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Post by Deleted on Nov 5, 2016 12:10:03 GMT
Has anyone used a bowthruster on an inland vessel? I've always seen them as superfluous extras and the first time I witnessed one being used on a narrow boat was at Penkridge in 1994. Narrow boat approaching lock making a funny noise I said "what's that noise?" The steered looked at me and grinned "I've got a bow thruster" then proceeded to whack the front into the side of the lock entrance quite hard . Oh dear. I guess they can be useful tools. I've been pinned to the bank once or twice by wind in my barge and had to reverse right out and turn 360 degrees to get off the side so maybe a BT would be useful. Definitely not necessary on well designed UK canal boats though  |
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Post by Delta9 on Nov 5, 2016 12:16:27 GMT
Not necessary but they come in really handy sometimes. Can't say I'd ever need to use one getting into a lock, but backing into a tight marina mooring on a windy day...
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Post by Deleted on Nov 5, 2016 12:37:03 GMT
Fist time I hired the boat had a bow thruster, I loved it, made getting off the bank and winding so easy and I could reverse in a sort of straight line even on my first day.
Second time I hired there wasn't a boat available with a BT, I was worried. Soon got used to it, even managed to moor in a space that was only about 6 inches longer than the boat.
I wouldn't buy a boat with one (unless it was one of the 'serious' ones), but each to their own.
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Post by patty on Nov 5, 2016 12:51:22 GMT
It is quite easy to blow the relay one side(guess how I know?)...which means directionally you only have assistance going left and furthermore they operate opposite way to tiller which means you push button the way you wanna go. Its possible I may have felt the need to mark with indelible ink arrows to help me decide which side to use...when both sides worked..
However(I'm rambling) when one way stopped working I didn't really miss it except for getting into Marina slot on windy day....but my neighbours soon realised it was wisest to help me out.
I did like the girly button....
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Post by bettina on Nov 5, 2016 13:09:17 GMT
Ours came with one, and we used it a lot while we were learning to maneuver the boat, especially getting onto and off our mooring in Braunston marina. But on our first trip down south, 'im at the back managed to break it in Braunston tunnel; that was 3 years ago, he hasn't even bothered to look to see what's wrong with it or how much it would be to have it fixed if unable to do it 'imself. We don't really miss it. Girly button - my arse! I never even got a chance to use the bloody thing before he broke it!!!  |
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Post by cuthound on Nov 5, 2016 13:18:11 GMT
After 40 years boating without one, I bought a second hand boat that had one already fitted.
Very handy for winding when it's windy and reversing, whether it is windy or not.
Wouldn't only get a boat with one though, but nice to have.
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Post by bargemast on Nov 5, 2016 13:43:23 GMT
It's nice to have one for certain situations, but you first have to make sure that you're capable of handling your boat without the need for one.
Every now and again I meet people that say they're broken down and can't go any further because their BT is broken.
On my commercial barges that I worked single handed (mainly 39meters) I never had a BT, but when I replaced a friend who needed to go somewhere while his barge, that was equipped with one, had to continue, I found it a great help, even more when cruising empty in strong sidewind on a fairly narrow canal with splitters moored on both sides, while going very slowly waiting for a bridge to be opened.
As with many things, there's a big difference between use and abuse.
Peter.
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Post by Saltysplash on Nov 5, 2016 16:00:56 GMT
Our current boat has one, 70' fatboat but its never been used and no batteries connected. If I have any trouble getting off the bank I use a spring
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Post by Deleted on Nov 5, 2016 16:10:47 GMT
Our current boat has one, 70' fatboat but its never been used and no batteries connected. If I have any trouble getting off the bank I use a spring The times I would have really fancied a bow thruster were when I was pinned by strong wind to a river bank with nothing to tie up to. I could have put a big mooring pin in and used a spring but by the time I got the pin back out the boat would probably be alongside the bank again. |
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Post by bills on Nov 5, 2016 16:39:07 GMT
They are great for reversing distances singlhanded. This year I reversed from the Jolly Boatman to the turning point At Thrupp services several times.
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Post by Trina on Nov 5, 2016 20:39:48 GMT
We had a 'girlie' button when we had the boat built in 2004 & I must admit I got very lazy & used it on the occasions I had to push off when I'd had to come into the side to wait for a lock (when I couldn't hover).We got a slight leak in the compartment earlier this year & had the tube end welded shut.Have I missed it?Not really,just got used to pushing the boat out myself when necessary😊.There have been a couple of times when Paul would have found a bow thruster useful for getting into tight spots in very windy weather...but nothing too awful.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 5, 2016 20:59:14 GMT
Our boat has a bowthruster, but it is rarely, if ever used. It's only a 55' boat.
However on those rare occasions, it's good to have the choice to use it.
Maffi says that for single handers it's the electric equivalent of a guy on the bow with a shaft to fend off. No disgrace to use one.
Rog
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Post by Telemachus on Nov 5, 2016 21:08:45 GMT
Our boat has a bowthruster. He's called Jeff. He even has the T shirt that says " I AM the bowthruster".
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Post by smileypete on Nov 5, 2016 21:56:15 GMT
On the Thames after a quiet winter, I liken the first ones I hear to be the distinctive springtime mating call of the yoghurt pots. |
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Post by phil70 on Nov 5, 2016 22:21:04 GMT
Our boat has a bowthruster. He's called Jeff. He even has the T shirt that says " I AM the bowthruster". The bow thruster on our boat is called Chris, to get it to work all I have to do is shout "Chris, Pole" Phil |
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