bow thruster vs twin engines

[salligator]

I have a Sea Ray 270 SLX. I would like to improve my docking prowess.

I have a choice, either put in a bow thuster or go to twin engines in a Sea Ray 290 or 300 SLX.

What are the possible merits and what is the downside of each approach.

 

[terminaldegree]

We had no problem docking a 280 ss with twins in any situation. Engine room access sucked, though.

My boating history ironically has zero boats with a bow thruster. With well placed fenders, a little experience/practice, and a crew member who can tie a line, I have not damaged any boat beyond perhaps a rub mark or buffable scratch. The only boat that really needed a great driver or a thruster was our 370 da-- I think the large prop pockets contributed to tougher dockside handling (but a nice shallow draft). Our current 360 is much easier. The 290da we had handled surprisingly ok with a single bravo 3 and no thruster.

To those who know a little about boat design, don't you take something of a performance "hit" by having a hole drilled in the bottom of the bow, or is that a non-issue at all normal speeds? Anyone driven two of the same boat, one with a thruster and one without?

 

[mwph]

Interesting question.

I can not answer from an experience perspective but from a financial standpoint I would suggest you price putting a bow thruster (in any boat). Then decide if your overall boating enjoyment would improve by using that money toward an upgrade to a larger boat with twins.

I'm guessing that most here will not suggest the bow thruster.

 

[techmitch]

With a 61 Litre engine it's a wonder she even floats.:smt043:lol::smt043:grin:

Join Date
Oct 2010Location
sarasota, FloridaBoat
sea rayDetails
270 SLXEngine(s)
Mercruiser 61 litre

 

[MaddyDean]

Bigger Boat--hooper.

 

[Ididntdoit]

Perf will not take a hit - that part of the boat is out of the water when on plane - get the thruster - twin outdrives do not perform as well around the docks as twin inboards do - the props, thus the pivot point, are too far aft and on a boat like you are considering the outdrives will likely be too close together too. A thruster will get you what you want......with the twin outdrives you will still need a lot of practice to become a "rockstar"

 

[skolbe]

You can really master a single engine. Maybe consider hiring a captain and learning tips and techniques to better manage a single engine boat. Twins with outdrives will still require improving skills.

 

[Gofirstclass]

Ididn'tdoit hit on a couple of good points....the outdrives won't give you the maneuverability that twin v-drives will, and in that size boat the props are so close together you may not get what you're looking for.

I've never seen a thruster on a boat your size but that doesn't mean you can have one put in.

I think Skolbe nailed it....get a captain or someone with a lot of boating experience in single engine boats to teach you how to do it. I have docked a single engine 270 (friend's boat) a few times and it's not hard. It just takes some practice and getting to know your boat. I'd recommend spending a couple of hundred bucks on a captain rather than a few thousand on a thruster.

 

[Phlorida]

+1 If I can learn, anyone can.

The only thing that I can add is to take the time to watch other people do what you are trying to do. As an example, I had been struggling with reversing my 25 footer to the dock where they pick up the boats for dry storage - I could get the aft or the bow aligned perfectly - but not both. One day I watched a guy do the same except he reversed beyond the point where he wanted to be and then approached the dock in forward gear. It is really obvious now but until I saw someone else do it this was a real source of frustration.

You can really master a single engine. Maybe consider hiring a captain and learning tips and techniques to better manage a single engine boat. Twins with outdrives will still require improving skills.

 

[skolbe]

When I bought the 320 - Marine Max provided a real captain at delivery. While - I thought I was pretty decent with the boat. He taught me some techniques that really improved my skills - with this boat.

 

[Jack380AC]

:smt018Real men don't use bow thrusters or joy sticks! :smt018

 

[salligator]

Thank you For your advice

Your advice is very good.

The thing that I had not realized was how close the engines were together (if I had two).

So in summary I can get more instruction or put in a bow thruster.

The only question I have is what do you mean by getting the two engines to run together.

steve