Bow/stern thrusters

S

susanandlance

Well-Known Member
Feb 10, 2011
2,865
Florida
Boat Info
2007 Sea Ray 36 Sedan Bridge
Engines
8.1 mercruisers
Hey Guys, Any of you had bow and or stern thruster installed and what kind of price for complete package? I found the ONLY 36 Sedan Bridge with no thrusters, gas engines, does it really need them? Thanks!!
 
I installed a bow thruster on my 380 and I never looked back. I can dock it without just about every time, but there have been a few times when the the right wind gust takes the boat where it shouldn’t and I just love having that backup. It’s just another tool available. Mine was around 6K installed and worth every penny.
 
Lance,

Depends upon your boat, the ambient winds, your experience and your ability to handle the boat in changing conditions.

I've been running 40' to 60' boats in coastal waters for about 30 years, so I have some experience in variable wind/tide conditions. My own boat is a 450DA without a bow thruster and I have never considered adding one, but the 450DA is an unusual design for Sea Ray.....the center to center distance between shafts/props is unusually large and makes the boat a dream to operate in tight spots.

Would I automatically add a thruster to a new to me boat? No, I wouldn't consider spending the $15-$25K for a new thruster on a bot that is about 50% deprecated until I proved to myself that not having a thruster was limiting my ability to enjoy the boat.

Also, I asked this on another thread but perhaps you didn't see it..........have you decided where you are going to keep the new boat?



Frank
 
St Johns River Frank, around Astor, Fl. As usually Frank, your knowledge is greatly appreciated!! Thankyou!!
 
I agree with Frank with one addition...If you find you're having difficulty backing into a slip I'd consider a bow thruster. But keep in mind what he said about a boat that's already heavily depreciated.

I put a bow thruster on my boat when I bought it 9 years ago. We live in a windy area and I knew I'd be backing into the slip. It's nice to have the thruster when the winds kick up.

With twin engines I wouldn't even think about a stern thruster. It'll amaze you how easy it is to move the stern one way or the other just by using the shifters.

I'd suggest if you find a boat without a thruster, use it for a season then decide if you need it or not.
 
I have noticed that the wind will push a DB around quite a bit. That said, you learn to compensate for it. I have a bow thruster, but rarely turn it on. When I do, it is because the wind is pushing me around too much.

Bennett
 
Our boat came with a bow thruster and I do like having it. But when the battery went flat I spent a season without the BT being available and it is amazing what those big diesels can do. However I still did go out and purchase a new battery (and a dedicated charger) before the next season.
 
fwebster said:
Lance,

Depends upon your boat, the ambient winds, your experience and your ability to handle the boat in changing conditions.

I've been running 40' to 60' boats in coastal waters for about 30 years, so I have some experience in variable wind/tide conditions. My own boat is a 450DA without a bow thruster and I have never considered adding one, but the 450DA is an unusual design for Sea Ray.....the center to center distance between shafts/props is unusually large and makes the boat a dream to operate in tight spots.

Would I automatically add a thruster to a new to me boat? No, I wouldn't consider spending the $15-$25K for a new thruster on a bot that is about 50% deprecated until I proved to myself that not having a thruster was limiting my ability to enjoy the boat.

Also, I asked this on another thread but perhaps you didn't see it..........have you decided where you are going to keep the new boat?



Frank
Click to expand...
Frank; been a long time since I have signed on to this sight. I had a 400DA a few years back and your posts and experience helped me many a time.
I'm now in the initial phases of a taking on a 450 Sun Dancer and one of the questions was the need for a bow thruster. Good to read your prospective on the issue.
Take care
Ron
 
We boat on Puget Sound (salt) with wind, current & tides I spent the first year with the boat and decided I'd rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it... Yes, it was $12k, but I have never regretted it. I have the cordless remote control on a lanyard and often run the boat by myself.
 
When we bought our boat I was going to have a thruster installed. IIRC the specs called for ~275 ft lbs of thrust with an 8" tube. The marina owner suggested going up one size which I think was ~295 ft lbs with the 8" tube. He couldn't find one of those so he bought the next larger size which was ~325 ft lbs size in a 10" tube.

It's kinda like horsepower--nobody EVER said I wish I didn't have so much power.
 
I had a Vetus 9524 installed in December of 2016 and the cost was about 10K.
I have 50’ of bulkhead that I dock port side to. From the tip of my anchor to the edge of the platform is about 45’ so I basically have to move sideways in to my dock. If the wind is from my starboard I don’t have to use it, but when the wind is 20 or 25 mph blowing me off the dock the thruster comes in real handy.
It’s also a nice sense of security when going in to a strange transient marina. Although I have it ready, I don’t think I’ve ever had to use it to back in to a slip.
IMHO: Like anything else, if it will make you use your boat more and be more comfortable it’s worth it.
 
Last edited:
JVM225 said:
IMHO: If it will make you use your boat more and be more comfortable it’s worth it.
Click to expand...

I believe this is the right answer. For a while.....I believe the manufacturers went the wrong way with "easy to drive". How many youtube videos are out there with a 6 year driving a 50' boat with a joystick? The only problem with pod drives is the maintenance nightmare that means your boat doesn't leave the slip and isn't reliable. I would rather see a boater with bow and stern thrusters than having a boat with pods that isn't used because of reliability.
 
I would lean on not. I rarely uses the thruster and when I do its to grab the lines at tie up after docking. I think you will be surprised how well these sedans maneuver without the need.
Maybe run her for a bit and judge for yourself before spending the money .. I would use the spend on the electronics upgrading .
 
I wasn't in my boat a few hours before I was needing a bow thruster, especially where my slip in located. Will go through summer and then see if I'm still needing it, it's already wired for one. It will be on my list if she continues to handle too slowly in a sharp 90 degree turn
 
Jeff L said:
I would lean on not. I rarely uses the thruster and when I do its to grab the lines at tie up after docking. I think you will be surprised how well these sedans maneuver without the need.
Maybe run her for a bit and judge for yourself before spending the money .. I would use the spend on the electronics upgrading .
Click to expand...
But diesels perform better than gas because all the torque. I know, I own a Chevrolet 6.6 Duramax and wouldn't trade it for the world!! ;)
 
Just FYI I spoke with the folks at Florida Bow Thrusters and the quote for my 07 340 was just shy of 10K. I’m sure some areas may be cheaper but these guys come to you. Anyhow, 10K is a ton of money and I think stern thrusters would have better resale value.
 
It's an interesting debate between using a bow thruster or not. I like the comment that if it makes you enjoy your boat more, do it. Our 370 has an aftermarket Vetus that the PO installed. It's there and I use it. I have only 6" either side to squeeze into when I back in. It's invaluable. Plus, it's helpful to move the boat sideways at the gas dock.

Mark
 
I installed a bow thruster in my 410DA primarily to help stop the fighting between the admiral, and I when bringing it back into the slip so she could reach the lines but then also ended up enjoying it when needed to get into the fuel docks on the river. I believe the installation cost was around $8k.

Our 48DA came with both bow and stern thrusters, and though I don't use them often when I do they sure are nice to have.

-Tom
 
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