Bowthurster

Bowthurster

The bowthruster used to be associated only with large vessels, nowadays it's increasingly easy to find it on charter yachts. Its task is to make maneuvering in the marina easier, where high precision and a few tens of centimeters of corrections are required. Unlike the main thruster, it allows maneuvers at very low speeds. When used properly, it allows us to move away from or approach the berth efficiently. It can be an important help in reducing the turning radius of the yacht, which means tightening the circulation, especially when we don't have much space.

What to keep in mind when operating the bowthruster?

  • The bowthruster is a turbine, which means that it can very easily pull in all kinds of ropes and rubbish that is near our yacht. That's why you should be careful when operating it. A moment of inattention can damage the turbine blades.
  • Use the joystick or buttons to select the direction. In addition, ON/OFF switches and main switches (sometimes in the form of a key) are used for operation. The latter protects us against accidental start-up of the system.
  • The bowthruster should be switched on for a maximum of several seconds.