Is a bow thruster worth having?

[grumpy_o_g]

OK, let's turn the question round. Assuming you can afford it and don't mind a hole being drilled in the front of your boat, why wouldn't you have one? What are the downsides?

 

[Searush]

OK, let's turn the question round. Assuming you can afford it and don't mind a hole being drilled in the front of your boat, why wouldn't you have one? What are the downsides?

Weight in a bad place.
Power consumption - requires more charging & bigger batteries
More electrical junk I don't need
Risk of fire.
More usefull things to spend money on

But that's in a small & low tech raggie.

 

[AndieMac]

Weight in a bad place.
Power consumption - requires more charging & bigger batteries
More electrical junk I don't need
Risk of fire.
More usefull things to spend money on

But that's in a small & low tech raggie.

You could nearly say the same for an anchor winch

 

[CX54WEK]

Sounds like the car drivers who argued they didn't need disc brakes. 'Oh no, I'm a perfect driver and always look so far ahead that I can always stop with the crappy old drum brakes on my car'. As has been said above, a BT or ST is just a tool, not a religion. There isn't a boat or helmsman afloat that couldn't derive some benefit from using one, more or less so depending on the circumstances. But then there are so many who think their boat handling can't be improved, no matter what the means................

People managed quite well for many years with drum brakes, perfectly happily without crashing each and every time they ventured out. Our MK1 Fiesta had drums all round and never caused a problem. Yes technology moves on over the years but it doesnt mean that all moves are a step in the right direction.

Bow thrusters are another example in case. We often see people driving down river and if their boat drifts of course (on a straight) they will use the bow thruster. What is wrong with the throttles/steering wheel? Of course there are those who benefit greatly from Bow thursters, the more aged and less able bodied for example, but in others they do have a habit of promoting laziness.

 

[BGW]

I am on my second twin screw cruiser. - The first was a Seamaster 30 and I cannot remember ever being in a position where I needed a bow thruster - even when single handed.
My current boat - a Broom Crown - is a lot more difficult to moor single handed if there is any wind.
It has a very high freeboard, lots of windage, and while I can put the back of the boat pretty much anywhere, once the wind catches the bow I cannot do much without the stern going in the opposite direction, and in close quarters maneuvering that's not always possible.
It took two years of consideration before I finally took the plunge, but I have found it a very useful aid.
Whilst I try not to use it unless I really need to, it has given me more confidence when mooring single handed in windy conditions.
I did specify an over sized model though - so I have plenty of power when it's really needed.
At the end of the day it really doesn't matter what other people think - You will always get so many arguments on both sides for this subject.
If you want one, get one. Try to only use it when neccessary. Enjoy your boating.
I do.

 

[rafiki_]

While Rafiki is twin sterndrives, we find the 'thruster invaluable when it is breezy when mooring or locking up. SWMBO is not the most agile around Rafiki's narrow side decks, and she prefers me to do the driving in tight places, and I can't drive and manage fenders/warps at the same time. Arms not long enough.

As previously stated, in calm conditions, the 'thruster remains dormant, but it is really helpful when we need it!!

 

[Searush]

You could nearly say the same for an anchor winch

Yes if it was electric. Mine is manual, I'm happy to say - and is seldom required as it's generally quicker & simpler by hand anyway. I wouldn't have fitted one if it wasn't already equipped. I certainly wouldn't contemplate an electric one!

 

[blueglass]

We dont have a bow thruster on NC (25fter single on stern drive) and can only think of a handful of times in the last few years where it may have come in handy. Judging by the fact that both us and the boat have survived then no they are not essential pieces of equipment.
.

Didn't say they were essential - just useful. with respect - you have never had one so can't appreciate the benefits. I agree however that a 25 footer doesn't really need one anyway.
You might change your tune if you ever try on a bigger boat on a windy day between a rock and a hard place..

