One of the hardest parts of large boat ownership is docking. Even the most advanced boater has experienced the nightmare of docking during bad currents and intense wind. This can be stressful and for small boat owners, but can be devastating to large boat and yacht owners. A simple way to avoid damages during docking in terrible conditions is to add bow and stern thrusters to your ship. Do you have to have bow or stern thrusters? Nope, they are not critical for every yacht. Does it help immensely to have one or both? Yup, definitely. In certain conditions in certain areas, bow thrusters improve maneuverability immensely. Bow thrusters can be electronically, hydraulically, or diesel driven. No matter what type of bow thruster you choose for your yacht, the best way to keep them providing as much assistance as possible is with expert bow thruster service in Jupiter.
How Do Bow Thrusters Work?
A thruster is used to move a boat side to side instead of backwards and forwards. Rather than facing in-line with the bow and stern, thrusters face to the side. This makes it much easier and safer to move the ship around in tight spaces like bulk heads and slips. Some bow thrusters are either on or off. Meaning, there is no control over the speed at which the boat will move sideways. They are either in use and engaged, or not. Other thrusters, known as proportional thrusters, give the captain the ability to fine tune the power of the thrust. Many of these are controlled with a joystick installed at the helm. Regardless of the type or orientation of thruster, they are for use only while the vessel is moving slowly or not at all. In addition, as with all parts of your yacht, they require maintenance.
Bow Thruster Service in Jupiter Maintenance
Who doesn’t love a good checklist? Here’s a handy little list for bow thruster service in Jupiter that you can use on your ship. It is important to maintain your thrusters so that they are always operating properly. As is true with most parts of a boat, corrosion and water damage are top concerns.
Knowing that boating components are subject to water and salt damage, the most important thing you can do for your bow thruster is to perform a thorough visual inspection every six months at least. When you know what a well-conditioned thruster looks like, it makes it easier to determine when something is damaged.
Ensure the thrusters have appropriate power. Whether this be electronically or from the battery, without proper power, your thrusters won’t work as expected. Be sure to check the battery and battery cables for wear and tear and corrosion. Replace any part that is affected by rust and tighten up hardware that has loosened over time. And, of course, keep the battery fully charged all the time.
Check fluids and oil levels where appropriate for your type of thruster. There are a few different answers as to how often the hydraulic fluid should be drained and changed. Some say every four months, some say less often. It truly depends on your type of thruster and use. The best thing you can do as a yacht owner is to consult with a trusted, competent bow thruster service in Jupiter business on their recommendation for your ship.
Bow Thruster Service in Jupiter Should be Done by Professionals
If you are uncomfortable doing or don’t have the time to perform maintenance tasks for your thrusters, call a professional. Bow thruster service in Jupiter by expert companies like Yacht Service LLC can provide insightful information and skilled service to keep your yacht running smooth. They use high quality products like Sleipner (formerly Side-Power) thrusters. These are the best in the industry. Along with high-quality products, they provide top-level service. If you love your yacht like we suspect you do, only let the best people care for it.