In a message dated 27/01/2007 15:09:35 GMT Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
In 30 years of canal boating, I have never used a boat with a thruster fitted. I have tried to imagine what they are used for but the answer evades me 1. Avoiding damage to your boat by allowing tighter turns when some idiot tries a stupid manoevre on a bend and cuts across into your boat. 2. When single handing, you can move the front of the boat out without the danger of falling into the water when pushing the bow out 3. With judicious use of steering and bow thruster, it is possible to crab the boat sideways to get out of a difficult situation - usually caused by another boat. 4. When 'loitering' outside a lock and waiting for a colleague to open the gates, it is possible to move the bows round without requiring forward movement. DaveD [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