 

[blueglass]

Yes if it was electric. Mine is manual, I'm happy to say - and is seldom required as it's generally quicker & simpler by hand anyway. I wouldn't have fitted one if it wasn't already equipped. I certainly wouldn't contemplate an electric one!

you would if you had a 30kg anchor

 

[neale]

Didn't say they were essential - just useful. with respect - you have never had one so can't appreciate the benefits. I agree however that a 25 footer doesn't really need one anyway.
You might change your tune if you ever try on a bigger boat on a windy day between a rock and a hard place..

I had one fitted to a 25 ft single outdrive boat and it absolutly transformed the boat in terms of ease of handling. I'd had the boat for years without one so knew how to drive it. It just made things so much easier.

I now have a twin engined 30 footer without a thruster, and would say the smaller boat required the thruster more than the bigger boat because of the single engine.

Would I fit one to the new boat? Without doubt, yes!

 

[Searush]

While Rafiki is twin sterndrives, we find the 'thruster invaluable when it is breezy when mooring or locking up. SWMBO is not the most agile around Rafiki's narrow side decks, and she prefers me to do the driving in tight places, and I can't drive and manage fenders/warps at the same time. Arms not long enough.

As previously stated, in calm conditions, the 'thruster remains dormant, but it is really helpful when we need it!!

Not a dig, just curious. I set my fenders up before entering a berth. I use a range of different sizes, including a couple of very large ones (36" ball) at either end & 2-3 cyclindrical ones amidships. I don't need to move these during the manouvre as the cover they give is pretty comprehensive. I also set up a bow warp & stern warp & bring them together to the cockpit so I can step ashore with both coils in one hand (I often need the other hand to hold on to something so I don't fall in) Consequently berthing solo is a lot simpler. SWMBO concentrates on putting the kettle on & tidying up below if we have been thro rough weather.

Sure it means being quick & sure if there is much current or wind, but once I am ashore with both lines it isn't rocket science to tie one off quickly then do the other one properly before returning to the temporarily secured one & set it up properly. This works to the point where tourist "helpers" ashore can be more problem than help!

In efffect, I agree you can't berth & sort warps & fenders all at the same time, but you can do them all, if you do them one at a time.

 

[Searush]

you would if you had a 30kg anchor

True enough.
That is one reason why I will probably never get a bigger boat. My next move - if I ever make one will probably be to downsize. But TBH, I don't forsee changing SR at all at present. I keep browsing, but have not yet found anything that would suit me better.

 

[CX54WEK]

Didn't say they were essential - just useful. with respect - you have never had one so can't appreciate the benefits. I agree however that a 25 footer doesn't really need one anyway.
You might change your tune if you ever try on a bigger boat on a windy day between a rock and a hard place..

No but i can appreciate their down sides, So we wont be getting one.

It is very much overkill to fit a bow thruster to a 25fter, you are never far enough away from the bow to lose control of it. Our next boat will almost certainly be a twin engined 30fter, having driven a couple already with no bow thruster, it wouldnt be a deal breaker if the boat we eventually found had no bow thruster.

For the moment though we will stick with what we have. Far too many cruising grounds to explore from our current location that a bigger boat simply cant do.

 

[blueglass]

No but i can appreciate their down sides, So we wont be getting one.

so what do you consider are the downsides?
those I can see are;
COST. can't argue with that - they aren't cheap, but if it saves you just once from an expensive GRP grinding collision it will pay for itself.
BATTERY DRAIN. - it won't drain your battery if you aren't using it and if you are using -its because you need it. You will only use it with engine(s) running anyway so not really an issue
IMAGE LOSS. You will be heard "cheating" as someone above said. that's a matter for personal pride - it should not bother anybody with common sense.
OVER RELIANCE. so don't over rely on it - only use it when you need it.

What else?

