MT Nest
Veteran Member
Has anyone had any experience with the "Sideshift" stern thruster. Thinking about installing one on a 36' Monk. Single screw with bow thruster. First Mate thinks it will help make her life easier.
I don't need it but the second in commad is asking about it. I agree with more practice. Gotta keep em happy.
MT Nest said:I don't need it but the second in commad is asking about it. I agree with more practice. Gotta keep em happy.
Is anyone going to answer the OP question or are you going to just go right back to the tired old thruster argument? ;-)
Don't know about anyone elses' thousands of hours and hundreds of boats I have deliveredI would think the old tired argument is whether to do what the first mate/admiral wants because it is "thought ot be a good idea" or get the real skinny from people with experience...but your right...we should answer the question...
... which I can't because I have no experience with stern thrusters at all despite thousands of hours and hundreds of boats I have delivered...so they must not be too popular no natter what brand.
Has anyone had any experience with the "Sideshift" stern thruster. Thinking about installing one on a 36' Monk. Single screw with bow thruster. First Mate thinks it will help make her life easier.
Is anyone going to answer the OP question or are you going to just go right back to the tired old thruster argument? ;-)
Has anyone had any experience with the "Sideshift" stern thruster. Thinking about installing one on a 36' Monk. Single screw with bow thruster. First Mate thinks it will help make her life easier.
Is anyone going to answer the OP question or are you going to just go right back to the tired old thruster argument? ;-)
. Chastising those who deviate slightly from your expectations may not prove to be productive.
We wouldn't pay money to have a bow or stern thruster (or both) installed on our boat but if it had them we'd use them. The GB36 we chartered was a single with a bow thruster and we had no qualms about using it despite the gravel-in-a-cuisinart sound.
......snip...
himself is confident running a single without one. The fact that other boaters don't like or want one is sort of irrelevant.
There can be some situations-- as have been related in this forum from time to time when the stern thruster topic has come up--- in which the ability to move the stern with a thruster can be beneficial. Without knowing the OP's specific situation it's impossible to judge if a stern thruster would make a challenging task less challenging in his case.
But it's not uncommon for marinas in this area to have adverse currents and winds throw a monkey wrench into the most skilled skipper's intentions. The few boaters I've met who had stern thrusters installed all said, as I recall, they installed them to deal with a very specific situation they regularly encountered, like getting into their own slip.
To me, thrusters are somewhat like our propulsion engines except that it moves a vessel sideways as opposed to forward and backward. I wonder how the "set-in-their-ways" type people felt when engines were first introduced into boating. Did they say that it was a crutch, and that one will not sail or paddle very well when the engine fails? Just wondering.
Neither set in my way or stupid...to suggest that someone waste their time with thrusters is definitely foolish.
It was the best $2,815.00 I have ever spent. My wife and I (Weekend boaters) now won't be getting a divorce.
Oh, and I love the tenacity and conviction you have.....I am sure you're one hell of a boat captain.
2 questions...
1. do you have both bow and stern?
No, just a Stern..... but my Father (owns Montery Jack in my pic) may get the Stern thruster next (already has a Bow). They are nearing 70 years old. My mother who has had Juvenile diabetes since she was a young girl, shouldn't be helping him dock as much as she does. I believe it is a wise decision for THEM to have both. That way they can continue doing what they love to do into their 70's and maybe beyond, God willing.
2. do you practice occasionally without them or feel you have some skill level past "hands off docking"?
Sometimes I don't need the thruster. But anytime I am docking in a tight fit marina with current...... you betcha, I use it.
Skill Set is learned over time. And I hope to one day be a stellar skipper like you apparently are. Training wheels (thrusters) are a useful tool for anyone just getting started in boating a larger vessel. Boy did I need those training wheels.
... which I can't because I have no experience with stern thrusters at all despite thousands of hours and hundreds of boats I have delivered...so they must not be too popular no natter what brand.
mahal said:Boats with bow and stern thrusters are not that uncommon. They are mostly found on boats owned by people with little ego and plenty of disposable income.
Neither set in my way or stupid...to suggest that someone waste their time with thrusters is definitely foolish.
Why not suggest they rip everything out and put in some pod drives and joy sticks so you can not only go sideways and fore/aft...but you can go in ANY direction using your primary propulsion so you can overcome any wind/current.
Plus... we can stop the anchoring arguements too because now we can do dynamic positioning with the proper electronics.
Since you don't understand my point very well I thought I'd go to the extreme to show yours.....