bow thruster

[talos IV]

I am looking to instaling a bow thruster to my 24' 87' Bayliner Trophy. Any advice would be great, mostly location ect. I have been bulding fiberglass boats for 28 years so I have the glass part down. Any problems one might of had that I can learn from?

Thanks
Talos IV

 

[smclear]

Re: bow thruster

Sorry, can't help. I've just got to ask why you would need/want a bow thruster on a 24' boat. I lived in Ft. Lauderdale for 10+ years and worked in Marinas while there (Pier 66, Bahia Mar, and Harbourtown). I am familiar with bow thrusters and could easily understand if you were wanting to install one on a trawler (full displacement hull, usually single engine) or a larger 35+' boat. I guess I just don't see the point. Where do you do your boating? I suppose if you were fighting MAJOR tidal currents, then a bow thruster may be helpful but I still think it's overkill.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: bow thruster

Yeah, I can't think of a reason for a bow thruster on anything less than 30 ft.

 

[mmccoy555]

Re: bow thruster

I don't know if if would even work on that size. You would have to place it pretty close to the middle of the boat in order to install it properly and that would defeat the whole purpose of the "bow" thruster.

 

[DaveHarlos]

Re: bow thruster

Sideshift makes one (ss230) that attaches to the bow. You might want to take a look. I'm a rookie and I put a max-power on my 36'. It gave me some confidence while I was learning. I don't use it much now but it's comforting to know it's there.

Cheers, Dave

 

[erikgreen]

Re: bow thruster

For a boat that size I'd only consider one if I had a single inboard engine and my rudder was too small.

If you have an I/O then docking is relatively easy, just takes practice. If you have twin engines of any kind, you already have more maneuverability than the bow thruster would give you anyway.

If you must have one, the only ones that will fit are going to be the smallest electric models, and new they'll cost several times what your bayliner is worth.

If you're looking for a redneck solution, you could glass a tunnel into your hull just aft of the point where your bow enters the water and put a trolling motor size engine in there. You'd have to seal the wires and any penetrations of the hull of course, and the tunnel would probably cost you some performance.

What exactly are you looking to do? Dock easily, steer in hard current, ???

Erik

 

[talos IV]

Re: bow thruster

I would use it in docking with strong ocean current and wind in a tight place. I have had several "expert" people from around here try and even they had some problems. Thanks for the "input."

A one arm older gentleman who is not ready to give up fishing and the ocean.