Does anyone have these? Are they worth $4k plus installation?
https://www.yachtthruster.com/easydrive-info
Printable View
Does anyone have these? Are they worth $4k plus installation?
https://www.yachtthruster.com/easydrive-info
I'll bite. I've been driving inboards since I was 14. If they made financial sense, I would have one... specifically so that my wife could dock the boat with ease. We also deal with alot of high winds, so it would be helpful then too just for safety... but for $4k? Nope.
Its too bad, because when they first came out, I spoke with one of the guys at that company and he eluded to the cost being alot less. Oh well.
I had also talked to these guys at one point too... https://shop-us.sideshift.com/collec...=8645305335921
said it before and say it again. if you know how to drive a towboat that's a ton of cash to just piss down the drain. and like everything else in the world, looks like the prices of them keep going up. another brand at $3500 last year......
but to each their own.
https://forum.moomba.com/showthread....boarding-boats
That Vetus one I have looked at before—But you would need to buy the more expensive ignition protected one and it would require a big hole in your boat
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
These options are very effective.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...249b839891.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...5df26a8b92.jpg
When it’s windy these are invaluable.
I always approach to the left side of the dock. Come in 10-15 degree angle, the first mate loops the dock post at the bow and bump reverse and done.
Stress free docking every time. It’s a no brainer with a v-drive.
Don’t the G boats from Nautique come with a stern thruster?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Give it some seat time and you’ll adapt. I still have a lot of skill to learn but even with just 6-7 outings on the only vdrive I’ve owned, I’ve made huge strides in learning how to dock these big boats. Once you understand how to use the prop rotation to your advantage things become easier and make more sense when it’s time to throw it into reverse. I always try and dock with the dock on my right. I will approach very slow using forward and neutral back and forth at about 15 degree angle but sometimes more if there is a boat blocking some of the dock. Once I get close I will toss it in reverse with no throttle, just enough to engage traverse, and that will pull the stern around to the dock on the right. Last weekend I even came at the dock in my left side about 25 ft away, turned wheel to the left in forward gear, as the boat was about halfway spun around I toss it in reverse effectively drifting sideways toward the dock. From there I was able to practically crab walk the remaining 4 feet or so using forward and reverse (no throttle) with the boat coming in smooth and slow. Basically came in and spun the boat to dock 180 degrees from where I started. Not gonna lie I felt like a boss when the fenders touched the same time and just barely kissed the dock.
I say give it some seat time and see how it goes. Like any new boat, the first few times may not be pretty but be sure to have others onboard ready to help grab a dock, boat or whatever. An easy way to practice is to toss a fender out in a slough and open waters then practice pulling up next to it envisioning it’s a dock. That way you eliminate the fear of scratching your boat and focus on how to handle it in a safe environment. I’m sure it took you a few outings to get used to a jet around the dock and this boat will likely require the same. I’d stay away from tight or tough situations when you first get your boat until you begin to feel more confident putting the boat where you want. Of course if it’s blowing winds and bimini is deployed things become a bit harder. My first shake down outing in my Max it was blowing 15-20 mph gusts and white capping lol. Talk about butt puckering!! :D
Stern thrusters are cool af especially how Nautique does it linked to steering wheel or fully manual but it’s not worth several grand IMO.
When you just beginning to learn to drive one of these leave the bimini top closed when pulling off the trailer/picking up people at the dock and when you come back to load up drop people off etc, close it back up...the bimini is like a giant sail up there and will make it much harder for you when you are a rookie.
I just created a stern thruster for our Moomba Mondo using a Blue Robotics T200 thruster. We have a slip that is tough to back out of on a windy day because the wind pushes the boat to the shoreline (the rotation of the prop in reverse pulls you that direction as well). This thruster makes it very easy. I made it so it attaches to the swim platform when docking. When it's not needed, we just release the quick connect and store it in one of the ballast compartments. The speed and rotation of the thruster is controlled at the helm. I will posted pictures of the setup soon and possibly a video. All of the components cost just over $300. The wiring is very easy.
https://bluerobotics.com/store/thrus...t200-thruster/
Very slick ^^^^^^
Mounting it on the swim platform makes sense, how did you route wiring?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I ran the wires up the starboard side and hitched into one of the spare auxiliary switches. I'll post some pictures over the weekend which will show the entire setup.Quote:
Originally Posted by larry_arizona
Pretty cool!Quote:
Originally Posted by Moomba2016
Here are some pictures of the thruster. I ended up painting the DeWalt clamp black, but it's still yellow in one of the pictures which makes it easier to see how I attached it to the swim platform. It doesn't provide a huge amount of thrust, but enough to swing the back of the boat around in either direction. The direction and speed of the thruster is controlled by the blue dial that I mounted below the switches. The far right switch controls the power to the thruster.
https://imgur.com/sxnOLZZ
https://imgur.com/9sIr8Ak
https://imgur.com/m4kDZq3
https://imgur.com/uNYUzkK
https://imgur.com/Rvmgskp
https://imgur.com/XWxzdp6
Nice work, I like the clamp idea!
Pretty cool. Do you think it would survive a permanent mount under the swim platform? I know those are made for ROV’s and craft that typically move slowly through the water. I wonder if it could be mounted permanently off the transom rather than have to deal with removing/reinstalling it?
Love love love the idea, but you lost me at the clamping method and wire routing.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Well done Moomba2016. I've been slowly working on a parts list to piece something like this together, but at a higher thrust capability.
How does the BR T200 do pushing on the back of the boat? From their specs, it's about 9lbs thrust off the boat electrical system. I was concerned it wouldn't be enough thrust to shove the boat around. What's your perspective on thrust capability relative to your boat size?
What about just bolting one of these to the wake plate/transom/swim platform?
https://marinemotors.net/minn-kota-r...CABEgIPO_D_BwE
Trace, Sorry about the delayed reply. The T200 has enough thrust to move the boat, but it's not fast. It allows me to bring the bow of the boat into the slip and then use the thruster to push the stern to the dock. The controller is able to handle two T200 thrusters which would definitely be enough power to spin the boat quickly. We don't use it on every outing, but when the wind is blowing, it's been very nice to have the extra push. Also, if you ever have to back out of a long gas dock, it makes it very easy. As other posts have stated, this isn't for everyone because having a permanent thruster would be better, but for the low cost, we haven't had any regrets.Quote:
Originally Posted by trace
I could see some advantage if you always had to park in a tight spot where there is usually wind. I could also see some advantage if you had a 25 foot heavy boat. But IMO, once you learn how to drive your boat there is no need. I park on a lift, usually my cove gets some wind, but i have never had an issue because i know how to handle a v drive. It just takes experience. Now if thrusters were a $1000 or less option on a new boat it may be considered. But $4k for a bolt on device to me doesn't make any sense. I don't think you will get $4k worth of value. And for me, i would like to have thrusters in every corner so i could spin my boat in shallow areas and point it to deeper water. Not for parking.
This is what I thought of right away too, but I am hung up on what to do with the wiring through the transom. I guess you could drill a hole but that scares me.Quote:
Originally Posted by cpropes2005
Quote:
Originally Posted by Moomba2016
Looking at winter projects. Are you still happy with the T200?
Thanks
I tried them and I really didn't think they were worth the price, to be honest.
Do you still have them or were you able to return them? I am seriously thinking about picking two up and doing a transom mount. I was thinking I would just buy one first and test it on a pole to get a feel for how effective is. If you still have one or two and would like to get rid of them, please let me know.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mariesl80
do some research in this thread. granted from a competing boat line but some good info to think on.
http://www.tigeowners.com/forum/show...r-assist/page4