Leaving the marina and returning to the dock are the two most anxious moments in a boaters day. After all if you mess up it is a little embarrassing. I for one will admit to one very embarrassing departure on board my Back Cove 29. Luckily for me there were only a couple of dock boys who witnessed my stupidity and a kind word to them ensured that the story would go no further. IN truth I bet they are still laughing about it in the dock boats office at the marina.
My error was to leave the dock with the powercord still attached. OK there I said it OK? I was truly surprised at how that tether controlled my desire to turn port and go ahead until I finally realized what was happening.
Not that a stern thruster has anything at all to do with power cords but one sure way to look like a pro both coming and going is to use a stern thruster installed. I was not a huge fan until I tried one after all is it really manly to have people know that you have one? One day I was discussing this with a very experienced professional captain and his advice was "use whatever tools you have available to make all of your maneuvers as smooth and as safe as you can". I can tell you that now I impress even the real;ly experienced guys with by comings and goings, in any wind and tide conditions.
In this image you can see the thruster body and on either side a downward facing cowl which prevents to thruster from sucking air down and into the tube and increases efficiency. One you try one you won't want to be without it.
I was just thinking about Stern Thrusters and Avoiding being the Laughing Stock and you've really helped out. Thanks!
Posted by: Yachtcharter Griechenland | February 06, 2010 at 06:25 AM
Took delivery of my new Back Cove 37 last week. Second time out docked at a restaurant for dinner. I was given a spot about two feet longer than the boat to dock with about 150 people on the deck observing! Talk about breaking out in a sweat! Thanks to the thrusters I put the boat right in there like a pro.
Posted by: Donald Fagelman | September 01, 2009 at 11:04 AM
The stern thruster is a great tool. Combined with the bow thruster the my 29 will turn in it's own axis. My marina has limited space, a very narrow channel, especially at low tide, and the thrusters get me in and out of the slip without a problem.When the other boat owners come down to help me dock, they are amazed how the boat lands. They now do not come to help anymore. The only problem I have is with the barnicle growth on that rear thruster, inside, outside and on the plastic prop, reducing efficiency.For some reason this year has been quite difficult.I find myself using a snorkle, mask, rubber gloves , and a plastic spatula to get rid of the critters.The bow thruster seems to avoid this problem. Next season I will check into getting the unit painted with anti fouling paint to try and stop the growth.
Posted by: Chauncey Johnstone | August 16, 2009 at 08:58 AM
Bentley,
Couldn't agree more about a stern thruster. My co captain pushed for it and she was so right. Better handling than any twin screw I ever owned.
Now if only it would warm up and stop raining before Summer ends.
John
Posted by: John Flaherty | June 23, 2009 at 05:59 PM