East Coast Bow Thrusters

S

sea paws

Member
Oct 7, 2012
96
long island NY
Boat Info
2013 Formula 45PC
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Volvo D6 Pods
A friend of mine has a 27 foot amberjack and is looking to install a bow truster in his boat. Has any body used East coast bow thrusters or do you have other recommendations. The boat is kept on the North shore of Long Island
 
A thruster on a 27' boat? I'd suggest he learn how to drive the boat and save himself a whole bunch of $$$$$$
 
Had a 27 Amberjack, about a 1985 IIRC, that I never found all that problematic to maneuver. We had twin 170-horse Merc I/Os with Alpha I drives, not counterrotating, and the twin-engine effect wasn't especially marked (unlike an inboard), but even with that crosswind landings in our marina about a half mile up from Lake Michigan weren't unreasonable, and I single-hand a lot. If it's a newer boat with Bravo III or Duoprop drives, handling should be significantly better; my Overnighter 260 with a BIII does well.
There's also the question of enough clear space inside the hull for the machinery. I don't remember there being a lot of space under the Vberth forward in the area where a thruster would need to go.
Bottom line: You've not given us the year or the power aboard, which would help a little in understanding the boat. That said, I'd have to wonder what the need is and why it looks worthwhile to make that kind of investment in that size boat.
 
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Gofirstclass said:
A thruster on a 27' boat? I'd suggest he learn how to drive the boat and save himself a whole bunch of $$$$$$
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+100


Ive owned my 24' for a little over a year and 8 months of that was spent in the drive way with a blown motor. 1st boat ever and only a few months of driving/maneuvering and its pretty easy. Maybe he needs to get some more wheel time..... or switch hobbies

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BurgundyS24 said:
+100


Ive owned my 24' for a little over a year and 8 months of that was spent in the drive way with a blown motor. 1st boat ever and only a few months of driving/maneuvering and its pretty easy. Maybe he needs to get some more wheel time..... or switch hobbies

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Really? - switch hobbies? That's a little harsh - We dont know his circumstances. Tight slip? Current? To answer the OPs question, I have met them and know them by reputation, and they seem qualified and honorable.....sorry, thats all I know as I have never actually done business with them - I was once STRONGLY considering a thruster, but like the advice above, I put in the time learning to handle my boat instead - there are still some times when I would "like" to have one when pulling in a strange marina with lots of current.....but I have been fine without it - you did not mention what year his boat is but if it is a 05-07 style it is a single engine and probably one of the most difficult to master in close quarters....ive seen 260 dancers (same basic boat) of that era with a thruster and assume the install wont be a problem.
 
That's alittle harsh. Any tool to make someone more comfortable to use their boat should be embraced.

Sadly I cant help with who to have install it .

Rob
 
I'm with ididntdoit and Robski here. I always find it interesting how someone will initially post looking for help with a purchase or install and up getting a lecture on why they really don't need what they want to purchase or install. Even if the guy wanted to put a bow thruster on a kayak, who cares and who are we to ridicule him for it? If you can't answer the OP's question, why not just show a little self control and pontificate your beliefs and expert opinions somewhere else?

As for the OP - sorry, I have no experience with East Coast nor do I have alternatives to offer. Since asking for referrals here hasn't provided you with anything useful, perhaps have your friend ask East Coast for a few past customers to check with.
 
I usually do not post on these type of threads. But IDID, ROB & JEFF are exactly right. This forum is to help answer peoples questions not make them feel bad for asking a question they have. Imagine if FrankW had that attitude. I have asked him the most stupid questions imaginable but he and others have always answered very, very understandingly and informative. Thank goodness for those
guys/gals that help others so freely on this board everyday. Thanks, JC
 
Ive installed Thrusters on 2 boats with Florida Bow thruster. They did a great job and highly recommend. They are up in NYC 2x per month so its not an issue. As for ECBT, i cant comment.
 
