R21EC - Bow Thruster - How Critical is it?

[cruz-in]

Hi,

I have docked sailboats with fixed props, and only a rudder as steerage, for years without finding too much of a need for a bow thruster. Certainly remember once or twice where it would have been nice but overall never felt the need for one. All these sailboats had a tiller vice a wheel. Maybe that makes a difference.

Is there something that makes a bow thruster more of a must have on a Ranger 21EC vice a similar size tiller equiped sailboat?

Seems like almost all Ranger R21ECs have the bow thruster option so I assume it is needed.

Thanks
Dan

 

[tlkenyon]

I have a R21 Classic with no bow thruster. I have a R25SC with a bow thruster, so I appreciate the advantage of having the thruster. That being said, I do not miss having the bow thruster in the R21. The R21 rudder is the same as the R21EC rudder and is so large that it really controls things. With judicious use of rudder and prop thrust, you can turn in your own length (to the right). The windage is pretty minimal, and is not a problem except in very windy conditions, where the thruster is pretty ineffective anyway due to waves and the thruster coming out of the water (which is a great way to shear a pin).

If the boat comes with a thruster, great. If not, I would not pay the extra for something that is not critical for this model of boat.

 

[cruz-in]

very informative reply....thanks

 

[captnmunro]

I have enjoyed having a bow thruster in tight parking marinas.

 

[Capt’nKarl]

Critical is the key word here. It's like the discussion of having 4 wheel drive on your vehicle when launching and retrieving your boat. Most of the time you don't need the 4 wheel drive, but when YOU DO NEED IT you're glad you have that option. Most of the time I don't need the bow thruster BUT when you're in that tight space and the wind is blowing and there are other boaters waiting to get in or out of the boat ramp; yes, I'm glad I have that option.
CaptnKarl

 

[harry ames]

My chosen option for my classic without thrusters was to add a 5 hp kicker to the back. It is a redneck thruster, but it has helped me out of several tight docking situations. I can back into almost anywhere. It is also there in case the diesel has some grief. So I'm double dipping with the kicker: stern thruster and backup motor.

I've read a significant number of negatives about the thrusters, water damage, sheared pins, bottom pain issues etc. on this site. HOWEVER, having owned a 32 foot sailboat and dodging many close docking calls, I would want thrusters on any tug larger than the 21 or EC. I'd also only use them in certain conditions because well honed engine and rudder only seamanship is a pleasure to watch and do. Thrusters, I think may make a person a little lazy.

 

[Pilotnavigator]

I find the thruster very useful. When speed is below 3 knots I find steerage is very poor. In a tight space the thruster allows me to steer around rocks or keep to a tight channel when creeping into an anchorage.

 

[SGIDAVE]

Hi,

Seems like almost all Ranger R21ECs have the bow thruster option so I assume it is needed.

Thanks
Dan

Hello Dan,

I've noticed many (maybe 'most') 21ECs have the bow thruster. I believe that is so due to the 'niche' the boat is built for...a "loaded" little tug (thruster, refrigerator, sink,stove, even marine head). Lots of expensive options is the Ranger Tug Way. Their customers LIKE it that way...

The bow thruster on a 21EC is NOT critical.

Others have commented on whether it's 'nice' to have the thruster. It's nice but not necessary in any way. The boat has a VERY large rudder for it's size so it steers easily; at low speed sometimes you need to 'bump' the throttle to give bursts of thrust and transiently increase flow across the rudder to maintain steerage.

The 21EC is a VERY fun boat!

/dave

 

[rpmerrill]

I too had a sailboat with no bow thruster. However, I'd estimate that the sailboat rudder was about 5 times larger than my R-27 rudder. In forward gear both boats get turned by the effect of the prop wash over the surface of the rudder. But in reverse, it is only the reverse flow water over the rudder that gives any turning authority to the boat. In reverse, gunning the throttle doesn't give much effect, if any. The big sailboat rudder worked pretty good once the boat got moving through the water backwards. On the other hand, I've found that my R-27 really doesn't respond to the smaller rudder at all. The thruster is a BIG help steering the boat when it is moving in reverse. I've tried a couple times backing up without it... no success.

