2001 Sundancer 340 Bow thruster

I put it like this, if you play from the red tees get a bow thruster... I leaned how to use my engines to walk my boat sideways, and it is fun to dock when the wind is stiff, but a bow thurster is cheating... Also, it is something else to maintain, and as mentioned, it stops working then what? It is not need with a twin engine. Even docking with one engine can be down without a bow thruster... Just take it slow and have a good crew...
 
How do you walk the boat sideways? I tried with my 380 and I can't do it. Someone told me that you need more torque.
 
rcknecht said:
I put it like this, if you play from the red tees get a bow thruster... I leaned how to use my engines to walk my boat sideways, and it is fun to dock when the wind is stiff, but a bow thurster is cheating... Also, it is something else to maintain, and as mentioned, it stops working then what? It is not need with a twin engine. Even docking with one engine can be down without a bow thruster... Just take it slow and have a good crew...
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So you are saying any boat with a bow thruster is cheating, if used? I use my thruster when needed, I am very capable of docking without it. I would say it's a very nice to have. Curious to know if you ever went up in size and your next boat came with a bow thruser would you use it?
 
CAMELLA said:
So you are saying any boat with a bow thruster is cheating, if used? I use my thruster when needed, I am very capable of docking without it. I would say it's a very nice to have. Curious to know if you ever went up in size and your next boat came with a bow thruser would you use it?
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Sure I would use it... I would not mind having one. It is cheating, but I say that because I don't have one. If I had the$8K for one, I would rather spend it on fuel...


The way to walk a boat sideways with inboards has to do with deflecting your thrust with your rudders and using the roational torque of your shafts to move your boat sideways... It does not work well in the wind, but when the water is calm you can do it... If your turn your wheel counter clockwise all the way. and put your port engine in fwd and stb in rev your boat should walk to the Stb if their is not much wind.
 
rjrcmr03 said:
Hi Everyone, First time posting. Was wondering if it is worth installing a Bow Thruster in my 2001 340 Sundancer, That I have just purchased or is that model just that easy to dock. I have inboards with the 8.1 Horizons. Thanks for any info.
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I Search for white a while to find a Searay 340 with the bow thruster. I have winter escape on the space coast in Florida. I found the boat I was looking for on the West Coast of Florida in Cape Coral. Never having a boat before it was a little larger then I anticipated.
I hired Captin to bring the boat with me back to the East Coast. Being a novice at eight I was able to dock the boat the first time every time. Although I am capable of docking the boat without the use of Bow Thruster it’s there if I need it. I shoot from the white tees.
 
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Richard Meyerowitz said:
I Search for white a while to find a Searay 340 with the bow thruster. I have winter escape on the space coast in Florida. I found the boat I was looking for on the West Coast to Florida Cape Coral. Nevetbhaving a boat before it was a little larger then I anticipated.
I hired Captin to bring the boat with me back to the East Coast. Being a novice boating I was was able to dock the boat the first time every time. Although I am capable of docking the boat without the use of Bow Thruster it’s there if I need it. I shoot from the white tees.
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Excuse the typos. The phone has a mind of its own
 
I installed it on my 380. It's a great tool to have when needed, especially when wind or currents pick up.
 
superwa said:
I installed it on my 380. It's a great tool to have when needed, especially when wind or currents pick up.
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Same....although it was hard to drop 90K on a boat and then do this to it!
bow2.jpg
 
I’ve got one on my 410. While I may not use it all that often, it sure is nice having it.
 
Don't let anyone say your cheating ext.. Here is the way I look at it. I had mine installed 1 year after I bought my boat. Yes you can practice and really don't need one. BUT..I have to tell you. That ONE time your in a pickle it's a life saver! I feel more confident going out in all kinds of weather, Pulling into marinas where I don't know the current and it's just cool to pull away from docks and tied up moored friends. Yes I hear cheater..ect. Then I say did I hit your boat? In reality there just jealous...LOL. I say if you have money to blow, go for it. I'm sure it helps resale value also to boot.
 
My 370 was my first twin, actually it is my first boat period. I was terrified about driving and docking, I hired a captain to take me out for 2-4 hrs and got comfortable with the boat.

One season in and I would say I would try to dock her anyplace now. I would like a bow thruster as many have stated on a windy day I play hell controlling the bow, mostly only at the fuel docks.

After a late night and taking about 20mins trying to back her into my slip without success I remembered I left the tabs down!!!

I installed the Bennett autotabs this winter. End of the day if you asked me last year I would have said yes I want a thruster, ask me now and I say not so much now, I would spend my $$ on another upgrade.

best advice ever,” don’t dock faster than you are comfortable with running into something.”

find a buddy that can laugh and joke with you and find a few week days with low volume and calm weather and practice, after 3-4 times of doing that you will have a much better idea of what a need vs want is....

a luxury once sampled quickly becomes a necessity !!
 
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