Cost of installing a bow and a stern thruster

There are so many variables, electric or hydraulic, size etc.. Honestly, I cut my teeth running a 58' Hatteras YF, the stern of those boats walk REALLY well just by splitting the engines (1 fwd, 1 reverse) that I wouldn't even bother installing a stern thruster. A Bow thruster would probably cost $20-25k installed, but why not pick up the phone and call a few places, they should be able to quote that right on the phone as it's the same boat as the 53' MY (with a cockpit).

Around $30,000 installed - plus haulout cost.

Have to agree with Pascal and J. These boats just don't need a stern thruster. You can bring them virtually sideways with just the motors and a little help from a bow thruster. On the 56 our bow thruster cut out in a really tight fairway going into a really tight slip down in Cape May and it was no problem to pivot in with just the motors. They handle good.

Would not say "absolutely" depending on the boat. Some very light, shallow dr boats can be a nightmare to dock in heavy wind. I distinctly remember having to dock a 38' aft cabin SR on a canal w/ 60kt winds blowing across that required going into the slip at full throttle reverse then full forward to keep from ending up in the parking lot. A stern thruster would definitely have eased the stress. But not needed on a big Hat at 70,000+lbs and a 5' draft.

Lol I used to agree that stern thruster isn’t needed, but after having one for last 4 months I have to say it’s kinda nice. And I’d say a little less dock rash. I can get the boat in the slip well clear of the dock, and then just thrust over a bit. I’ve onLy popped the circuit once. I try to not go more than 7-9 seconds per burst. Which is plenty.

Our current boat is a first for thrusters, has hydraulic bow and electric stern thruster. I find myself using both when docking. I would not add a stern thruster to a boat but both are a real convenience when docking and handline lines. Not a necessity but I will miss the stern thruster if we have another boat without one.

Got you, we run a 72 Choey Lee. Our thrusters won't overcome strong current or wind. I would think twice about docking in adverse conditions unless the slip setup was right. When away from our home dock I prefer laying up against a dock, makes it easier if conditions are not good. My Gal helps with the lines but can't muscle them, the thrusters make that much easier.

After observing many a McAllister tug tie up on the Delaware River in Philly with just a forward spring line an leave it in gear to pull the boat in and hold it at the dock. A spring line is your friend. This being said you need to make sure what you are tying up to is solid. Especially if you plan to leave it in gear while getting you other lines on.

Anyway fore and aft springs work wonders, including in windy ,nasty , heavy current situations. Both for getting into the dock and away from the dock. BUT a good deck hand is sure nice to have to do this.

Hence a thruster might be nice at times when things are calm as the other have said.

Yes, spring lines can work wonders. They can also be very dangerous if a cleat lets go or a line parts. And, you have to crew that has any clue what a spring line even is, let alone how to properly work a spring line.
My bow thruster was one of the best investments I ever made on my boat. I don’t have to have it but it sure is convenient. I deal with lots of wind and current and having a thruster for those tight fuel dock spots or fish processing drop offs sure reduces the stress. The only down side is now I don’t have a good excuse to yell at my crew

I agree with all of it, it was a lot easier when the yachts were slower and had much less torque for their size and you could put the engines in gear for several seconds at a time to work a spring line, now with the extra hp and bigger wheels, a lot of yachts it’s hard to work a spring without worrying about yanking the cleat out or piling down.

I see a lot of people saying 'I can dock using gears, but thrusters are so convenient'. The problem is an old saying, "Use it or lose it". GPS and chart plotters are "convenient". I wonder what percentage of current boaters are able to plot a course on paper and follow it if their electronics goes down. I also wonder how many people who have learned to depend on thrusters to maneuver their boats will be able to do it when their thrusters crap out. Are we in a phase where boat handling skill no longer matters? If you can drive an Uber will that mean you're qualified to captain a boat?

Granted, I may lose my touch a bit and not be as smooth getting into the slip or a tight spot without my thruster. However, I have no doubt I can safely dock the dock boat if the thruster goes down. We should all worry much more about the first time boat buyer/owner with joystick docking controls and having them have to dock their boat when their controls and/or thrusters go down as they have likely never docked manually. These situations make for entertaining videos though