I just drill some big holes and stick it in right?http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Bow-Thruster-Full-Kit-12-Volt-Boats-8-5-to-12-5-metres-BOW5512-Vetus-55-kgf-/272213403614?hash=item3f612ee7de:g:b1cAAOSwlV9WS9S3
It's not about impressing the chicks I already do that with my boating skills. It's more the fact I single hand solo most of the time and my 12ton tub doesn't like going backwards and I feel I will come unstuck someday when entering or departing foreign ports.
Select to expand quotesouthace said..
It's not about impressing the chicks I already do that with my boating skills. It's more the fact I single hand solo most of the time and my 12ton tub doesn't like going backwards and I feel I will come unstuck someday when entering or departing foreign ports.
If it's big enough Southace, you should try using both hands...... 
PBO Practical Boat Owner had a good article on thruster installation. The fibre glass work it tricky, as is the mechanical support of the drive.
Why not try an electric outboard on the taffrail or a bracket off the stern that can counteract your prop walk?
Could be too small. I looked into putting one of the Vetus units in my 40 footer and the tunnel I installed was a 185mm. Didn't end up installing the rest as I just got better at handling (and planning) my departures and entries in to marinas. It would still be nice to have for those for pear shaped moments. Sometimes minties just don't cut it. 
This was the unit I was looking at. Lot cheaper now by the look of things. (tempted)http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Bow-Thruster-95-kgf-12-Volt-Boats-12-to-17-metres-BOW9512-Vetus-/272243353749
Don't they have water jet thrusters now. Just blows high pressure water through something
the size of a skin fitting??.
Select to expand quoteYara said..
Why not try an electric outboard on the taffrail or a bracket off the stern that can counteract your prop walk?
That's on my list SA but will have to wait a while.
That's exactly how mine will be NowandZen - I'm just worried about getting the holes right!!
For now I have an electric outboard which I extended the leg for those "pear shaped moments" - haven't had to use it yet!!
I don't use mine that much - kind of cheating really!
But when I do, I usually put full rudder on in reverse with the bow thruster assisting and it usually results in a sharp turn with the girls on the wharf throwing their knickers at me.
Southace, you must get one.
Stop showing of now n zen, I seen the sweat on your brow entering foreign ports! If I was on the helm with a bow thruster I would have been whistling when the saints come sailing home while sipping a strong scotch!
A water jet system would be possibly suitable for my application 1 1/2 fittings perhaps? Might have to give that a google tonight!
Not the best looking device, but installation looks pretty straight forward
www.yachtthruster.com/overview/
Jet thruster
www.jetthrusters.com
I need some weight in the bow she's stern heavy when the 1000 litre water tanks are full, can't see any prices for the Jet thrusters but would be ideal for me. Might even incoprate my holding tank to the jets!
That yacht thruster looks scary but easy to fit! I don't think I would go for one of them unfortantly. I might just stay away from marinas and invest in more solar and wind.
After watching this instulation video on jet thruster I think I will just make do with what I have!
No I have changed my mind, I'm going to move my liferaft forward and replace the little solar panel with a 200w panel and live of the grid starting September at this secret island Before heading town to Tassie for Christmas.
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/ANTENERGY-SOLAR-Mono-4BB-12V-220W-Solar-Panel-Caravan-Boat-Camping-Charging-200W-/351666528546
That Captain Ron is a legend and that movie is one of the funniest sailing movies yet, right up there with Alby Mangels and the World Safari series!
A very apt acronym that is regularly used on this forum is B.O.A.T but in this case and many other subjects I see on this forum another one springs to mind and that is K.I.S.S (Keep It Simple Stupid). I have worked with many civil engineers over the last 20 years that have tried to "invent a better mouse trap" and not one of them has succeeded, all they do is leave a legacy of cost that we as consumers and tax payers end up paying for.
Good thinking re increasing solar power and living away from the grid, I haven't spent that much time in marinas but to me it's like living on the streets in the city, the lights are always on outside and it's noisy, maybe even worse because you have to pay for the privilege.
I have a huge issue with cutting any holes in a seaworthy hull.
As far as docking goes....sometimes I'm great...often average ..and sometimes pretty poor.
I think its 99% in my mind...I know I can do it...I know I can and have done it well. ...I just can't seem to do it well consistently.
Besides....boats and wharfs are built to bump into each other...aren't they
