‘Little blue pill’ for docking? Thoughts on a bow thruster
- Thread starter Nick70
- Start date
skibum
Well-Known Member
There are time when I sure wish I had one. I use the storage area under the V berth and am not willing to give it up for a couple of dockings per year. There have been a handful of times when I just couldn't get enough control of the bow to dock somewhere, but in most cases I've been able to resolve it by backing up to the dock, tying off the stern and then putting the boat in gear to slowly push the bow over to the dock. It works surprisingly well in a 260...
mratlndmrk
Well-Known Member
- Mar 5, 2018
- 592
- Boat Info
- 2003 Sea Ray 380
- Engines
- Merc 8.1s
ZF 6.3 V Drives
Westerbeke 7.0 BCGB Genset
Yes my Vetus is 24V also. I just assumed that for a 420 they would use the 24V unit. I will say my boat literally jumps to the side so very happy with it. In my slip it's almost a necessity due to a 45 degree 5-6 kt tide. Before I had this boat with the thruster I had to limit the times we could go out depending on the wind and tide. Anywhere else we travel I don't even bother turning on the battery but for piece of mind where 90% of my docking occurs it was well worth the cost.
GoodVibes
New Member
- Jun 22, 2020
- 28
- Boat Info
- 2001 290 Sundancer
- Engines
- Dual Mercruiser 5.7 EFI with Bravo 3 outdrives
First time boat owner with our 290. Measures just under 32 feet with the swimming platform. We have twin engines thank goodness. Our neighbor in the very next slip has the same 290 but about 10 years older with a single engine. He has a rough time getting in as we have somewhat strong currents in our canal most of the time. Thankfully we all help each other out in our club.
That being said even for me, practice, practice, and more prcatice has made it easier every time. Getting comfortable with all the elements and variables just gets you the experience needed like with anything else.
If you get in without harming the boat, dock, and most importantly anyone....i say success and well done.
If you have to back out and try again, who cares? Safety is the only thing that matters.
I probably would have spend only a few dollars extra on our boat if it had a bow thruster. Definitely not anywhere close to the 7k. But as @craigswardmtb said, if it makes you feel better and you can afford it, do it.
That being said even for me, practice, practice, and more prcatice has made it easier every time. Getting comfortable with all the elements and variables just gets you the experience needed like with anything else.
If you get in without harming the boat, dock, and most importantly anyone....i say success and well done.
If you have to back out and try again, who cares? Safety is the only thing that matters.
I probably would have spend only a few dollars extra on our boat if it had a bow thruster. Definitely not anywhere close to the 7k. But as @craigswardmtb said, if it makes you feel better and you can afford it, do it.
