Bow Thrusters

G

gcb

New Member
Mar 19, 2008
11
Melbourne , Australia
Boat Info
2004 260 Sundancer
Engines
350 Merc
I have a Sundancer 260 and have been moved in our Marina to a really pokey position and find it very difficult to manouver, and considering installing a Bow Thruster has anyone done this with any success
 
Get a price to install a bow thruster then ask the question again.
 
That's really overkill on a 26' I/O boat, but can be done. You're probably gonna dump $7,000 or more to make it happen... and you'll never get it back at resale 'cause most people don't need one on a boat that size.

How much experience do you have handling the boat?
 
Willdo-USA Wins Innovation Award For New Jet Thruster System

10/17/08

New Water Jet-Based System Is Suitable for Boats of All Sizes

Seabrook, Texas - The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) has recognized the new Jet Thruster System from WillDo-USA as one of the most innovative new products for the U.S. boating industry.

The WillDo Jet Thruster System was one of 11 new products to receive NMMA Innovation Awards at the International Boatbuilders' Exhibition and Conference (IBEX).

"We are very excited to receive an Innovation Award for the Jet Thruster," said Rudolf Mes, general manager of WillDo-USA. "We can't think of a more impressive way to introduce the product into the U.S. market."

The new WillDo system uses a centrifugal pump, with directional valves and powerful water-jet nozzles to provide a compact, easy-to-install thruster system for boats ranging in size from 20 to 70 feet. The thrusters are driven either hydraulically, electrically or directly via a small diesel engine. Joystick controls are located at the helm station. WillDo offers the systems as bow-thruster only or combination bow/stern thrusters.

"WillDo designed these systems to make it easier for boatowners to maneuver the boat in and out of a berth and other tight spaces," said Mes. "With the four-way bow/stern combination, you can literally turn the boat on a dime and move it laterally from side to side through the water."

"The installed cost of these water jet-based systems is much lower than traditional propeller-tunnel thrusters," said Mes. "We are selling the products to boatbuilders as OEM factory-installed equipment and also through our dealer network for aftermarket retrofit."

Peter Nielsen, editor of Sail magazine and a Boating Writers International (BWI) judge, said, "This versatile system cuts down on hull resistance, simplifies installation and is applicable for both power and sail purposes."

Other judges on the panel were Roger Marshall, U.S. editor of The Yacht Report; Dean Travis Clarke, executive editor of Sport Fishing, Fly Fishing in Salt Waters and Marlin magazines and host of Sport Fishing Magazine TV; Marilyn Mower, editor of Southern Boating and Marine Business Journal magazines; Jan Mundy, editor of DIY Boat Owner; Bill Pike, senior editor of Power & Motoryacht; and Aaron Porter, associate editor of Professional Boatbuilder.

The Innovation Awards are organized by the NMMA and judged by a panel of experts from BWI to recognize the most innovative new products in the boating industry. The Jet Thruster System won the award in the Mechanical Systems category.

About WillDo-USA
WillDo-USA http://www.willdousa.com is located in Seabrook, Texas, and provides sales, installation and service through a nationwide network of dealers.

Media Contact:
Rudolf Mes (281) 474-3276 ext. 555 rudolf.mes@willdousa.com
 
Have you figured out where all of the equipment besides the thruster are going to go, motors, batteries, tunnel through the hull. You are going to lose a lot of interior boat space As fc3 says get a price estimate first.

Mr Salt
2001 540 CPMY
Caterpillar C-12s
Cape May, NJ
 
What about a sideshift bow thruster. Installation would be much easier.
 
gcb said:
I have a Sundancer 260 and have been moved in our Marina to a really pokey position and find it very difficult to manouver, and considering installing a Bow Thruster has anyone done this with any success
Click to expand...

