Bow Thruster Integration With Volvo Penta Systems
As boaters, we all love spending time on the water. The only downside about spending a day on a boat is having to berth the vessel on return. Coming back in means the end of a fun day, as well as potential difficulties docking your boat due to wind, currents, or just other boaters trying to finish their day off as well. Because of this, anything that can help take the difficulty out of docking is usually a welcome tool.
One of these tools is bow thrusters. Primarily used for low speed and precise manoeuvring such as docking, bow thrusters help move a boat laterally, or rotating the vessel, making it easy to come into the berth or even position a boat when out at sea. Although bow thrusters work well on their own, they get even more useful when integrated with Volvo Penta technology like their joystick docking system, assisted docking, or DPS
Read on to get a better understanding of how bow thrusters work on boats and how they integrate with Volvo Penta marine engines.
What Are Bow Thrusters On Boats?
As the name would suggest, bow thrusters are propulsion devices fitted to the bow of a boat. Bow thrusters are fitted at right angles to the boat’s hull, allowing it to move laterally or to rotate the vessel (from port to starboard, bow to stern, and vice versa). The beauty of bow thrusters is that they allow for lateral movement of the bow without the boat moving forward or backward. This easy lateral movement makes docking much easier.
Although bow thrusters only move the bow, integrating them with the drive system allows for turn side movement (i.e. crab walking).
How Bow Thrusters Work With Volvo Penta Systems
Bow thrusters are the perfect addition to a Volvo Penta single or twin-diesel engine boats when used with their joystick docking system. Volvo Penta’s joystick docking system allows for easy single hand control of a boat when docking or in other situations where precise manoeuvres are needed or when a true crab walk or side to side movement is required. Volvo Penta’s joystick control means there’s no need to jump between steering and gear control; all you need to do is engage the joystick control and move the boat as needed in any direction.
Volvo Penta’s joystick docking system is available on single-diesel-engine stern drive boats and twin shaft drive vessels with electric steering, which is what makes it so revolutionary. This kind of easy movement is usually only available with multi engine vessels.
Removing the difficult and frustrating parts of boating is what Volvo Penta’s technology solutions are all about, ensuring every day on the water is a pleasure.
Find Out More About Bow Thrusters And Volvo Penta’s Joystick Docking System
If you think it’s time to upgrade your boat to make it simpler and easier to operate, feel free to find a local Volvo Penta dealer to find out more. Alternatively, contact us directly to talk about your boat and discuss your options. We’re always happy to help and find a solution that will allow you to get the best possible result.
