Side shifter, external Bow thruster

DAKA

DAKA

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I saw one of these been fitted (DIY) at the weekend.

It seems a good idea.
low cost
easy to fit as there isnt any hole to drill
no leaks under the water line
prop is out of the water when on the plane.
When in use it is about 2 ft further forward than a traditional thruster, so it should work better.
http://sideshift.com/shop/category.php?id_category=2




Interested to hear what the forum thinks, will it enhance the value of a boat ?
 
I have never ever seen such a useless piece of kit demonstrated in such an utterly incompetent video. All the waffle about the unit being out of the water on the plane is true, but utterly ignores incidental waves hitting the bow at speed, or physical damage from fenders, pontoons, submerged buoys, et all.

I'd run a mile from any mobo with that excrescence fitted to the sharp end.
 
You make a good argument.

It looked good in the brochure , it can be fitted while the boat is in the water too.

It shouldnt over heat like traditional ones as it is submerged in water but I suspect that could be storing problems.

I'll report back at the end of next year after it has had a seasons use.
 
Funny enough saw one for the first time today in Conwy marina.
Looked 'wrong' somehow.
At first glance I thought the boat was still on it's trailer!
 
I saw one on a small-ish SeaRay (240DA or the like) when we stayed in Yarmouth over the summer, it just looked wrong! Especially when i have seen SeaRays as small as the 225WE (Weekender) fitter with a proper bow thruster.

The boat was small enough to have been stored on a trailer but i doubt you would get the boat onto the trailer without damaging the truster.

Not for me thanks, really internal proper job or not at all.
 
Well i can say the following from experience.

It may not look pretty out there in front but it sure does exactly what it say on the tin. I wanted something to help me who was at the time a novice with a single stern driver 30' cruiser at docking as i had not mastered it too well over my 1st season back in 2005 on the water. Never could get the knack and decided i needed an aid in that department.

I imported mine from the supplier in canada , nice lads to talk to and good explanation on how to fit it DIY. It arrived within 3 days of order by UPS, and i got to fit it to a Bayliner 285 myself within 3-4 hours while i had the boat on a trailer. By the way you do have to drill 2 holes but about 12" above the waterline to secure the equipment to the bow. I had no issues launching or recovering boat to trailer each season and never damaged the prop. Worked without incident from time of fitting to when i sold the boat in 2008.

By chance i met the new owners of my 285 again this summer on Lough Derg out cruising one weekend and it was the bow thruster that gave away the identity of my old boat as i suspect there are not to many fitted to a bayliner here in ireland. Present owner is delighted with this piece of kit and has worked without incident in his ownership.

I would fit one again to a boat of 30',

Don't knock what you have not tried;)
 
I am appalled! On the plane with fenders overboard!
Price is appealling enough to overcome the strange appearance and it sounds very quiet and looks effective.
If it is strong enough to withstand heavy knocks then I think it will take off despite the previous criticisms.
 
PCUK said:
I am appalled! On the plane with fenders overboard!
Price is appealling enough to overcome the strange appearance and it sounds very quiet and looks effective.
If it is strong enough to withstand heavy knocks then I think it will take off despite the previous criticisms.
Click to expand...

I agree, especially about the fenders!!

Here's another take on an external bow thruster: Click
 
Terrible video. Takes 10 mins, but there is only 30seconds of information in it, and they just repeat it over and over. And shockingly untidy boat. Urgh!
 
jfm said:
Terrible video. Takes 10 mins, but there is only 30seconds of information in it, and they just repeat it over and over. And shockingly untidy boat. Urgh!
Click to expand...

I gave up after 3 minuies of watching a boat going fast with its fenders out. Is it meant to be a promotional video? If so it's dreadful!!
 
I agree with those forum participants who could not understand what the hell was being promoted, probably the worst promotional video I have ever seen, and in any case would you want an egg whisk attached to the front of your pride and joy?
 
I think that the 'benefit' of being out of the water when on the plane is a red herring.
Who would want to go on the plane and make it visible?

Is there a 'prop bag' accessory available?
 
regarding the complaints about the promo video, I just did a quick search on utube.

I saw my mate fitting a new one to his boat, we got talking and he showed me the brochure which was very well laid out.
I left him with the brochure and searched on the internet which appears very sparse.




The product would be ideal to complement the vetus range and would sell well IMHO.

Now if you really want exciting promo videos get a load of this ;)


 
Tee hee Daka. I noticed the Daka name when buying those things. BTW, anyone thinking of buying a seadoo thingy like that, take care. They last one season then totally die. I've had 10 of them, tcm has had a few, and you always have to chuck em out after a season as they just pack up. 100%, without fail; at least, out of a sample of 14 none has lasted more than a season. And they are not user dismantle-able

For new boat I've bought a couple of www.bladefish.net which i hope last longer. They're much easier to store anyway.
 
I bought a Chinese copy of the seadoo, £49 off ebay brand new, 24v, as soon as I got it I added a third O ring which appears to have kept it water tight (completed two seasons so far).............but I dont expect mine gets the same use as yours.
It manages to pull my daughter quickly but my 12 stone slows it down, I have to dive for speed, the deeper I go the faster it gets (prop walk effect) , the only problems I have found is remembering I need to surface for air , several times I have got carried away and had to surface quickly from 5m .

And the other issue is charging while at anchor, my genny is also a Chinese copy :eek:

I agree storage and lugging the things round beach tracks is an issue, keen to hear how your new ones last charge wise.
 
I would love to see a boat with one fitted come and try the Menai Strait on a spring tide.

I am certain the two tons of seaweed caught up in the device would slow it down a tad.
 
I bought a Bayliner 285 last year with a Sideshift on the front. Launched the boat last week, first proper trip - no more bow thruster. My boat is now on a trailer awaiting the insurance surveyor. On the phone he said he would be much happier if I replaced it with a through hull one.
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