 

[LADY JANE]

With a bow thruster, you'll be able to land in the tightest hot spots, at the busiest Marinas, in all kinds of weather, in no time flat. And then get back out again, like nobody's business. Invented for serious TugNuts who know how lucky we are to have an option like this...a Bow Thruster? That's worth every penny! Just try it, you won't regret adding it to your R21EC! If you think the waves are too high and rough to use the thruster on a given day, just don't use it on that outing. You'll be glad to have that decision to make for many years to come. We use our Bow Thruster every outing and feel it's a perfect fit for this size boat!
-Bill & Jane- R-21EC

 

[cruz-in]

"I too had a sailboat with no bow thruster. However, I'd estimate that the sailboat rudder was about 5 times larger than my R-27 rudder."

ahh that is the nugget of wisdom I was looking for. Looking at it, yes the rudder on my sailboat(s) is/was much larger that the rudder on the R21. That would significantly affect low speed manuvers.

 

[rpmerrill]

One more nugget (maybe).

I have noticed that there is very little prop walk in reverse. On my sailboat, there was a ton of it. I could take advantage of prop walk when backing into my slip. (When possible I'd approach the dock such that a prop walk to port would help me turn in. )

Possibly, a sailboat having it's mass concentrated amidships, prop walk might have a larger effect? Or it is the smoother shape of the sailboat hull? Or possibly the tugboat cabin is more susceptible to crosswind? Dunno.

 

[rt11002003]

The R21EC is very light and presents a lot of area for the wind to work on; and, has minimum "way". It differs from a sailboat because it has no keel; and, usually a sailboat with an inboard motor is much heavier; giving it more "way". The R21EC rudder works much better than the R25 and larger Rangers, in either direction.

But, in tight spaces with wind, or current, the R21EC is practically impossible to back down into a small slip without a thruster. Going forward is usually not a problem, it turns on its length without a thruster. I have found that I have to keep the engine engaged and the thruster on ready, when backing down into my slip, until the cabin is inside the fingers. If not, the wind will blow the boat sideways and rotate it across the slip entrance. Of course, that can be avoided by going in forward and backing out of the slip with much gusto. But, going in forward defeats the purpose of a covered slip, which is to keep the rain and snow out of the cockpit.

I've driven a wide selection of boats. I had a CS30 sailboat, without a thruster, that was a piece of cake to back down. Had a couple of trawlers, without thrusters, that were also simple to back down. But, they had skegs of significant size, which helped. Owned several power boat with OB engines, they back down easily. Two engines really help backing down, whether inboard, or OB.

 

[rayzickrick]

Hi,

I have docked sailboats with fixed props, and only a rudder as steerage, for years without finding too much of a need for a bow thruster. Certainly remember once or twice where it would have been nice but overall never felt the need for one. All these sailboats had a tiller vice a wheel. Maybe that makes a difference.

Is there something that makes a bow thruster more of a must have on a Ranger 21EC vice a similar size tiller equiped sailboat?

Seems like almost all Ranger R21ECs have the bow thruster option so I assume it is needed.

Thanks
Dan

Dan, I am on my third season with my 2014 21-EC. My experience with the bow thruster is it is not absolutely mandatory but it sure is nice in a snug marina like ours. While in reverse and steering the stern to port she makes a nice arc but if you try and steer the stern to starboard you fight the prop wash and she just goes straight back. As soon as you give the thruster a one second pulse all heads in the marina turn and look. That part's pretty fun! :mrgreen:

 

[BradOwens]

In regard to sailboats with fixed props, and only a rudder as steerage, sailboats generally have deep keels that hold the boat steady as the rudder moves the boat around that axis. Shallow draft boats are rarely as steady in their position.
Still, with good boat handling skills a thruster isn't needed, just nice to have. It's especially nice in cross wind or cross current conditions.

 

[baz]

The luxury of having the bow thruster is that in tight spots when maneuvering the boat using it is a lot easier and faster for controlling the boats attitude vs. using the rudder & prop thrust.

Maneuvering in tight spots with head hanging out the helm window can be stressful and with one hand the thruster's toggle switch is a blessing vs. having to use two hands; one for the throttle lever and the other for the wheel.

The bow thruster simply reduces stress and is far quicker to align the boat than using rudder & prop thrust.

 

[Capt’nKarl]

Here's another fun thing about using the bow thruster. If you haven't done this you're missing out on free drinks! As you're patiently waiting for the ramp to clear or peering at the dock side spot that's about to become open at your favorite watering hole do this. Casually shift into reverse, gently apply the bow thrust lever and......PIROUETTE! Ranger 21's already get a lot of attention but do this and you'll have people lined up to see your "cute boat".
'A votre sante' !
Capt'nKarl