Bow Thruster for Cape Dory sail boats

[Bill Brockschmidt]

What are the pros and cons of having a bow thruster installed on a sail boat?

Bill Brockschmidt
CD-28 - "DULCINEA"
Sailing the Chester River from Chestertown, MD



wbrocksc@friend.ly.net

[Eric]

On a CD28? I can't imagine why that would be something you would want. Those are for ocean liners, tugboats and rich-guy stinkpots. Right?

ew

What are the pros and cons of having a bow thruster installed on a sail boat?

Bill Brockschmidt
CD-28 - "DULCINEA"
Sailing the Chester River from Chestertown, MD

[Randy Bates]

I can understand the why. Seeing as how the bow of my CD25D blows off the wind as soon as it gets the chance. The only disadvantage that I can see is the addition of another fairly complex, expensive system. I'd love to be able to hold "Seraph" bow 90 degrees to the wind for as lond as I want!

What are the pros and cons of having a bow thruster installed on a sail boat?

Bill Brockschmidt
CD-28 - "DULCINEA"
Sailing the Chester River from Chestertown, MD

randy.bates@baesystems.com

[will parker]

There have been a few occasions when it would have been convenient to have one on my CD 30. Nevertheless, the cost of putting one on a small sailboat,i.e. less than 40', is really prohibitive. Moreover, you are right, you really don't need one on a small sailboat. They are quite common on larger sailboats however.
Will
"Jambalaya"
CD30


a CD28? I can't imagine why that would be something you would want. Those are for ocean liners, tugboats and rich-guy stinkpots. Right?

ew

What are the pros and cons of having a bow thruster installed on a sail boat?

Bill Brockschmidt
CD-28 - "DULCINEA"
Sailing the Chester River from Chestertown, MD

whildenp@earthlink.net

[Mario]

The pro would be greater maneuverability. The cons would include expense, having to cut two large holes in the hull and deal with possible leakage, and add more load to your electrical system. I don't know how it would affect how your boat would handle underway.

We once watched a large sportsfisherman try to back into a slip in a 20+ knot crosswind. Even with bowthrusters he had to make several attempts, at least partially because of his windage. He was an experienced skipper but he had some close calls. It was quite a scene.

Mario
s/v Rhapsody
CD30 #252
Regent Point, VA

What are the pros and cons of having a bow thruster installed on a sail boat?

Bill Brockschmidt
CD-28 - "DULCINEA"
Sailing the Chester River from Chestertown, MD

capedory252NOSPAM@aol.com

[Bonnie Gilmore]

Speaking from experience (former CD33 owner, currently sailing a Hans Christian with a thruster), I can say that if you can do it economically, it will greatly improve manuverability and you'll love it. The CD and Hans are two very differnt boats in terms of displacement, but both have full keels and both are often a challenge to back up. Leaks are really not an issue if the thruster is installed properly, and I'd rather dock safely than harm the boat or crew. So, no - they are not just for ocean liners or stink-pots. If you can afford it - go for it!



bgilmore@ci.santa-rosa.ca.us