PowerBoatTV
Getting Your Bow Under Control
You love boating. There's no better way to spend time with family and friends, and it's so relaxing. That is, until it's time to dock on a windy day. No matter how you try, the bow keeps getting away. You've watched with envy as larger yachts with their factory installed bow thrusters dock with ease and wondered "what would it take? Can I add one to my boat?"
The answer is yes -- aftermarket internal bow thrusters are available for smaller boats. But their cost and often-difficult installation combine to make them a rare sight. Recently however, we came across a new product called Sideshift. It's an inexpensive, externally mounted Bow Thruster ideal for boats 20 to 40 feet in length. I had the opportunity to test Sideshift recently for an episode of PowerBoat Television.
Installing a Sideshift is easy and requires no drilled holes. It attaches to the bow eye of your boat with a heavy-duty stainless-steel U-bolt and snug’s itself in place with a rubber V-block at either end of the main cylinder. In fact, Sideshift can be installed in under two hours while your boat is still in the water, saving the cost of a haul out. Although Sideshift is externally mounted, once your boat is on plane the unit rides above the waterline. If you trailer your boat -- no problem, remove Sideshift from the bow eye, disconnect the wiring harness and your boat is ready for the trailer.
But the real beauty of Sideshift is that it's easy to use, and it works! A small toggle switch that mounts right on the throttle/shift lever means you don't have to take your hand off the shifter while maneuvering in tight quarters. Toggle left and Sideshift pushes the bow to port, toggle right and the bow moves to starboard. There is little delay in response - owing in part to the fact that Sideshift is mounted further forward than most internally mounted bow thrusters and thus requires less thrust to move the same weight. Even in strong winds I was impressed with the near-instant movement of the bow. The maximum 40 second operation time (with a 15 second cool down in between) is more than enough to position the bow exactly where you want it. Sideshift will help you get your bow under control while docking, locking, in winds, or in current.
Maintenance is near zero - the unit is not plagued by weed and zebra mussel blockage in the pipe like conventional bow thrusters. Just check the zinc anodes once a year and forget it. Sideshift comes in two model sizes for boats up to 55 feet and is available in our Boating Store.
by Peter Wilson PowerBoat TV