On Sat, 27 Jan 2007 14:55:57 +0000, Bob Adams <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> >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. Can anybody describe what amazing functions of boat handling >I have not been able to perform because I have been deficient in this >area? > I'm with you Bob - the relatively week bow thrusters on many narrow boats is of dubious value. But - I once had the opportunity to control a boat with REALLY powerful side thrusters at both bow and stern and that was a lot of fun. This was a north sea supply boat, and they use these side thrusters together with the main screws to keep the boat in position under a rig - in bad weather to enable loading / unloading with the cranes. this was many years ago, so presumably they are even more controllable these days, no doubt using modern GPS Nav. system and computer control. -- Malcolm
