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Old 04-10-2021, 11:39 AM   #13
rgano
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City: Southport, FL near Panama City
Vessel Name: FROLIC
Vessel Model: Mainship 30 Pilot II since 2015. GB-42 1986-2015. Former Unlimited Tonnage Master
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,984
Quote:
Originally Posted by sunchaser View Post
MPJ
On a twin engine boat a pro can do quite well in a fishing or commercial boat where hull bruises are acceptable. On a 50' nicely finished boat it is well worth the cost to have a bow thruster. Peace of mind, marital bliss, few boat scars and happy mooring mates in a tight slip are just a few of the advantages.

I've been at this for over 60 years. Our current boat, purchased new, was not equipped with a bow thruster. After four years one was installed. It was a very good decision for our boat and in our case.
I whole heartedly agree. My first experience of handling anything more than the family runabout was a twin screw vessel (80-footer yard patrol craft) in 1965, and I grew up from there thinking that twin screws was quite enough and later came to call thrusters "cheaters." I now laughingly call my own thruster my cheater! A professional like me does not shun any tool offered to him and never gets overly dependent on any of them, including those twin engines!
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Rich Gano
FROLIC (2005 MainShip 30 Pilot II)
Panama City area
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