Offshoreonly.com - Bow Thruster

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Quote:

Originally Posted by outonsafari (Post 4852930)

https://www.yachtthruster.com/
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...212e58878e.jpg
way better looking than the exposed prop version.
i like the jet thruster idea too

Id be worried one good wave would rip that thing off and secondly that is so ugly.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 36Tango (Post 4852398)

At LOTO we have a Formula 370SS to use as our "SUV" on the water. We do not have any interest at this point of moving to a center console, as the Formula covers all of our bases. Anyway, the ONE thing that I do not like about it is that it sucks backing into slips. We have Volvo Penta DuoProp drives and when the are both in reverse, the boat tends to "crab" instead of straight. The forward is also quite a bit faster at idle than reverse, so sometimes I end up having to dick with the throttles also. Of course wind and waves also throws a curveball into the best laid plans. This is nowhere close to a direct drive with rudders that can be maneuvered like a skidloader. I am sure that I have a couple of thousand hours with twins (outboards/stern drives, true inboards), with much of it being at LOTO where docks can be tight and the boat in other slips are expensive!!!!

Annnyyywwaay, I got the idea last week about adding a bow thruster to our Formula. For those of you that have them or have added them, what has your experience been? Great, just OK, or someplace in between. To have Florida Bowthrusters add it would cost about $12,000. Seems worth it to me, but any input would be appreciated!

Man I thought my 330 with B3s spun great. I didn’t have an arch so it probably didn’t catch as much wind.

Quote:

Originally Posted by hogie roll (Post 4852969)

Man I thought my 330 with B3s spun great. I didn’t have an arch so it probably didn’t catch as much wind.

I had B3’s on another boat and they did fine. 4 foot longer and a Bimini that is always up would certainly make a difference. At LOTO, many times we are fighting wave action along with being amidst allot of fine hardwar3.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ICDEDPPL (Post 4852967)

Id be worried one good wave would rip that thing off and secondly that is so ugly.

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...c49526ab7b.jpg
Come on man this is more streamlined than the sideshift plus it's a heavy aluminum casting.

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...9746bb72c0.jpg
Granted the first one looks like that thing that hangs down between the buffalo's legs but the salad shooter in pic 2 looks like a couple of trolling motors clamped together.

Tango, 7 grand holy crap an external should be the less expensive alternative.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 36Tango (Post 4853006)

My 330 was on LOTO. Only problem with B3s is the fast idle speeds

I talked to both the Yacht Thruster and the Florida Bow Thruster folks at the Miami Boat Show yesterday. The Yacht Thruster guy told me that it was more designed for "slower" boats. It would work great as a thruster, but could be a bit of a "Brake" and could get some splash in rougher water (we are at LOTO). Besides, really ugly. Scratch that one.

Florida Bow Thruster guys were great to talk to and I like the product. They had nothing good to say about the jet thruster. They told me that jet thrusters were installed on "allot" of MTI's, but then they were removed as they did not work well. Does anybody have any real world knowledge of jet thrusters not working? They told me $14k for a complete install at LOTO.

Jet thrusters were not at the show. That said, we ordered in some nozzles and one of the electric valves so that we can at least mock it up in the Formula. Because of the stringer location, I dont think that we will be able to get an exact parallel (with the water line) thrust line, but pretty close. We will not be doing any stringer modification (I would think that the Florida Thruster would go through them also?) I think that we have the hose location pretty well figured out, but I am certain that it will be tough bending it through where we need to go. We will mock it up in a few weeks and make a decision.

A company said the other guys product is crap go with us? You don`t say!! :D
Call jet thruster and see if they`ll give you references ..

Quote:

Originally Posted by ICDEDPPL (Post 4859450)

A company said the other guys product is crap go with us? You don`t say!! :D
Call jet thruster and see if they`ll give you references ..

I did find it odd when they said that a “bunch” of MTI’s tore out the jet system. True or bull****?????

From the videos, the jet thrusters look like they move a lot a water. Also if service is needed, I would much rather remove a pump inside the hull for a jet thruster than deal with a built-in bow thruster.