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Old 14-01-2015, 06:49   #16
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Re: Bow thruster on a catamaran, really?

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If I was the buyer and that was the only difference, I think I'd opt for the non-thruster cat. Then I wouldn't have to defend it whenever asked why in the world did I have such a thing.

They are more defensible on bloated beasts, but then again, so are granite counter tops....

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Why a bow thruster on anything?

In my marina, I watch commercial fishermen move huge single engine fishing trawlers maneuver around like they are cars in parking lots without any problems at all from crosswinds.

As mean as it sounds, the need for just about any bow thruster can be negated with superior boat handling skills (and, I say that not having a bow thruster on my 42 sailboat and wishing I did on some days).
Your both absolutely correct.
However part time sailors dont or cant take the time to learn good skills. For the rest of us even knowing the maintenance issues, Its still nice to have the added push or pull on miserable windy days in an enclosed area.

Truth be told? I would buy the one with the thruster......
In my defence, I would not get granite worktops........
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Old 14-01-2015, 06:57   #17
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Re: Bow thruster on a catamaran, really?

Check out the yards and you will see lots of power boats with big inboards that also have bow thrusters.

As long as you don't become overly reliant on it, it's a nice toy.
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Old 14-01-2015, 07:46   #18
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Re: Bow thruster on a catamaran, really?

I was on a FP cat that had 2 bow thrusters, one in each hull, tied to a single control so they worked together.


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Old 14-01-2015, 07:51   #19
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Re: Bow thruster on a catamaran, really?

I tend to start my analysis by trying to get a good feel for what an owner will be using a boat for and then selecting a boat to meet those needs.

A boat an owner wants to cruise in the Bahamas only anchoring out would be unlikely to need bow thrusters while an arm chair admiral who has a slip in a marina with narrow approach with lots of traffic might make more use of bow thrusters. I know many cruisers who never or almost never have their boat in a slip, and are able to pick an idea wind and current if they do dock. Bow thrusters would not be a realistic option for them.

I also have to wonder just how much a bow thruster would help a part time unskilled skipper. Bow thrusters are not fool proof and they are making better fools every day.

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Old 14-01-2015, 07:54   #20
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Re: Bow thruster on a catamaran, really?

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I was on a FP cat that had 2 bow thrusters, one in each hull, tied to a single control so they worked together.
But did it have bidets in all three heads?
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Old 14-01-2015, 10:01   #21
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Re: Bow thruster on a catamaran, really?

No and I think I recall it having 5 heads. The head in the crew quarters might have been removed or was just buried under supplies leaving a mere 4 heads for 5 persons.


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Old 19-01-2015, 12:16   #22
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Re: Bow thruster on a catamaran, really?

I know a 50' cat owner who insisted on bow thruster when the boat was built. And he is not an inexperienced cruiser. They already did one extended circumnavigation on their previous cat. Go figure.
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Old 19-01-2015, 12:44   #23
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Re: Bow thruster on a catamaran, really?

With twin screws and a BT, you can go sideways or pull the vessel laterally.

I used to hold offshore supply vessels alongside oil rigs with twin screws and a BT. This could not be done if it was a single screw with a BT or a twin screw without a BT.

Many passenger vessels have twin azipods with a BT or twin screws with a BT. This does not mean the operators are amateurs. It does mean the ship is more maneuverable in docking situations and can also eliminate the cost of hiring one or two tugs, depending.
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Old 19-01-2015, 14:10   #24
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Re: Bow thruster on a catamaran, really?

The question isn't does a bow thruster make a boat more manageable, rather is the added weight, power requirements, required maintenance, cost, ect a reasonable trade off for what a bow thruster brings. If you only sail afternoons or weekends and have to move your boat sideways thrusters may make sense. If you are cruising from anchorage and only dock once every couple of years for a haul out and bottom job the boat bucks may be better spent elsewhere.

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Old 19-01-2015, 14:44   #25
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Re: Bow thruster on a catamaran, really?

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With twin screws and a BT, you can go sideways or pull the vessel laterally.

I used to hold offshore supply vessels alongside oil rigs with twin screws and a BT. This could not be done if it was a single screw with a BT or a twin screw without a BT.

Many passenger vessels have twin azipods with a BT or twin screws with a BT. This does not mean the operators are amateurs. It does mean the ship is more maneuverable in docking situations and can also eliminate the cost of hiring one or two tugs, depending.
Absolutely. I like having options. Cats are pretty maneuverable, but Cats are even more maneuverable with thrusters. I'll take Hamilton Jets and a thruster- provided some one else is paying (install and maintenance).

Many of these big Cats are so expensive, they aren't really for the do it yourself boaters, they are toys for people with deep pockets. If your dropping a $1 000 000 on a toy, why not drop $1 015 000 on a toy you don't look like a dufus docking.
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Old 19-01-2015, 19:32   #26
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Re: Bow thruster on a catamaran, really?

Mmmm if you put bow thrusters on a +50 ft monohull power boat with twin screws, nobody says a word, put them on a cat and look what happens....

Strange world...
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Old 19-01-2015, 19:38   #27
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Re: Bow thruster on a catamaran, really?

Mate of mine has one on a Lagoon 440. Not because he wanted one but the vessel he purchased second hand had one fitted as well as a roller boom furling main. Life is tough sometimes.
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Old 19-01-2015, 21:55   #28
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Re: Bow thruster on a catamaran, really?

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Mmmm if you put bow thrusters on a +50 ft monohull power boat with twin screws, nobody says a word, put them on a cat and look what happens....

Strange world...
Yup.


Then they drag granite countertops and bidets into it as well!! Oh, the humanity!
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Old 19-01-2015, 21:57   #29
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Re: Bow thruster on a catamaran, really?

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Yup.


Then they drag granite countertops and bidets into it as well!! Oh, the humanity!
OK........... you talked me into to it......... I will take all three.
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Old 19-01-2015, 22:17   #30
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Re: Bow thruster on a catamaran, really?

So, having never tried this out at all, what happens when you use a thruster where its outwash hits the other hull? Would that not tend to negate the desired net thrust somewhat?

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