair/popcorn thread.

Some southerlies have bow and stern thrusters. And what's wrong with that?

 

[Scotty_Tradewind]

I now have a boat with a bow thruster.
Being a heavy displacement long keeler it becomes a real luxury to know that within limits I can now 'steer' when going astern, I can do a 360 well within her length and get off my birth when the Westerlies are blowing me on.
My tunnel for the thruster does have ears on the for'ard edge and I'm not aware of speed loss... mind you, she's a bit of a tortoise compared to modern boats anyway.

 

[mcframe]

Some southerlies have bow and stern thrusters. And what's wrong with that?

Nothing at all, apart from:
(1) I've not got a Southerly.
(2) Using it for more than 10 seconds (in less than an F6) would seem to smack of bad seamanship.

I've never actually used a bow thruster on a yacht; my views are clouded by a power conversion course (err, more pontoon-bashing) where we were encouraged to get the Azimuth into the right place using the engines first, then maybe, a leetle bit of bow thruster, but using the stern thruster was right out.

I don't think shouting "Right, that's good enough. Make off and we'll grind her springs in on the primaries" works on a mobo ;->

 

[Slow_boat]

If my next boat has a long keel or high freeboard, a bow thruster is a must, according to swmbo, who will be parking the beast, after all.

BTW, any berthing where we get a line on without hitting anything is okay by me!

 

[FrancisRutter]

Francis

Like Scotty Tradewind, I have used mine for steering. Longkeeled Coaster 33. Calais, up a long narrow channel to have the mast lifted out prior to a summer on the canals. Channel too narow to turn so had to back out - in a long keeler. I found that I could steer perfectly well using the bow thruster, and very gald I was to have it.

 

[Teetime]

Some southerlies have bow and stern thrusters. And what's wrong with that?

I cannot see how one can handle a Southerly without a bow thruster. With it's twin rudders and central propellor my Southerly 38 will not steer at all unless moving forwards or backwards at some pace. Not easy to handle at close quarters particularly in a wind and certainly impossible with the keel retracted.Otherwise a fine boat.

 

[RupertW]

Our marina has about 150 sunsail boats in it - from 38 to 55 ft, all high freeboard , none with bowthrusters. Wind often vigorous and swirls from any direction. Under sunsail crew they park them in berths with different angles without mishap in the many dozen times I've watched them. Other charter company boats turn up with bowthrusters and fun ensues. It tells me you need to have a ship before you need a bowthruster but boat handling skills make good use of any technology

 

[haydude]

Bow thrusters are one of the best subjects for boating dischord.
Like Marmite, people tend to love 'em or hate 'em.

As always it is psycological, those who hate them are those who cannot afford one.

 

[skua]

Agree wth Teetime 100% !

 

[Greenheart]

I hope your joystick gives you joy...

I assume this thread was only introduced to inflame otherwise-calm types, like myself?

I remember in London in the 'nineties, seeing for the first time, woefully obese persons shunting along on electric scooters. Doubtless that was easier for them, than walking...so it grew in popularity, and so since has the incidence of the very immobility which required the solution.

Sloppy, insensitive, idle, stupid or drunken persons who would predictably cause expensive damage to vessels with long keels and single propellors, are now routinely able to dock easily and safely, using bow- and stern-thrusters. That sounds like progress. But it doesn't and never will make me wish that I had one, or regret that I've never needed one!

Yes, they are loud, for a reason: they're like the lousy car-parker, who blushes and grins and then shouts, "Sorry! I'm...not very good at this..." Be embarrassed, by your noise. Your grandparents would've coped, and they'd have sneered at your solutions to such lameness.

The mention of thrusters aboard larger, and commercial, craft, is irrelevant. Anything that increases the safety, scheduling and efficiency of commercial docking procedures, is good sense.

But amateurs, adopting similiar systems aboard any vessel owned and used for fun... that marginalises the sense behind their reasons for having a boat at all. Why didn't they just hire one, and pay somebody capable, to do what they plainly can't manage themselves?

Sorry; I've no respect for anyone unjustifiably reliant on thrusters. (In case I hadn't made my point quite clear... )

 

[Deleted member 36384]

As always it is psychological, those who hate them are those who cannot afford one.

That is such a sweeping statement and can not be true. A bow thruster is an aid to manoeuvring that makes it more convenient for the helmsman; a must have sailing accessory it is not.

I can easily afford to install a powerful bow thruster in my Rival, the latest in Radar and HD Plotter. I choose not to because none of these devices are required to enable me to enjoy my sailing. My Rival is a yacht that will not go astern in a straight line and has a high bow, easily blown by the wind. So her manoeuvrability would benefit from one. However, I can handle her in just about all situations.

Many yachtsman probably just dont see it as a necessary expense as they manage quite fine without it and some will despise the rattle disturbing their tranquility. I doubt that the psychology of envy plays much in the majority of those who express an opinion on the a bow thruster.

 

[Greenheart]

Amen, BlowingOldBoots!

I think I've just decided - for the foreseeable future, until persuaded by sound opposing reasoning, as far as I'm concerned, a bow-thruster will be a badge of any amateur skipper's doubtful competence.

But if you have such a badge, don't sweat...after all, it's only visible when you use it. I mean, if you genuinely can't dock without it...

 

[Nostrodamus]

Give me the biggest badge and I will quiet happily wear it.
I have got legs but I also use a car beause it makes life easier.

 

[Greenheart]

Bless your honest heart and humour.

Of course, those fatties with electric scooters, have legs too. They've just got out of the habit of using them. Reminds me of some marina-types. They may well have rudders, but they're far from adept at using them. Out of practice...

 

[AllanJ]

Can't help but come to the conclusion that those against bow thrusters are simply snobs who imagine that using the dreaded bowthruster is a mark of poor seamanship. Maybe so. But if it allows some who would not otherwise have the fun of a boat to do so then I am all for it - as long as they don't go around bumping into things they can use any and every aid they like as far as I am concerned.
How many 'sailors' in years gone by bemoaned the addition of an engine to a craft with sails? Be honest, you cannot manage, or even get out of port on many occassions, without the engine. I hate the sound of the damned things going by when I am trying to sleep. Just sailors who can't sail.
And what about all those fancy navaids? Surely not 'proper' sailing?
Get a life and let others get on with theirs.

 

[Deleted member 36384]

Bow Thruster Angst The New Anchor Debate

Can't help but come to the conclusion that those against bow thrusters are simply snobs who imagine that using the dreaded bowthruster is a mark of poor seamanship.....

That is not a reasonable conclusion to come to. Fellow sailors (at Largs by the way) have fitted theirs for convenience, others dont see the need and carry on without one. They are not snobs and dont express these type of opinions. In fact, they are more likely to have a laugh at an older, respected, competent sailor, who enjoys his toys: no more jumping onto pontoons for them.

Why do we have to be so polarised about stuff like this. Bow thruster angst; the new anchor debate?

 

[AllanJ]

That is not a reasonable conclusion to come to. Fellow sailors (at Largs by the way) have fitted theirs for convenience, others dont see the need and carry on without one. They are not snobs and dont express these type of opinions. In fact, they are more likely to have a laugh at an older, respected, competent sailor, who enjoys his toys: no more jumping onto pontoons for them.

Why do we have to be so polarised about stuff like this. Bow thruster angst; the new anchor debate?

Maybe I wasn't clear BOB, my remarks were directed at those AGAINST bowthrusters, not those who decide not to have them, but understand that others may prefer to have them.