Single with stern thruster - no bow thruster

[hobbystuff]

I have owned a single engine trawler with no thrusters for the last 12 years. We did install a stern thruster 3 years ago and it has been a very nice addition. I have no trouble putting the bow where I want it to be most of the time and being able to move the stern without bumping ahead/astern is very useful. Here are some examples of how it has been helpful:

1. I can now back down a long fairway without having to constantly do the forward/reverse dance. Very handy.
2. We have a prevailing onshore breeze at my marina most of the time, along with a light onshore/offshore current depending on tide. The fairway is oriented parallel to the prevailing tide/breeze and my slip is 90 degrees to that. On departure I can back out of my slip and make the 90 degree turn to the bow oriented with the breeze/current very quickly, which makes things a lot easier.
3. On arrival to my slip, I can generally put the bow into the slip and maneuver in without having to use the thruster, but the momentum of the stern resulting from the 90 degree turn is very hard to stop without a blast of power. The stern thruster allows me to easily stop the momentum.
4. Arriving or departing a long side tie dock, usually in a snug spot between two boats, is much easier. Arriving I put the bow in, bring the stern in and stop it accurately. When departing in these situations I have always backed out. I still use a bigger fender up forward as a pivot, but we don't have to use the old power against a line trick to swing the stern out (along with that awkward occasion when the line snags and you can't get it to clear - I'm sure some of you have been there). It is very easy now, just use the thruster to put the stern out where I want it and back clear.
5. Our yacht club has an outstation with a dock that lies parallel to the shore, and shallows VERY quickly. To get onto the inside of the dock you need to do a full 180 around the end as the approach is parallel to the dock and there is little maneuvering room. There is often a breeze that works against you as you try to round that corner and stay out of the shallow bits. The stern thruster helps manage that by bring the stern around smartly without the boat moving. Same goes for leaving, as I can use the thruster to keep the bow where I need it relative to the breeze, and the stern out of the shallows. Similar situations at other marinas have cropped up as well.
6. In my cruising area it is quite common to stern tie in many anchorages. The ability to securely set my anchor, then let out a some chain and use the thruster to hold the stern while I nip in with the shore tie line is really handy if there is any cross breeze or current.
7. This one is a bit funnier. We were anchored in a location that is beautiful but exposed to a very long fetch. If the weather starts to turn, the swells start arriving well in advance. We had a lovely evening with flat calm and went to bed, but at 4am with no breeze or current to orient us, the swells arrived and we were lying beam to. We were woken by the occasionally very large rolling oscillations and decided to get underway. It was tough to make my morning coffee as the kettle and coffee pot kept trying to launch themselves off the stove while we were getting ready for departure in the dark. Other things were also starting to get tossed about. I used the stern thruster to swing us bow into the waves, and shortened up our scope to help hold us there. Worked like a charm allowing us to relax a bit and properly prepare before leaving.

Interestingly on my boat using the stern thruster pivots us about 1/4 of the way back from the bow which actually helps me put the bow where I need it as well.

My wife and I are very happy with the addition and it has really helped in tight quarters maneuvering, especially if I am running the boat on my own.

Cheers.

 

[captmikem]

Several years ago I was Captain and Project manager for a 154' yacht built in Maine. She had bow and stern thrusters. I found I rarely if ever used the stern thruster, and it was very pricy and complex to install.

 

[jleonard]

I had a 40 Albin single with a hydraulic stern thruster. It was awesome. I could put the boat anywhere I needed to. I owned the boat for 14 years and never wished I had a bow thruster instead of stern.
I’ll leave it at that.

 

[Mako]

Thank you everyone for your input

 

[Kaniksu]

That’s tough to answer. I think it would vary depending on the boat. If your boat has active and predictable prop walk, the bow thruster would be more valuable. I have a friend who’s boat backs straight no matter what. He would be served very well by a stern thruster.

I know that guy. My boat (single) has zero prop walk and it would be well served by a stern thruster. Like Bmarler, my bow thruster after 45 years creates only "essence" of movement and is not helpful in any wind. Bmarler is very good at grabbing a line as is Mrs. Bmarler. Maybe next year.

 

[Bmarler]

I know that guy. My boat (single) has zero prop walk and it would be well served by a stern thruster. Like Bmarler, my bow thruster after 45 years creates only "essence" of movement and is not helpful in any wind. Bmarler is very good at grabbing a line as is Mrs. Bmarler. Maybe next year.

Essence of movement, lol. That’s a very accurate description. Yours is the boat I was referencing.
Put that stern thruster on next years end of season projects.
Until then, we’re always happy grab a line for you.