Bow Thruster on R25 OB

[Haven25]

We're seriously considering buying a new R25 OB. I personally don't like any unnecessary holes in boats and was thinking of omitting the bow thruster on the new boat since the Yamaha OB should provide adequate maneuverability for docking. We will be keeping the R25 in our slip in the water in coastal NC. We had a 25' Atlas Acadia with a Yanmar diesel and no thruster for 7 years and never had an issue. Has anyone on the forum omitted the bow thruster on their R23, R25 or R27 OBs? Pros and Cons?

 

[Bigman99]

Interesting. First time I’ve ever heard of anyone wanting to omit a bow thruster. Personally I’ve been waiting all my boating life to get my hands on that cherished device. Finally, docking in high winds with my single screw floating brick is not a soul sucking panic inducing thrill ride like is was almost daily with my previous boat. Besides my R23 OB really doesn’t have that many holes in the hull and all of them are necessary. But the one I love the most is up at the bow. Just my honest opinion

 

[jhammell62]

I fully agree with Bigman. The bow thruster on our R23 is well worth it. The boat acts like a fairly large sail in windy conditions, so the thruster is a welcome tool.

Sent from my SM-S906U using Tapatalk

 

[William Sanborn]

I would put in on. like trying to sell one without a trailer. You'll save up front and might never use it, but the new owner will be looking for one with a bow thruster.

Bill

 

[KKRCRACE]

I have a C242 which I purchased new from a local dealer. I had not thought much about the bow thruster until I needed it. I would not purchase a boat like ours without one and I think it is a very good investment.
KKRCRACE

 

[Martin610]

I had a single engine outboard prior tp getting my C28. Having thrusters makes a huge difference. Much easier to maneuver, especially if there's wind.

Omitting it would hurt resale value in my opinion.

-martin610

 

[Haven25]

Thanks all for the thoughtful replies. Looks like it's unanimous in favor of the thruster. The next thing I'm curious about is the electric/alcohol stove. Seems like a single propane/butane burner or an induction burner would be more useful. We loved our portable stainless steel single-burner stove on our last boat. Thoughts?

 

[Pelican227]

I have an R25 on order and would not have bought it if it did not have a bow thruster.
My 25 will be kept on a lift in my boathouse down here in Fl. We live on an inlet to the bay and in the afternoons we get a nice cross wind when coming into the boat house. I'm counting on the bow thruster to keep me straight while docking.

 

[Chimo]

Thanks all for the thoughtful replies. Looks like it's unanimous in favor of the thruster. The next thing I'm curious about is the electric/alcohol stove. Seems like a single propane/butane burner or an induction burner would be more useful. We loved our portable stainless steel single-burner stove on our last boat. Thoughts?

Kenyon doesn't make the electric/alcohol stove anymore and sourcing alcohol is extremely difficult if not impossible. The alcohol side was useless in any case. I would stick with electric for when you're in a marina and can hook up. when anchored out we use the BBQ or a small butane portable camping stove (cheap). Remember to keep the butane, or any gas, outside the boat. We hang ours in a lunch bag off the stern rail.

 

[glider4]

Second what Chimo said about the alcohol/electric stove. We had one on the boat I owned between 2004 and 2015. Great electric on shore power. Absolutely horrible trying to use the alcohol side at anchor unless the sea was completely flat and no passing wakes. The burning alcohol would slosh all over the place if the boat rocked. Scared me so much I stopped using the alcohol side of the stove after one season. Bought a Coleman propane camping stove for use in the cockpit which worked reasonably well.
That stupid stove was one of my top 6 reasons for selling that boat and moving to a Ranger Tug R-25 Classic with a Wallace kerosene stove/heater in 2015.
BTW the other 5 must have features were radar, thrusters, a head big enough to shut the door, an enclosed helm and inboard diesel engine vs the gas I/O we had on our first cruiser.

 

[Haven25]

Thanks for the info on the stove and butane storage. I wonder why Ranger doesn't just install an electric or induction cooktop and omit the alcohol altogether.

 

[ftornabe]

I have a 2021 R25 OB and has a electric burner but has option for alcohol. I use the electric while plugged in at dock. I never tried it away from dock so I don't know how much power it will draw. But it Works great. I made hotdogs yesterday. I'd be nervous about using the alcohol option. I'll probably never use it.

 

[jdiianni]

I recommend having the bow thruster. My bow thruster went out in May of this past year. I thought, "Well, I should just get proficient at docking the boat without a bow thruster." So, from May until now (I'm still troubleshooting the problem and don't have a bow thruster), there were situations where I wish I had a bow thruster. For instance, parallel docking between other boats on lateral moorages, compensating for wind and current, maneuvering in tight fairways. I want to get mine fixed, be able use it, but also know how to maneuver the boat without it.

 

[PNWTX]

The alcohol stove works great for us. It gets extremely hot. I think a lot of people don't take the time to figure it out so they have poor results. Works very well on shore power as well.

 

[ftornabe]

using the alcohol is a good idea while away from dock and don't want to use battery power. I will consider it next time.

 

[jack_patricia]

A properly designed alcohol stove has become a popular choice now that Dometic has reintroduced the Origo 1500 (single) and 3000 (two burner) stoves. No odor, no sloshing of fuel, much hotter than we all remember from 'back in the day' alcohol burners. I would prefer the 1500 to the Kenyon unit if I had the choice, even with the Lithium 6-pack system. Here's one demo, starting at 1:50: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qWndaXprpuA
And for baking, we've had great success using an Optimus, now rebranded Omnia stove top oven. Blueberry muffins with the morning coffee? Yes, please.
https://www.omniasweden.com/us/oven/

Jack

 

[ronmaines]

You will not need a bow thruster until you do.

A crosswind blowing on a 4 ton at gross R25 OB trying to dock into a 12 foot wide slip is a worthy opponent to a smooth docking.

 

[jdiianni]

I highly recommend having a thruster. That doesn't mean you have to use it all the time. Still be proficient in docking/getting underway without it. But it is handy when there are strong currents and winds.