 

[CX54WEK]

so what do you consider are the downsides?
those I can see are;
COST. can't argue with that - they aren't cheap, but if it saves you just once from an expensive GRP grinding collision it will pay for itself.
BATTERY DRAIN. - it won't drain your battery if you aren't using it and if you are using -its because you need it. You will only use it with engine(s) running anyway so not really an issue
IMAGE LOSS. You will be heard "cheating" as someone above said. that's a matter for personal pride - it should not bother anybody with common sense.
OVER RELIANCE. so don't over rely on it - only use it when you need it.

What else?

We do our own GRP repairs so it would never pay for itself.

Downsides:

Cost
Extra battery charging
Loss of storage space (which on a 25ft boat is at a premium anyway)
Reliability
Extra maintenance

 

[pheran]

No but i can appreciate their down sides, So we wont be getting one.

I would guess from some of your comments that you are a relatively inexperienced mobo'er? (this is not said in any judgemental way and doesn't make you a bad person )

For example

Bow thrusters are another example in case. We often see people driving down river and if their boat drifts of course (on a straight) they will use the bow thruster. What is wrong with the throttles/steering wheel?

Errr...are you sure about this? You do appreciate that thrusters, especially the underpowered models that seem to be fitted to so many boats, are almost totally ineffective if the boat is moving forward at any appreciable speed, don't you?

And

Of course there are those who benefit greatly from Bow thursters, the more aged and less able bodied for example, but in others they do have a habit of promoting laziness.

What a very strange observation! Never thought of promoting a BT as some sort of disability aid. Would you also like me to display my Blue Badge? And I'm sure that those who use their thrusters to manoeuvre their boats in the safest and most effective manner will be less than pleased to be labelled as idle lardarses.

No but i can appreciate their down sides, So we wont be getting one.

It is very much overkill to fit a bow thruster to a 25fter, you are never far enough away from the bow to lose control of it.

What's distance from the bow got to do with things? I'm sure I could have got to the bow of my previous 49 ft mobo, all on one level, in half the time it would take you to scramble out of the cockpit and inch your way along the narrow ledges that pass for side decks on a typical plastic 25 footer!

A number of people on here who have had thrusters even on smaller boats, and experience of with and without, have commented on the improved handling a 'grinder' provides. My final advice is don't knock it until you, personally, have tried it.

 

[Gwylan]

My pride and joy is coming to the end of an extensive re-engining and will be back in the water very soon.

The conversation about fitting a bow thruster came up - something that up until now I have not really considered.

Is it a worthwhile item to fit?

Get a sound system installed that plays 'bow thruster' like sounds and impress people that way.

 

[U4]

For what its worth I have one fitted to my twin engine 30 footer and find it very useful.

It just makes things simpler and adds an extra layer of security / saftey......

I dont get why some people have such a problem with them - very strange.

I use mine with pride

 

[Assassin]

I have one fitted, and do not care what people think, mine is hydraulic though, and very quiet compared to the electric versions and has proven its worth on several occasions.

It would appear that the anti thruster brigade are struggling to find downsides to having them.

 

[SailBobSquarePants]

My pride and joy is coming to the end of an extensive re-engining and will be back in the water very soon.

The conversation about fitting a bow thruster came up - something that up until now I have not really considered.

Is it a worthwhile item to fit?

I put one on my 46 year old heavy, long keeler (Nicholson 32), and it has transformed our enjoyment of the boat in any civilized places. Whereas once my gf actually wet herself in fear of approaching a dock, we now just trot up easy as you please, and nudge our way in. I also highly advise the radio remote control on a lanyard, especially if you have a tiller rather than a wheel.

If you are near Portsmouth/Chichester, I highly recommend European Yacht Services for installation, if you want a Vetus...did an excellent job at less than I was quoted elsewhere.

EDIT: Just read Searushes' points, and frankly if my boat didn't have the turning circle of the Ark Royal, and the unpredictability in astern of the national lottery, perhaps I wouldn't have done so. But she WAS designed in the days pre-marinas, and unfortunately my gf rather likes marinas with shore power and nice restaurants. So in that regards...invaluable.