Considering installing bow thrusters on single screw 268 Fours Winns.

[Janice Jackson]

Hi All

We dock in a very windy area in a busy Marina, and challenging with single screw. We are considering installing bow thrusters over the winter. Bit pricy but from what have read would make docking way easier and worry free. Does anyone have an experience in doing this with a four winns Or similar boat at all? Appreciate folks thoughts, ie concerns, pros, cons...will it really make a difference in ease of Docking, would it increase value of boat if decided to sell later or no?, etc. Boat is a 2005 Vista 268. thanks!

 

[alldodge]

Can be done but its a job. This guy did it on a 37 footer
http://formulaboatsforum.com/VBFORU...g-bow-thruster-in-a-370-SS&highlight=thruster

 

[tpenfield]

You can Google some YouTube videos of folks who have installed a bow thruster. You will need better than average fiberglassing skills as well as mechanical and electrical installation skills.

 

[Scott Danforth]

there are also the add-on bow thrusters like sideshift

Sideshift Bow Thrusters and Stern Thrusters

Take the stress out of docking your boat! Revolutionary bow and stern thruster technology sets the standard.

sideshift.com

Monohull Bow & Stern Thrusters

shop-us.sideshift.com

 

[Janice Jackson]

Thanks for the replies, if we are going to do we will have a marine shop install it. Concerned as to the look of the boat and ability to resale after, as they are more of an external mount that are visible, so does change the sleek nice design of the boat. But docking is defiantly a pain. Looking at side ones, yes similar to Sideshift, asking installer for make an picture if he can send. All of you being Boaters, and many fourwinn owners, appreciate your thoughts.

 

[tpenfield]

Most of the bow thrusters are done with putting a tunnel in the bow of the hull. It really won't affect the boat much and won't even be visible at harbor/docking speeds.

 

[alldodge]

BTW do you have a B3 or DP outdrive?
If not, suggest doing that before getting thruster

 

[tpenfield]

I will have to admit that when I had a single engine boat, using a bow thruster was considered cheating

 

[Janice Jackson]

I will have to admit that when I had a single engine boat, using a bow thruster was considered cheating

I hear ya! but be nice to have stress free docking, especially during windy days... likely will go out more with them

 

[Janice Jackson]

BTW do you have a B3 or DP outdrive?
If not, suggest doing that before getting thruster

Not sure ?

 

[Janice Jackson]

there are also the add-on bow thrusters like sideshift

Sideshift Bow Thrusters and Stern Thrusters

Take the stress out of docking your boat! Revolutionary bow and stern thruster technology sets the standard.

sideshift.com

Monohull Bow & Stern Thrusters

shop-us.sideshift.com

Yes that is what they said the install at their shop, asking more details as see there are various types, lowest one is a one prop which they note is for under 30ft, but would think 2 prop would work better... essentially they install it on the bow just above waterline and either has one prop on one side or one on each side.

 

[alldodge]

Not sure ?

Bravo 3 or Volvo duro prop - 2 props on one drive. The counter rotating allows the boat to back up straight

 

[tpenfield]

Yes that is what they said the install at their shop, asking more details as see there are various types, lowest one is a one prop which they note is for under 30ft, but would think 2 prop would work better... essentially they install it on the bow just above waterline and either has one prop on one side or one on each side.

That style would be an eyesore IMO. You mentioned a question about the value of the boat . . . this style might retract from the value vs. the traditional bow thruster design.

 

[Janice Jackson]

That style would be an eyesore IMO. You mentioned a question about the value of the boat . . . this style might retract from the value vs. the traditional bow thruster design.

Much belated reply as just got the boat back in….After mulling it over through the winter, reading the feedback here and further research we decided not to get bow thrusters. So no cheating . Belated Tks for all the feedback.

 

[billjbrown123]

I did bow and stern on a bigger boat. Best money I ever spent. Do it. I just sold that boat and got every penny back plus some. Mine was $25,000