anyone put a thruster on their B411?

[bugbitten]

I'm shopping for a new old boat and am looking at 423s, which are probably out of reach, and 411s, which look to be a good fit for my needs/wants at a more comfortable price. Unfortunately, my docking skills are such that I greatly prefer a boat with a thruster, to the point that I installed one myself in my little 30 foot S2. I see 423s with thrusters installed, but I've yet to see a 411 with one. I found a brief thread here where a poster from Split was trying to put one in. That situation did not appear to be resolved. If anyone has succeeded (or failed) to do this, details would be most appreciated. I'd prefer to go the standard route, with a tunnel, than to hang an exterior thruster pod on the hull. Thanks!

 

[Gunni]

No room for an internal thruster. Take docking lessons.

 

[bugbitten]

No room for an internal thruster. Take docking lessons.

Thanks. Lessons and a beefy rub rail will probably be in order!

 

[Michael Davis]

When the 1st Mate was learning to dock we went and found a log floating along and practised coming alongside it before trying the real thing. Did some practise with mooring balls too. Tried everyone in the park before we settled on one.

 

[bugbitten]

I mostly solo sail, so typically no first mate, other than my rather unhelpful pit bull. I can often dock w/o using the thruster on my S2, but there are times when it sure makes my neighbors breathe a sigh of relief. Maybe a heavier boat will be less fickle in crosswinds, but I sure like having a safety net. I agree, though, that practice is key. Unfortunately, lately I'm often away from the boat for long periods, and, as you know, rust never sleeps, particularly when your 70.

 

[Michael Davis]

particularly when your 70.

I know. We just rust faster. The heavier boat will be less effected by the wind but still go for a ride in the current. We changed from a E-28+ to the Bene First 38 a couple of years ago. Makes a big difference.

 

[Gunni]

Yes, the boat needs a stout rub rail more than a thruster. Search the ancient dusty comment archives here for a pic of a rubrail I had fabricated maybe 7-8 year ago. Still going strong and a great add to the boat!

 

[TimFromLI]

I watched this video my first year when I had a 32. Now I have a 45 without thrusters and as long as the wind is light, I'm pretty confident.

 

[bugbitten]

Thanks, Tim. I'll be sure to study it. I definitely would like to back in more often than I do. I had some old salts give me some lessons when I first got my 30 footer. I told them I wanted to be able to back into the slip. They tried it and said, "Don't bother!" I'm betting the Beneteau will be an improvement. Regardless, I'll do a bit more studying and a good deal more practice, but I'll wait for the days I've got another pair of hands aboard, just in case.
John

 

[bugbitten]

I hate to copy other folks' ideas, particularly when it comes to humor; however, I'm been tempted to fly to the west coast and buy this very nice Cal 39 just for the name. It suits my docking to a T.