We had our bow thruster installed by Florida Bow Thrusters who did an excellent job. They did nick the water pipe during install (those things take some installing) but they paid for the repair with no hassle at all. I would highly recommend them. FWIW we had ours installed because I have RA and not that nimble to get on the bow for lines etc., in a hurry. It's the most useful thing we have had done! I secure the stern when we dock, change places with my husband and use the BT to keep her in while he secures the bow. It has extended our boating when it's just the two of us. Notwithstanding, it's really useful when it's windy or a tough current in tight quarters.
 
tc410 said:
I'm with ididntdoit and Robski here. I always find it interesting how someone will initially post looking for help with a purchase or install and up getting a lecture on why they really don't need what they want to purchase or install. Even if the guy wanted to put a bow thruster on a kayak, who cares and who are we to ridicule him for it? If you can't answer the OP's question, why not just show a little self control and pontificate your beliefs and expert opinions somewhere else?

As for the OP - sorry, I have no experience with East Coast nor do I have alternatives to offer. Since asking for referrals here hasn't provided you with anything useful, perhaps have your friend ask East Coast for a few past customers to check with.
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:smt038
 
I for one can tell you WHOLE HARDHEARTEDLY that East Coast is a PREMIUM VENDOR! Even when they attack your vessel with a giant 12" hole saw! Great value and great people. Joe is a pro in every sense of the word. As for the nay sayers when it comes to bow thrusters you need to make your own decision as to if you want one or not. I had people breaking my stones also before I did it. I gotta tell you I try not to use it but out of the 40-50 times coming in and out of marinas and slips the 4 times I used it, it was worth EVERY PENNY! I look at it as insurance or a weapon, you hope to never need it but if you do need it your dam happy you have it! When you are in super tight marinas with million dollar boats poking out at you and a 20-25 knot wind you will be much more at ease. We have a few pics of it on our blog, click on our sig for it.

End result do what YOU want. I'm STILL happy we did.
 
Seems to be a pattern beginning here anytime someone (including myself) asks for help or advice there's always a few who quickly jump in with nothing more to add but drama. I for one am a little tired of it I thought this was a boating forum? Not a bashing forum? I find myself avoiding the site and looking for somewhere else to go unfortunately. It's to a point where guys will have a second thought about asking for advice..shame used to be fun here....
 
I hear ya Joe, unfortunately the Mods have had it easy too long LOL. Time to step up our game and police the threads. If anyone see's a post that goes against what were here for HELPING each other and enjoying the lifestyle hit that "triangle with the !" in it. I don't think they posted with malice but it reads that way for sure. Possibly just a little too much scotch at late night lol.
 
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Ctsearay said:
I hear ya Joe, unfortunately the Mods have had it easy too long LOL. Time to step up our game and police the threads. If anyone see's a post that goes against what were here for HELPING each other and enjoying the lifestyle hit that "triangle with the !" in it. I don't think they posted with malice but it reads that way for sure. Possibly just a little too much scotch at late night lol.
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OMG now you are going to start picking on the MODS :)

Be nice and get along or we will have to put you in timeout :)

Yes sometimes things come across strong. IMHO I don't think most mean it that way. Sometimes joking can get lost in the forum and hey you all slammed them enough sometimes best for us MODs to say nothing.

Looks like most have come and answered the OP question already. Way to go group. That is what makes the forum great. Users helping Users.:smt038
 
Just a comment on whether it's needed. When I moved up to the 420DA the thought was intimidating, the boat seemed huge. I read over and over those commenting on how easy the boats with diesels and large props handled. The first time at the helm was a relief, it was all true, instant response to input. Having said that if I keep this boat I'm probably going to have a bow thruster installed. Having that option will make a great handling boat even better.
 
There was no malice behind me saying "switch hobbies". That was a lil sarcasm that i guess is more so lost via text and screen. i suppose it would have went over better if i included some sort of funny emoji or something.

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