Bow and Stern thruster upgrade on a 31PC


B

Bigguns59

Member
All,

Thinking about putting in a bow and stern thruster combo unit to help with docking and control. We usually have a very wicked cross-wind and large open fairways which make docking very trying. I am also trying to get the admiral into the drivers seat so I can enjoy the ride and handle the dock duties. :eek: I have listed links to the devices I am looking at and wonder if anyone has ever used them or know of someone who has installed these devices.

TIA

Stern Thruster:
http://www.side-power.com/public/templates/default.php?id=159&selected=2&selected2=159

Bow Thruster:
http://www.side-power.com/public/templates/default.php?id=74&selected=2&selected2=16

Control Module:
http://www.side-power.com/public/templates/default.php?page=51
 
I've actually looked into these a bit...just get nervous adding all those "holes" in my boat.

Also I know someone in my marina that has an older version of the bow thruster, and it just looks ugly while the boat is running...the how dang thing sticks out.

Not sure if they've made improvements...

I would also like my wife to dock, same reasons as yours...maybe I should spend some time digging back into this. Hopefully others will better experience will chime in.
 
probably a bow thruster would do for ya, that boat just ain't big enough for both IMO. I've seen the Vetus units on TV maybe give them a look. Also, Florida bow thrusters is a well known company.
 
I put a vetus in our 37pc from Florida bow thrusters.

And a side power stern in our 52 as it had a side power
bow from the factory.

I would never hesitate from using FBT at any time.
Always stand behind there products I posted pics of the 37 install
on this site.
Randy

Ps remember there is a lot of .02 on whether you should spend
for thrusters as the commercial says ( it is your money )
 
Bow thruster if needed, would not think of using the stern thruster on a boat like yours which moves fast. The bow thruster will come out of the water on plane the stern will not.
 
toofast said:
I would also like my wife to dock, same reasons as yours....
Click to expand...

Man, I can't get my wife to run the boat around the docks at all. "Side to" in an emergency is about all she would be good for. You guys need to counsel me on how you get the gals to take the helm around the docks....I'm lost on that one.

Enough thread creep. So on to the subject at hand:

The bow thruster really helps when docking in light to moderate cross winds. Albeit not IPS, there's a technique I have played with that works pretty well. If you have stern drives, it allows you to back straight in without drift in the cross current or cross wind condition. Just turn the stern drives slightly while backing in order to "pull" the stern against the current or wind drift. That makes the bow go the opposite way, right? That's where the bow thruster comes in. Timely input of bow thrust keeps the bow from drifting or naturally going in the opposite direction of the stern. With a little practice, it works like a champ. Won't work for "wicked" cross winds though, but it really does work if the wind is challenging, but not more than that.
 
Thanks for everyone's input. This system controls both thrusters from a single control. It allows you to use both thrusters at the same time. You can spin 360 and move the whole boat side to side almost like Axius or Zeus. You still have to use the engines for forward and back movement. Like I said in my first post is with the prevailing cross-wind and fairways I usually have to start my spin 15 or 20 ft before my finger pier and then hope the boat drifts sideways until I line up with the slip. Then I pop the B3's in rev to pull myself in. Problem is, I have another boat in my well that is to the downwind side and I always have to fight the wind from being pushed into him once I am in the well. With this setup I would have the ability to move the boat sideways and pin it against my protection rub rail on my finger pier until I can get a line on it. Another piece of this system would be a wireless remote which would let me control the thrusters from anywhere on the boat. I saw a demo video of this where the captain brought in a boat stepped off onto the dock and then used both thrusters to bring the boat to him and slip the dock lines on. Not sure if would have the BXLLS to step off my boat onto the dock without a line on it though :p :p The admiral has actually docked an IPS boat in in a test drive and she stated that if we could get almost that functionality she would be willing to give it a try with a lot of bumpers on. ;D ;D I really would like and Axius or Zeus boat but we have made so many updates to make this boat ours we don't want to get rid of it and neither does the Admiral ::) ::)
 
Tell your ladies that the 3 of us have been running & docking my 34 & 37 for 20 years...great fun....first one was Formula Tenns boat ..no thruster.. this 37 has a bow thruster. Been about 20, 000 miles... soon to retire to golf but will always miss the boating experience. Just practice to get confidence up...maybe learn with someone other than spouse. There are many tricks to learning for difficult situations. Also an experienced one on the lines can be invaluable.
 
i agree with seadoc, just try ta get'er to start taking the controls when conditions are optimal and i TOTALLY agree that assistance from a non-spouse makes a big difference too. either way would like to see which way ya end up going.
 
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