Removable/portable bow thruster

[Sequoiah1]

Did I see a thread on here a while back that showed a portable bow thruster?

Anyone know where to get one if there is such a thing?

 

[doug748]

Have a look at this lot:

https://www.sideshift.com/shop/category.php?id_category=2

I have heard of this stuff being fitted to a long keel yacht for the French canals. Holes did need to be made in the topsides.

 

[Sequoiah1]

Hi Thanks for that but i was sure the one I saw was a real heathrobinson looking thing with some kind of framework which I suspect clamped to the hull. Maybe it was an april fool...................................

 

[viago]

Hi Thanks for that but i was sure the one I saw was a real heathrobinson looking thing with some kind of framework which I suspect clamped to the hull. Maybe it was an april fool...................................

i have seen an an article of an outboard in a 360 degree rotating frame off the bow. worked like a dream apparently.

 

[Sequoiah1]

Theres a thought, I suspect the picture I saw might have been something like this. Any idea where the article was?

 

[cornell_b]

bow thrusters

not exactly what you were talking about, but there is a company that is using water jets, like a hot tub to move the boat, just small thruhulls foor the water to pass out, switchable p/s, and f/a...

 

[john_morris_uk]

I once saw a long keeled boat with a wooden frame on the bow on which was mounted an electric outboard remotely controlled as a bow thruster. They got it out of the locker and fitted it when approaching their marina berth and stowed it once they were at sea. It was a bit Heath Robinson, but seemed to work for them.

 

[Poignard]

How about stationing a crew member in the bow with an oar?

 

[Poignard]

I once saw a long keeled boat with a wooden frame on the bow on which was mounted an electric outboard remotely controlled as a bow thruster. They got it out of the locker and fitted it when approaching their marina berth and stowed it once they were at sea. It was a bit Heath Robinson, but seemed to work for them.

At the Beale Park boat show a couple of years ago there were several boats being demonstrated that were powered by re-chargeable drills. These ranged from paddle-wheelers to canoes.

It wouldn't be difficult for a handyman (sorry, person!) to make up a drill-powered outboard motor that could be temporarily clamped onto the toe-rail at the bow. The only problem I can see (apart from the inevitable derision of YBW Forum members ) would be controlling it remotely when single-handed. Perhaps some radio control system from a model shop could be adapted.

If you used a hammer drill the resulting noise would have the advantage of alerting nearby skippers of your arrival so they could rush up on deck with fenders.

 

[davidpbo]

How about stationing a crew member in the bow with an oar?

I was about to describe the stern thruster supplied with my boat:

An oar made out of a windsurfer mast cut in three sections and each smaller section pushed into the larger with a canoe paddle on the end, about 10Ft long extended as I recall. There is a rollock fitted as standard on the transom of my boat.

I did try to use it as stearing in reverse on my boat was not too easy but trying to control the combination of throttle , rudder and oar made things too exciting.

The blade of the paddle broke so id anyone has a spare canadian canoe type paddle with a broken shaft please email me, I would like to repair it.

 

[RobbieH]

Jet bowthrusters

not exactly what you were talking about, but there is a company that is using water jets, like a hot tub to move the boat, just small thruhulls foor the water to pass out, switchable p/s, and f/a...

I actually enquired about this solution for my Arpege (30 foot, 3500kg finkeeler) and the manufacturer came back and said they could not delivery a sufficiently powerful system to work for me. Not enough volume can be moved by the jets. So I think it is only good for small mobos or very small sailing craft.

A pity becaues it ticked the right boxes for me of not having to cut a huge hole in the hull (sailing performance) and being able to relocate the jet unit so keeping weight out of the bow (ditto).

I went out and bought a Kiwi-prop instead and that has greatly improved my boat handling over the lamentable performances with the fixed two blade I had before. Almost to the point where I don't covet some kind of non-intrusive bowthruster solution (almost....)