Bos Thruster on an R-23?

[cruz-in]

Hi Team,

Chatting with a dealer about ordering/optioning an R-23 and struggling with the need for the bow thruster.

Totally understand the usefullness of this in say an R-21 where slower speeds yield less directional authority from the rudder.

However, on an outboarrd version of the R-23, I am not sure how much it is needed. Given the outboard creaates vectored thrust and is responsive for quick adjjustment bursts, seems like most docking situations can eeasily be handled with just the outboard.

Lots of similar size boats (like C-dory 22 and 25) get by just fine without a bow thruster.

Seems like another maintenance item of limited usuability.

You all's thoughts?
Thanks
Dan

P.S. The only must have items for us sem to be A/C, Windlass, and Macerator....

 

[Nopressure13]

My boat has the thruster. I love it. The outboard placed so far astern does create less responsive control in docking situations. I'm sure I would get used to not having it but It sure does come in handy.


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[knotflying]

I had a 22 foot C-dory. It would have been nice to have a bow thruster. The boat has a lot of windage. I would go with the thruster.

 

[Champ]

I use my thruster every time we back into our slip. Could not imagine not having it.

 

[oneeyedjackass]

Hi Dan
We just ordered are R-23 with a diesel I/O about a week ago. The bow thruster decision was tough. At first it seemed a bit silly, but we finally decided to get the thruster for a few reasons.
1. It's not super expensive when done at factory
2. Very expensive to have done at boat yard and something I don't want to tackle
3. Boat has a lot of windage and why not make things easier
4. Extra factory installed battery
5. When squeezing into tight anchorages (think lake powell) it will be awesome
Anyway, thats why we ordered it. We also plan to install/supply a windlass (lewmar V700), anchor (rocna 10) and 2000W inverter.
Mark

 

[cruz-in]

Interesting Mark, you are the first I have heard of buying the diesel option on th R-23. Why did you chose the diesel over the other two options?

I think you were smart to get the bow thruster with the diesel. Assuming the diesel is like the other rangers, I suspect there is less low speed manuvering ability with the rudder vice with the vectored thrust of an outboard.

 

[oneeyedjackass]

We have a max length that we need to be under for where the boat will be stored. Also, I like the look of the I/O better than the outboard. The Volvo I/O should be very manuverable.
mark