Bureaucrat, staff, administrator
4,335
edits
Changes
m
→Bow Thrusters
The bow of a boat follows the stern. To see this, push a pencil across your desk, steering it from the stern. Imagine trying the same in wave action or currents, or when trying to dock. Enter the bow thruster, a small electric or hydraulic motor and propeller system mounted in the bow to steer it.
A bow thruster is essential on boats over 45 feet. They are appropriately named. Performance is dependent on the thrust of the system, not the horsepower of the motor. The amount of thrust developed is a function of horsepower, propeller design and tunnel diameter. Thrusters are available from such as [http://dickinsonmarine.com/ Dickson], [https://great-water.com/ Great Water], [http://www.shipwrightsinc.com Shipwrights], [http://www.vetus.com/ Vetus, ] and [http://www.wesmar.com/index Wesmar].
Bow thrusters are mounted in a transverse tunnel that runs through the hull. For maximum efficiency (turning moment), they should be located as far forward and as low as possible. Make sure you can reach the propeller and motor in the tunnel, and the zincs, for servicing. If the system is mounted in a bulbous bow, consider installing a watertight hatch for access to the interior of the bulb.
