F26 Bow thruster

alexander38 · Post by **alexander38** » Sun Dec 26, 2010 6:13 pm

Just a basic knowledge test. The way I see it you can make all the laws you want a the only thing you do is get the govt deeper in your pocket and life and won't fix a thing. If a guy can't dock his boat then I hope he can write checks.

prowlersfish · Post by **prowlersfish** » Sun Dec 26, 2010 6:56 pm

alexander38 wrote:Just a basic knowledge test. The way I see it you can make all the laws you want a the only thing you do is get the govt deeper in your pocket and life and won't fix a thing. If a guy can't dock his boat the I hope he can write checks.

I have always said If a guy can't Fix his boat the I hope he can write checks. Thank goodness I can fix a boat cuse the checks would bounce

Allen Sr · Post by **Allen Sr** » Sun Dec 26, 2010 7:55 pm

prowlersfish wrote:
alexander38 wrote:Just a basic knowledge test. The way I see it you can make all the laws you want a the only thing you do is get the govt deeper in your pocket and life and won't fix a thing. If a guy can't dock his boat the I hope he can write checks.

I have always said If a guy can't Fix his boat the I hope he can write checks. Thank goodness I can fix a boat cuse the checks would bounce

Paul you and I can both write checks! Just whoever recieves them better not drop them huh? Thats what I'm doing with my slip renewal!!!

gettaway · Post by **gettaway** » Sun Dec 26, 2010 7:57 pm

He could use silicone!

Allen Sr · Post by **Allen Sr** » Sun Dec 26, 2010 8:16 pm

gettaway wrote:He could use silicone!

Ever try to catch a ball of silicone once its cured and you drop it?

Paul · Post by **Paul** » Sun Dec 26, 2010 10:27 pm

Allen Sr wrote:
alexander38 wrote:We're getting there Va. is fazing it slowing with age time lines..
Tony, is it just a basic knowledge or skills test to? I know a while back in another post there was discussion about it and a link to it. IMO if its just basic knowledge thats really no good, (better than nothing I guess). How many times have you seen people educated way beyond their intelligence just bang the s<#& out of their boat, the dock, and other peoples boats just to get in or out of their slip? And just didn't care?

Is it possible that rsciolino, the guy who started this post, is considering installing a bow thruster as insurance against "bang the s<#& out of their boat, the dock, and other peoples boats just to get in or out of their slip?" After all, isn't it better for him to spend his money on his own boat as opposed to spending it repairing someone else's.

I have one of these boats and have learned how to get it in and out of tight spots and more importantly, how not to get into places that I shouldn't be. There are days when I'm in a tight marina with the wind and prop walk working against me while backing into a slip. On these days a bow thruster would make thing easier since I don't have twins to pivot with. For me however the loss of storage space wouldn't be worth it just to have another toy on the boat.

To answer rsciolino' s question, on this boat it would have to be located forward of the bulkhead mid way in the V berth. Depending on the type you purchase, you may have to notch out the plywood that supports the insert cushion for the dinette when not in use. Keep in mind that batteries give off explosive gases when charging and discharging so you might consider mounting it in the engine bay where there's ventilation. Be sure to use the appropriate gauge cables.

prowlersfish · Post by **prowlersfish** » Sun Dec 26, 2010 10:32 pm

gettaway wrote:He could use silicone!

Again silicone is wrong for the job , it will bounce to much LOL , wait maybe be its the right stuff this time

prowlersfish · Post by **prowlersfish** » Sun Dec 26, 2010 10:59 pm

Heres a lower cost one looks nice

http://www.wmjmarine.com/w591402.html

Paul · Post by **Paul** » Sun Dec 26, 2010 11:17 pm

Nice unit for the money. Would probably have to be tilted forward about 45Â° to make it fit.

Big D · Post by **Big D** » Sun Dec 26, 2010 11:44 pm

The Sideshift mentioned earlier by captainmaniac is a real easy install. I installed a stern unit on a trawler that had no room for a through transom unit. It was a piece of cake to install. I did not hang it off the swim platform as shown on thier web site, rather, I bolted to the transom. Four bolt holes and a hole for the cable which is hidden behind the tube/mounting plate. The manufacturer here in Ontario was great to work with. You give them the length of tube you want and they build to your spec. It has been in use for three years and the owner is extremely happy with it. I personally think a stern thruster is better than a bow unit, after all, we steer by shifting the position at the stern not the bow. The single screw wants to torque the stern one way in reverse, the best place to couteract that is at the stern. As for the cost, unless you're really good at glass work yourself, and figuring out the geometry of where a bow unit should go, you'll easily eat up the savings for a regular unit in the installation alone.

captainmaniac · Post by **captainmaniac** » Mon Dec 27, 2010 10:07 am

Big D wrote:I personally think a stern thruster is better than a bow unit, after all, we steer by shifting the position at the stern not the bow.

Yes, but the main point (I think) is that a lot of people want or need bow thrusters because they think they can drive a boat like a car, and steer from the front. When the bow doesn't just go where they turn the wheel, they think they need help to push it (instead of learning the dynamics of the boat and working with that).

Oh, and by the way - the 36 Trojan I saw the Sideshift on the bow of -- was basically the same model as yours (+/- a year or two)!!!! The owner (allegedly) has a quarter million in upgrades in it (including a couple of diesels that apparently cost 60K each, Stidd helm seats, extended bridge, Glendinning Cablemaster system, custom swim platform, and other upgrades), everything done in a way that it looks like it belongs there.... and then this Sideshift hanging off the bow.

prowlersfish · Post by **prowlersfish** » Mon Dec 27, 2010 10:36 am

I do think its neat having both bow and stern thrusters . makes for easy side to docking . But I will stick to no thrusters . I also love being told you can't get your boat in( or out of ) there and then do it . I love squeezing in at the fuel dock I go to . the others boater go in to a panic as I put My boat where they think it wont fit ( between 2 boats ) . The dock hands just smile cuz they know me .

One of life's simple pleasures

yes I am a trouble maker

Allen Sr · Post by **Allen Sr** » Mon Dec 27, 2010 10:40 am

prowlersfish wrote:yes I am a trouble maker

I do believe most of us already realize that!!

alexander38 · Post by **alexander38** » Mon Dec 27, 2010 10:57 am

Your a PITA too.

prowlersfish · Post by **prowlersfish** » Mon Dec 27, 2010 11:01 am

Thats cuze I go by real word not always by the book , and tell it like it is .

And you 2 do your share

Trojan Boat Forum

F26 Bow thruster

lower cost thruster