Who really HAS to use there bow thruster?

[Jackie J V]

Having moved through 27', 32', 37', 44', 56' - I think they only become relevant at 40 to 45'. My boat came with the bow thruster (I can't imagine a 560DB coming without) and I added a bow thruster. I feel very comfortable in maneuvering my boat without the thrusters, however I use mine a lot. First off, one turn of the big wheels really moves the boat. I find that the thrusters add a "fine tuning" for coming in more softly, most specifically when I'm coming into a raft (I anchor out a lot). Another occasion that's really helpful is is there's a strong wind holding me on the fuel dock. It's easy to swing the bow, however the stern thruster helps to keep the Admiral from having to push off. Finally, I've been in some very tight harbors (Tobermorey on a busy day), where they can be very helpful getting out vertically from a wall.

Oh and really finally, we often cruise on the small craft route of Georgian Bay. There's a couple of tight turns between markers and rocks where I need to stop, squeeze the butt cheeks and use the thrusters...

Paul

 

[northshore]

Fair enough. My last skipper hated waiting for tugs. Despite 2 × General Electric LM2500-30gas turbines generating 41,000 shp (31 MW) through a single shaft and variable pitch propeller, he had to deploy the available 2 × Auxiliary Propulsion Units, 350 hp (260 kW) retractable electric azimuth thrusters to maneuver and dock. 445 X 45 feet is a b!tch in any condition. :grin:

David, what was that on?

 

[BritLady]

We had one installed and would not be without it. It's not that the Captain doesn't know how to operate without it (he did for years), it can get you out of a tight corner when needed if winds/currents etc., are bad and traffic is heavy as it can be where we are. The main reason we had it was for me because as someone else said, it's a second set of hands and I always use it when we are in our slip. It saves me (as I'm not that nimble due to RA) having to climb on the bow with a line. I can keep it in the correct position in the slip with the BT while someone else climbs about and ties the lines. We are also more likely to go out when it's windier as we know if needs be it's very useful to use when docking. Notwithstanding, that resale is better with one. When you do get your boat, if you want one get one but also make sure you know how to handle it without having to rely on it for docking all the time. Good luck!

 

[majoma]

I am not an old fashion guy. As far as I am concerned, I try to get everything that makes my life easy. On my old sailboat I had self-furling jib and main and also electric winches. Why struggle taking the sails up and down? I also had an autopilot so I didn’t have to be at the wheel for hours and a GPS instead of a sextant. BTW I am wearing a watch instead of an hourglass.

 

[Seevee]

A bow thruster (or stern thruster) is a personal preference for the most part.

I've had them on a 31 foot boat and none on a 45 ft, and made virtually no difference.

They "can" be nice at times, but one has to know their capability. There are winds that can easily overpower a bow thruster, and you can get yourself in a pickle, so you have to anticipate. Some can move the boat quite well, and some can't.

Maintenance on them is simple, but a PITA, and one of the major manufacturers is in Europe and hard to get parts (Lemar?).

For me, I'd do without, for any sized boat, excepting over 60 feet or a single engine trawler (then I'd have both bow and stern thruster).

 

[Gofirstclass]

I have one scenario where I find I MUST use the thruster. That is when I'm taking the boat to our old yacht club for a party. They give reciprocal moorage to members of our new club, so I can dock there for free.

When I'm at the old club, I find I absolutely MUST use the thruster. It has something to do with rubbing their noses in it a bit.

Now, for the record, I'm not normally into doing that, but on occasion I find it necessary. I think you know what I mean.

 

[dpmulvey]

David, what was that on?

USS Boone (FFG 28). Fast Frigate out of Mayport Florida. She could do 16 knots all day and really scoot when necessary! Ahead flank and She could leave my 330 in her wake with little effort.

Funny sea story that makes one realize just how short life really is! I served in Boone in 1985 and 1986. My S.O. and I have been seeing each other since late 2013. She's originally from Philly and heads "home" several times a year to visit family. On my first trip to Philly with her, we are heading over the Delaware River (Giraud Point Bridge?) in typical Philly traffic and I recognize the shape of a lot of frigates in the Philly Shipyard and tell my sweetie that's the type of ship I did my department head tour on. We went a few hundred feet further an there on the port and starboard bow I see a frigate and there were the numbers "28" big as day! I say, "Honey, remember I said I was on a ship like that?" "Yes." "Well the one with the number 28 on the front was it!!!" Then I do the math....My God.... That was almost 30 years ago..... What happened?!?!?!?!!!! Then I realized, life happened!