Bow thruster control panel location

[Robert Tilbury]

Just a thought ,,if its reverced it will act the same as your tiller ,, push left to go right ect ??

[SaltyMetals]

I agree w Scotty. The best solution is actually two switches on the cockpit floor but i dont think our friend has a boat which is large enough to justify that. Best he uses his remote.
Andrew

[captmikem]

I have used thrusters on ships and yachts, I do not recall the markings. thrusters are simple like gear shifts; you push the lever/toggle in the direction you want the now to go.
even if you make a mistake they move slow enough you will soon realize you are pushing it the wrong way.
Just a tip, I see people new to thrusters over using them by a factor of ten or more, remember they are a bit slow to respond and do not stop the movement when you let off, so stop thrusting early.
also remember they do little to nothing above 2 or 3 kts of fwd speed.

[Mikado]

I think that the control should read exactly as it is supposed to.

Don't jimmy rig it with nail polish or the like.

Take it to your nearest nameplate engraver/trophy shop and explain what you need. They will engrave an overlay out of any color combination exactly as you want including cutting hole for the on/off switch, etc. In the end you will have a great looking joystick that reads 100% correct.

Jeff

[jack630]

Dont' bother re-painting the plate. You'll operate it entirely by feel and as someone else said, if the boat starts going the wrong way, push the stick the other way, it is a slow process. You could cover the plate with a piece of plastic with "port" and "starboard" printed on it.

I got the boat shaped joy stick for my sidepower so it wouldn't snag on ropes or clothing and it's mounted vertically on the side of my binacle, so I actually never see it. I push down for left and up for right. I have the remote but have never got used to using it.

[fastgrandad]

Thanks for all the advice.

The controller is a membrane push button type rather than joystick so options are limited. I've remarked the buttons anyway as I've spent the last few years getting my 'crew' to understand that red is port and is green starboard, so I can't start now telling her that the controller is 'different'!

Just imagine the problems I have in Caribbean when the red buoys are on the right going into port.

Paul