Is a bow thruster required on Ducks?

I own a 42' steel boat and as my father says she "turns on a dime and gives nine cents change." When I purchased the boat, I figured that a thruster was in my future, but she doesnt need one. I turn her hard over and tap the throttle and she pivots right over, very nice.

At full speed (7 knots ) She is VERY nimble.

I am NOT knowledgable in this area, but from what I can figure out from reading, its because I have a barn door for a rudder and a relatively flat hull up front.

So do Ducks NEED a bow thruster, or is it just a gizmo?

If it's really blowing, One usually doesn't have time for the thruster. That being said, I'm installing one in my 38'Duck. Thrusters make docking easier with a cocktail in hand :^)

-Wendell
Building Helge

quote:

<snjip> Thrusters make docking easier with a cocktail in hand :^)

-Wendell
Building Helge

ok,
thats the only valid reason I have EVER heard for having thrusters.

When I dock its very focused, I cant imagine another control in the way to distract me. I have plenty of authority without the thruster.

I guess I just need to drive a full displacement hull and see how she handles.

Everybody that I have spoken with that already owns a Duck or is getting one either has it, wants it or is going to add it.

While they are not technically necessary they are a benefit to have even for skilled skippers. Plus they are an expected device to have in the resale market.

Very few boaters or reviewers would consider a bow thruster on a 60,000lb boat handled by just a couple of people an extravagant add on.

My two cents is to get one.


Hugh

I have logged many hours of navigating locks with Twin and Single engine boats without thrusters. Although I have developed great skills, A thruster is nice in strong winds or current and can soften the blow when docking, saving hours of labor in repainting.

A thruster is nice if you enter a tight marina and need to turn around in a strong wind.

A stern thruster is probably overkill, because it is just as easy to turn the rudder hard over and give a short blast of prop wash out either side to cushion the docking, If you have a bow thruster, you could walk the boat sideways with the thruster and hard over prop wash use in conjunction with each other. Do the opposite for a 360 degree turn.

These boats are steel, so you can gently put the bow against the dock at a 50 degree to 90 Degree angle, put the engine in forward after contact has been made, turn her hard over giver her some throttle and the boat will pivot to about 50 degrees in the opposite direction, then back away. Nice way to turn in a tight marina. You have to have some skill in doing this though, so practice in a remote area first. You might also want to a rubber block at the bow similar to what tug boats have for pushing barges.

Update to my previous post, only put the bow against a wooden dock or a steel dock with rubber bumpers. Concrete walls can only be done with sufficient shock absorption materials built into the bow. Fenders of course don’t count since they are not bolted down and will pop out on you. Approach has to be dead slow, neutral with slight minimal headway is even better, after slight bounce and a sold contact, motor can then be put forward. Hit hard and there will likely be damage to the boat or dock. It takes very precise skill to do this. You have to know the boats speed relative to the dock and back down hard before impact and contact to soften the blow to an absolute minimum. Not an easy thing to accomplish in strong currents and winds. This maneuver can only take place when the conditions are suitable. Don’t attempt if wind, water and boat are moving too fast.

You don't need a bow thruster if you do not know the basics of manouvering and comming alongside or departing using springs...as you will still stuff it all up....it is easy to learn and you will find pleanty of people happy to help if you ask around....it is all about learning...and when you have "got It" then you will realise how handy a bow thruster is on a very heavy full displacement boat.....I have years of experience and should know how to do it, having owned all manner of boats up to 120ft and 600tons..( which did not have a bow thruster!) but the bow thruster on ICE is a vital tool.......Hope I don't scratch Bill's flash red paint job too early....