Bow Thruster - Ratings and Reviews

I’m in cold water with a short season. Growth is pretty much a non-issue regardless of thruster use or any other U/W hull items. I’ve never had a diver do anything.

By running it even if unnecessary, to start with. Or is there any reason why you couldn't?
That's part of my normal routine whenever I'm not moving the boat for some time.
As well as running the mains (putting then also in gear briefly) and genset.

I thought like a lot of the other captains that real skippers don't need no thruster! Then I bought a boat that had one....... Since then I have had them installed on two other boats that I bought. You don't need them often but they sure are nice when you need them. I bought a 50ft. Hatteras last fall and at 75 I decided to put both a bow and stern thruster on (variable speed) because I don't want her to jump off the boat when we dock to tie up the boat. With a variable speed thruster I can lay the boat against the dock or lock and set both on low power and I can leave the helm with a remote and I can get on the dock and she can hand me the lines and everyone is is happy.

Even though I’ve been docking commercial ships and boats for 36 years now add me to the amateur club I guess. I have no idea how one would reasonably get a line around a cleat and pull the boat over in the manner you suggest. And if you’re on a bow of a sport fisher with little to no rail, I would worry they might fall between the boat and the dock. The footing and purchase angle someone is pulling in from the dock is better in my opinion. Now I agree that nobody should be “jumping” off and onto the dock. I pull my stern to the dock and allow a deck hand to step off the boat and onto the dock and receive lines. I also don’t have cleats, my dock has 6x6 timber bull rails you tie off to or wrap around and back to the boat.

I always step off with a line in hand, unlike the 53 we had twenty years ago I can't walk out from the pilot house and tie off I have to come off the bridge. Since I have been single handing for over sixty years I do know how to handle a vessel, thanks for your imput.

PNW is lousy with dock bull rails. Someone has to get on the dock to get tied up. Departure is another story if you set it up properly. One can untie then board while the deck person can retrieve lines and depart.

When you are in Portland OR Pascal, we will show you. Funny, I have not seen a marina dock with them, only public/state park docks and fuel docks.

Back to bow thrusting. If you are into this you may want to look into DockMate integration ability. I am not sure but I think SidePower variable would be super cool to tie into the main gears and throttle. Imagine being at the bow tending to the ancor with a remote "dockmate" that synchs your bow thruster to the main engine while you raise and lower anchor. Hey, if you have a few boat buck to spend anyway...

the best way to keep it clean is a diver every 3-6 month

The idea of intergrating with the engines would be great but your engines have to be setup for electric interface and my 692's are not. I will be very happy with what I plan to do with the two thrusters.

Any Thoughts on ABT-TRAC thrusters ? I have an opportunity to pick up a bow and stern thruster for a great deal