Merry Fisher 645 - Anyone Got A Bowthruster?

[Cbjroms]

I have mentioned in another thread that I am considering fitting a bowthruster to my MF645. But just been told by a dealer that a thruster cannot be fitted to a 645!

This is curious as I am sure that I have seen adverts with a spec that includes a thruster.

Can anyone shed any light on this for me?

 

[Bouba]

I have mentioned in another thread that I am considering fitting a bowthruster to my MF645. But just been told by a dealer that a thruster cannot be fitted to a 645!

This is curious as I am sure that I have seen adverts with a spec that includes a thruster.

Can anyone shed any light on this for me?

It just means that it's not on the options list, it was the same when I asked for one for my Barracuda. I'm sure any boatyard would fit one for you, if you're brave it's a DIY job. Have you explored the world of external bow and stern thrusters?

 

[Cbjroms]

Thanks Bouba,

The dealer from whom I bought the boat has told me that they would not want to fit a thruster to a MF645 as, in their view, there would be insufficient 'meat' between the tube and the keel of the boat. I value their opinion and feel the need to tread carefully.

Hence my search to see if any MF645 owner has had a thruster fitted.

 

[Bouba]

You don't need a lot

 

[salar]

Practice berthing and you won't need one! Its only a small light boat.

 

[Bouba]

Practice berthing and you won't need one! Its only a small light boat.

That's true to a point. I once had a Merry Fisher 585 with a 90hp on the back and (I'm not trying to show off) but I could put that boat anywhere. People dockside would compliment me. But my Barracuda was a different beast, the slightest breeze and it spun like a top. With practice you can mitigate the worst of it and although I never hit anything I never felt in control. It was one of the reasons I got rid of it. I now have a Swift Trawler with bow and stern thrusters and life is sweet.
But if this lack of 'meat' is a problem then I think the OP should get an external bow thruster, quickest and easiest to fit and no huge hole in the hull.

 

[QBhoy]

Surely you have no need for one with this boat ?
I'm sure you are no novice and know how to handle your boat, but the only tricky situation you would probably find with this is perhaps going alongside when the wind is blowing you off and the tendency for a shallow drafted hull to drift off ?
This being the case....a bit of commitment and momentum towards the jetty at a just less than 45o angle, then a kick in reverse with the steering towards the jetty at the last minute will bring her alongside nicely ?

 

[KINGFISHER 9]

Save your money and buy a long boathook!

 

[wipe_out]

I have a MF695 and from what I have been told the hull is near identical to the 645.. We have a factory fitted thruster installed.. Obviously this wasn't an option on the 645 but should fit just the same.. If you are anywhere near Bournemouth you are welcome to have a look..

 

[Cbjroms]

Thank you everyone for the responses, especially wipe_out for your kind offer. I have actually found an MF645 that has had a bowthruster fitted.

I agree with those who suggest that a thruster is not necessary on a boat of this size and was arguing this point with a couple of 'old salts' at the marina last week. The point that they made was that a thruster would make it easy to moor the boat on my own.

 

[darrenw]

Surely you have no need for one with this boat ?
I'm sure you are no novice and know how to handle your boat, but the only tricky situation you would probably find with this is perhaps going alongside when the wind is blowing you off and the tendency for a shallow drafted hull to drift off ?
This being the case....a bit of commitment and momentum towards the jetty at a just less than 45o angle, then a kick in reverse with the steering towards the jetty at the last minute will bring her alongside nicely ?

The trouble is, the 'only tricky situation' is all too common an ocurance in our climate and ratchets up the stress levels.

One day the technique you suggest will work just fine, but on another it just pivots the boat at the centre point, so as the stern tucks in the bow pops out. And with a single engine, there's no way to counter without a bowthruster (assuming no space behind to pull back into, nor someone up front to throw a spring onto a jetty cleat).

Boating is about enjoyment for us and we've not regretted for one moment gettng a bow thruster retro fitted to our Jeanneau 705. I don't need to use it all of the time, but knowing it's there delivers huge peace of mind, especially in tight situations like the lock at Port Solent where we're based.

It wasn't cheap (about £4K professionally fitted), but as we now use the boat more as we've greater confidence, man maths prove we've actually lowered our cost per usage !

 

[QBhoy]

Darren,

That's why I said about going in with enough commitment and momentum, so that the reverse thrust balances out the momentum and brings the boat in sideways in motion......
All that fancy stuff said, you are of course totally correct that it should all be about enjoyment. If a bow thruster helps keep the stress levels down for the skipper and crew.....who am I to argue against it...haha.

 

[Vronsky]

Hi Cbjroms,
Would you mind sharing how you proceeded with the bow thruster, iow: did you have one fitted ?

THANKS,
V.

Thank you everyone for the responses, especially wipe_out for your kind offer. I have actually found an MF645 that has had a bowthruster fitted.

I agree with those who suggest that a thruster is not necessary on a boat of this size and was arguing this point with a couple of 'old salts' at the marina last week. The point that they made was that a thruster would make it easy to moor the boat on my own.

 

[simonfraser]

If you fit it in a water tight forward compartment i would not be too concerend about the meat issue.

Depends how you moor your boat, if you regularly solo moor and possibly use a trailer too, fit a bow thruster and docking poles. Makes the whole process simple.

 

[QBhoy]

Surely you don’t need a bow thruster on a 22ft boat ? Think I’d rather spend the money on a few years worth of fuel and eBay boating gadgets

 

[bulwark bandit]

I have a Beneteau Antares 680 which I am sure shares the same hull and are almost identical boats. I understand that during windy conditions the boat can be a sod to get along side , but as said earlier with a bit more pace and commitment you can get there. £3k or £4k is a lot of money for a thruster you will use once or twice a year.

 

[Vronsky]

Thanks all, just trying to educate myself here a bit, no serious plan yet.
Biggest concern with adding a -yes, mighty handy- thruster would actually be that new huge hole in the hull:
that now fully closed hull shell is really great for my peace of mind...