Worth having a bow thruster on 29' twin engine?

aquaaddiction

aquaaddiction

Member
Aug 8, 2011
123
Western Australia
Boat Info
280 Sundancer
Engines
Twin 4.3 V6, Kohler 5E generator
Hi,

I am debating fitting a bow thruster, but the general wisdom is that a twin engined boat this size doesn't need one, and it should be easy with the twin throttles.

I normally dock stern to, and use just the two throttles to steer her astern, but I still often find the wind catching the bow and swinging it before I am in the dock, often heading down onto the neighbouring boat which is hard to fend off with no side walkway on my 275.

What is your experience of a twin engined boat this size, is it just practice (I have many years boating experience and ok in other areas of boat handling) and not worth it, or is it tricky (espically with I/O) and glad you spent the $$$ to have a thruster?

Thanks,
Ants
 
I would use it if I had the factory option but I wouldn't install one. I dock bow in then swing the stern over.

I started keeping an 8 ft dock pole with hook right next to the dock cleats just in case, after seeing the bow swing out on my neighbor who has a 26 foot regal.
 
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Your and money and your skill set should drive this decision and nothing else. I would add that if you are having trouble keeping the bow along side as you go stern-to, change your procedure. As you dock, have a line hooked on you boat on the quarter cleat. Then loop it on a dock cleat. Engage engine forward to tighten line and pull bow into the dock. Again this is a money versus skill issue. You could always add the thruster but still work on the technique and become a better/safer operator.
 
I just purchased a 390, and specifically looked for one with a bow thruster. I'm just learning to dock this boat, but I've found it's much easier to ignore the thruster and focus on the drive engines. I do have v-drive and I don't know how that compares to I/O. (my previous experience is with a twin engine jetboat and a single engine outboard.)

Knowing what I know now and IMO, if I didn't have a bow thruster, I wouldn't chop a hole in my boat to add one. It also won’t be a deciding factor in my next boat purchase.
 
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For the first time in years, two days ago I wished I had a bow thruster. Strong cross wind blowing off my dock and I share a slip with another boat. The way the gusts were blowing as soon as I started backing in, the wind would pivot the bow towards his boat. My guests were not boaters and were no help with getting the stern line cleated fast enough to pivot the bow once the stern was secure. Ended up asking the dock hands to assist. But in 12 years with this boat, that was the first time I wished I had a bow thruster.
 
Creekwood said:
For the first time in years, two days ago I wished I had a bow thruster. Strong cross wind blowing off my dock and I share a slip with another boat. The way the gusts were blowing as soon as I started backing in, the wind would pivot the bow towards his boat. My guests were not boaters and were no help with getting the stern line cleated fast enough to pivot the bow once the stern was secure. Ended up asking the dock hands to assist. But in 12 years with this boat, that was the first time I wished I had a bow thruster.
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I've been in this situation a couple times when single handling. I won't add the bow thruster but if I'm ever shopping another boat it would be required.
 
Generally speaking I do not need to use my bow thruster - however it does occasionally become a welcome addition and handy. It is certainly helpful when trying to walk the boat sideways to dock broadside. I have also found it handy in wider slips moving the bow over to the poles to make looping our lines easier.

-Kevin
 
we have found that in a southern wind, which blows us off the finger and into my neighbor, my wife can use the thruster to keep the bow against the dock while I finish untying the stern then I can get to the helm to take off.

I don't use it often but it's fantastic to have as a safety net.
 
Before you spend 10 boat bucks to install a thruster I'd examine the positioning of my boat before I tried going stern in.

We live in a windy area with winds out of the SW, often 20-30mph. I set my boat up so that I am backing upwind and just use the throttles to keep it aligned. I found it easiest to do if I stood facing the stern and worked the throttles with my left hand. (HINT: practice doing that on a calm day so you can get used to using your left hand.)

Another thing I learned: THERE IS NO SHAME IN A MISSED APPROACH. If you lined up the boat and found that as you're nearing the opening to the slip you're not going to make a good landing, pull away and start over.

The amount of fuel you'll burn in doing a second approach costs far less than your gelcoat repair guy.
 
I would not waste the money, i use motorcycle tires with pool noodles inside as shoes on my poles. I have a finger dock on 1 side and use a rope with pool noodles on the other. This way if the stern starts to go to my neighbors boat it hits the line and stops and will not hit his boat. Saved my boat several times when my neighbors tried docking on a windy day too
 
As a sid note...when the wind is really blowing, the bow thruster is useless compared to the thrust from the props and then you really wish you knew how to dock without one. Just sayin.
 
Gofirstclass said:
Another thing I learned: THERE IS NO SHAME IN A MISSED APPROACH. If you lined up the boat and found that as you're nearing the opening to the slip you're not going to make a good landing, pull away and start over.
Click to expand...

First thing learned when flying. But in this case your not going to tick off air traffic control for an overshoot and go around. If it's ok in a $30 billion aircraft, then it's more than ok in a $10k hunk of fiberglass.:cool:
 
If it’s not a financial hardship and you want it, go for it. I’ve never wanted less control of anything.

I’d love one on my high narrow single engine 260.

My dads 38 hardtop express had twin diesels and the thruster didn’t see much use but it was AMAZING to have the few times it was needes
 
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