My first year with my 240DA was like this too. I was in a slip that was difficult even for people with experience. I hired a Coast Guard Captain to teach me how to maneuver my boat, especially in that slip, and it was the best investment. I'd recommend instruction and practice because there will always be times where you will need to use those skills on the water. If you get enough instruction and practice to get in and out of that slip without a problem, you'll be able to handle your boat in tight quarters under most circumstances. And in my opinion, that's worth a lot more than the cost of a bow-thruster to help you deal with that slip.
 
The 260 when operated well is a very nimble boat .I agree with getting instruction on the vessels operation. You will be very surprised at where you will be able to shoe horn your boat into in all conditions with the right instruction and practice.What appears impossible becomes very easy when you have spent enough time learning how your boat behaves. I offer captains training to new boat owners and they can't believe that their boat can move in certain ways under complete control. Bow thruster equipment is costly especially a retro fit . Give yourself a chance to know your boat before this act of desperation.$10,000 or more will buy a lot of fuel and other usefull things.
 
I am an experienced Boat handler, the problem with our boating here in Melbourne is that you generally do it with all the Clears up. With any windshift it can create a huge problem all of a sudden youre a sailboat, and with marina berths in critical shortage I have to take the one I have. I might lok at the willdo and if they are available in Australia. Thanks 370 Dancer
 
Difficult slips make for good skippers.
 
Not taking either side here, but our next boat will have a thruster(s) or pod drives. My wife really likes driving the boat and really has trouble mastering the tight slip/wind issue. We did the skipper thing last year - for two days. And, like every other kind of training...use it or lose it. Busy schedules are what they are and time to practice docking is not high on her priority list. Everyone seems to like the idea of power steering, automatic transmissions, limited slip differentials, and anti-lock brakes in a car. What's wrong with the convenience of thrusters/pod drives? Even Formula One drivers (some of the highest paid "athletes" in the world) have semi-auto transmissions, engine telemetry controls, and traction control. Don't think any of those guys want to go back to a stick and clutch.
 
Sure, but it's pretty easy to learn these skills with a little pracice. I guess I'm too cheap to buy stuff that I don't need.
 
sbw1 said:
Sure, but it's pretty easy to learn these skills with a little pracice. I guess I'm too cheap to buy stuff that I don't need.
Click to expand...

Totally agree; yet she's an executive at a very large company, so....when it comes time to go out on the water it's all about bloody mary's and relaxing-that is the point of boating right?

Practice? Sure, but if I add up all the times we "need" to dock in an unfamiliar place (aka practice), over the course of a year, I can count them on two hands. We tend to go out, drop anchor, drag the PWC along, and enjoy the day.

I guess if we go back to sextants, charts (yes, I have them as back-ups), and the stars ; then, maybe use that little round ball (compass) on the dash - we don't need thousands of dollars in chart plotters,GPS, etc.,etc...

I see everyone's point here, and don't diagree at all- but as a "newbie" to boating (less than two years but enjoy learning) I always chuckle at the "old salt" talk when it comes to the selective "experience" arguments.
 
gcb said:
I am an experienced Boat handler, the problem with our boating here in Melbourne is that you generally do it with all the Clears up. With any windshift it can create a huge problem all of a sudden youre a sailboat, and with marina berths in critical shortage I have to take the one I have. I might lok at the willdo and if they are available in Australia. Thanks 370 Dancer
Click to expand...

I'm confused. Is it a 260 or a 370 because that really changes the equation in my opinion? Info in your signature line might help.
 
Meaning no disrespect,but an experienced boat handler would be especially aware of the sail effect of Isinglass ,and how to react to the effects you mention.It is seldom that a boat is moving in a straight line.The forces that come to play on a boat often dictate that you slip and slide into place having anticipated these effects. I am one who finds a great deal of satisfaction in placing my boat right where I want it ,regardless of the conditions. I consider close quarters handling a challange and I am going to win .My 270 Dancer was a set up just like your 260 and the virtues of the bravo three drive can be exploited in close quarters with some practice. My advice is for you to go out on a gusty day and observe your boat's so called mind of its own.It won't be long before you will be able to instinctively overcome that last minute gust and land a perfect grease job regardless of the conditions.
 
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