Bowthruster install yes/no?

TLCFLORIDA

TLCFLORIDA

New Member
Dec 7, 2020
6
Cape Coral, Florida
Boat Info
In Search of 2009+ 36/39 Sea Ray Sedan Bridge
Engines
Boatless
We are looking at purchasing a 2007 36 Sea Ray Sedan Bridge. Most of these have bow thrusters and some have stern thrusters as well. This one doesn't and we are really stressing over having one put in. Does an aftermarket bow thruster damage the integrity of the hull? Do the insurance companies treat it any different because it's aftermarket?Anyone have any experience with a Florida based bow thruster company? Thanks for your input, experience and information.
 
TLCFLORIDA said:
We are looking at purchasing a 2007 36 Sea Ray Sedan Bridge. Most of these have bow thrusters and some have stern thrusters as well. This one doesn't and we are really stressing over having one put in. Does an aftermarket bow thruster damage the integrity of the hull? Do the insurance companies treat it any different because it's aftermarket?Anyone have any experience with a Florida based bow thruster company? Thanks for your input, experience and information.
Click to expand...

florida bow thruster is widely regarded as one of the best, at least from what I've read. I can't imagine you'd into insurance problems or otherwise if it was installed properly. I have one our on our 410 and I really love having it. I usually dont need it but I use it to bump the bow against the dock quick often while the wife ties us up
 
They put one in a friends Cruisers Yachts 400 Express. The 12 volt version...turn key was $12,500.

Bennett
 
I’m having a thruster upgrade done on my new boat. The insurance company wanted proof of the final cost to adjust the coverage. That was all.
 
TLCFLORIDA said:
We are looking at purchasing a 2007 36 Sea Ray Sedan Bridge. Most of these have bow thrusters and some have stern thrusters as well. This one doesn't and we are really stressing over having one put in. Does an aftermarket bow thruster damage the integrity of the hull? Do the insurance companies treat it any different because it's aftermarket?Anyone have any experience with a Florida based bow thruster company? Thanks for your input, experience and information.
Click to expand...

I'm guessing the 36 is gas powered? My bet is with engines and props, properly tuned, and a bow thruster should be sufficient depending on location/mooring/slip arrangement, tides and winds.

This location and boat info. on the left, under your avatar would be advantageous for anybody helping with questions in the future.
 
I had a 2007 36DB with both thrusters the boat had gas engines so the stern thruster was handy.the boat catches a little wind here and there if it had the Cummins upgraded diesels it would have responded better so no real need for the stern thruster but real nice to have. You’ll be very happy with a bow thruster don’t let anyone tell you it’s for novice capt’s it’s a tool to use when you feel you need it .
Enjoy the boat..
 
I use a bow thruster all the time.

Could I survive if it went out, yes. Have practiced enough without it that I am ok.

That said, why not use it.

Lots of interesting things you can do. For example if you want to move the boat sideways towards starboard.

Engage your transmissions to pivot the boat towards port. Use the bow thruster to move the boat to starboard.

The rotation of the pivot will cause your stern to move to starboard, bow thruster pulls the bow in to starboard.
 
FootballFan said:
I use a bow thruster all the time.

Could I survive if it went out, yes. Have practiced enough without it that I am ok.

That said, why not use it.

Lots of interesting things you can do. For example if you want to move the boat sideways towards starboard.

Engage your transmissions to pivot the boat towards port. Use the bow thruster to move the boat to starboard.

The rotation of the pivot will cause your stern to move to starboard, bow thruster pulls the bow in to starboard.
Click to expand...

Gotta love the guys who say you don't know how to drive a boat if you use a thruster. I see it on the facebook groups all the time
 
I dont have a thruster and I sure couldnt justify $15k to install one. I agree nice to have but in my opinion not necessary.
 
Blueone said:
I dont have a thruster and I sure couldnt justify $15k to install one. I agree nice to have but in my opinion not necessary.
Click to expand...
I know a guy that upgraded from a single engine Back Cove 41 to a Sabre 48 flybridge with pod drives. Pods are supposed to be the cat's meow for close handling, right? In his experience with the pods, he can't use use them to put the bow where he wants it without the stern moving around also. He feels the closeness of the drives can't overcome the lever arm of 45 feet to the bow. Also, the 1200 hp engines are pretty strong for finessing maneuvers. As a result he's adding bow and stern thrusters to the tune of about $30k.
 
b_arrington said:
I know a guy that upgraded from a single engine Back Cove 41 to a Sabre 48 flybridge with pod drives. Pods are supposed to be the cat's meow for close handling, right? In his experience with the pods, he can't use use them to put the bow where he wants it without the stern moving around also. He feels the closeness of the drives can't overcome the lever arm of 45 feet to the bow. Also, the 1200 hp engines are pretty strong for finessing maneuvers. As a result he's adding bow and stern thrusters to the tune of about $30k.
Click to expand...

I spent a week on a bare boat charter that was a pod boat. So not a lot of pod experience, but running every day for 10 days.

Could see adding a bow thruster to a pod boat, but not a stern thruster.
 
not to hijack OP thread, but while not a bridge boat, i feel i can put my boat wherever i want with the pods.
Between the torque and power of the diesels and the counter-rotating twin props, they move a LOT of water.
 
Adding any big hole in a boat raises concerns. A bow thruster in itself is not an issue with your 36DB, the hull structure is there. My opinion is with "who" is doing the install. Bow Thruster installations can be done correctly or horribly wrong. Therefore any opinion or advice I offer is on who the company is doing the work. You are suggesting Florida Bow Thruster is being considered. They are probably the best in the biz, and certainly do more installs then anyone else I can think of. You will be in good shape if they are your guys.

Capt. R
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Forum statistics

Threads
113,116
Messages
1,426,351
Members
61,028
Latest member
ddbyrd329
Back
Top