Bow thrusters ?

drillerb57

drillerb57

Member
Feb 12, 2012
135
Brunswick,Lake Erie
Boat Info
1992 290 Sundancer
Engines
7.4 single Bravo2 drive
Has anybody looked into aftermarket bow thrusters ? I found a site called ..www.sideshift.com

Kinda ugly just hanging there, but I think it would be better than cutting the hull.

Wish they had a video , showing it in use..

any other options ?
 
drillerb57 said:
Has anybody looked into aftermarket bow thrusters ? I found a site called ..www.sideshift.com

Kinda ugly just hanging there, but I think it would be better than cutting the hull.

Wish they had a video , showing it in use..

any other options ?
Click to expand...

Search YouTube. I've seen demo videos on YouTube for them. They seem to work well.


Shaun
Sent from my iPhone
 
Wish they had a video , showing it in use..
Click to expand...

Here ya go. :smt001

[video=youtube;jKtbN83c4-w]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKtbN83c4-w[/video]
 
As the owner of one of Sea Ray's biggest single engine boats, I looked into one of these a few years ago. I decided the risk of damage when docking or beaching was too great for me, and my docking skills improved to the point that I didn't really need it. Also, I did a calculation of the pre-planing drag caused by the SS340 and it's not insignificant. At 15 mph, the added drag is 110 lbs, and the added fuel use is about 0.4 gal/hr. I had planned to install a fairing to reduce drag if I had installed one on my boat.
 
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Sadler said:
As the owner of one of Sea Ray's biggest single engine boats, I looked into one of these a few years ago. I decided the risk of damage when docking or beaching was too great for me, and my docking skills improved to the point that I didn't really need it. Also, I did a calculation of the pre-planing drag caused by the SS340 and it's not insignificant. At 15 mph, the added drag is 110 lbs, and the added fuel use is about 0.4 gal/hr. I had planned to install a fairing to reduce drag if I had installed one on my boat.
Click to expand...
My boat is 5 years older than yours, other than that should be the same. I have no problems docking if I head in with my bow , but when I Stearn in ???? I cant control the bow well.
If the winds are really against me forget about it. As for the side shift, I really don't like the drag equation either. Wonder why they didn't add a servo to push it in and pull back out of the water ? Like a plunger effect.
something to really think about , many advantages after watching the you tube video`s.
 
It's not a cheap convenience. In my opinion, for something that clamps on up the boat with a glorified muffler clamp, it should be reasonably priced. I think it runs $3,500-4k! It does appear to work well, just seems overpriced IMO.


Shaun
Sent from my iPhone
 
My old man had a lot of trouble when I was trying to teach him to dock and with fathers day approaching here in Oz, I clicked on the link

USD3,495.00 tax excl + accessories. (for the smallest size)

YIKES!

Very cool idea, but not at that price.
 
I'm not impressed...looks like a glorified trolling motor! This isn't innovation; just an adaptation in use of an existing product.
 
I think the best line in that video on their website is of the guy saying "I'll tell ya... My wife let me do more things with the boat."

What the hell is THAT?! Your wife put your socks on in the morning for you? Sheez...
 
I think the best line in that video on their website is of the guy saying "I'll tell ya... My wife let me do more things with the boat." At 56 seconds...

[video=youtube;BluTQdNMYiA]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BluTQdNMYiA&feature=player_embedded[/video]

What the hell is THAT?! Your wife put your socks on in the morning for you? Does she wipe your butt after you go poo poo? Canadians... Sheez...
 
There is one around here on a 24ft Bayliner.
Rust all around the motor case.
Looks terrible hanging out up there.
 
It's something that you want when you're early on in the learning curve of docking a long single-engine boat. But as you get practice I think you'll discover that you don't really need it. There are probably lots of people here who are better at docking than I am but I will tell you a few of the things that I have learned. One is to think well ahead study the wind study the current plan your approach. Never try to power out of a bad situation-- just put her in neutral and the worst will usually just be a small bump. As for backing in, many times you can anticipate the wind and current and angle the bow such that the overall angle is essentially straight by the time you are completely back into the slip. With practice you can even back in into high wind and current by yourself by using a cheat that I'll try to explain: run a bow or mid ship line all the way back to the swim platform on the side facing the dock. Run a second line on the same side from a stern cleat to the same point so that you can hold both lines in one hand and lay them down in a way they are easy to grab. Now all you have to do is back close enough to get the swim platform close enough to the dock to safely step off where you then put the boat in neutral, walk back, pick the lines up and step onto the dock. With the two lines you have complete control of your boat--like the strings to a big puppet. I've used this method for years coming in by myself in high wind and current with good results. With practice it can be very swift, safe, and easy. But practice in easy conditions with helpers first.
 
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Thanks sadler, maybe I am jumping the gun.. I`m going to try your rope idea. Sounds like a good idea.And the price is much better ..lol

Sadler, I just looked at your photos of your boat..real nice ! What is your beam ?
 
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drillerb57 said:
Thanks sadler, maybe I am jumping the gun.. I`m going to try your rope idea. Sounds like a good idea.And the price is much better ..lol

Sadler, I just looked at your photos of your boat..real nice ! What is your beam ?
Click to expand...

Thanks driller. The beam on my boat is 9'8". Probably close to yours.
 
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