www.iFourWinns.com

Hi all,

If anyone out there has a moment, could they poss take a couple of pics of a 358V with a bow thruster from the inside maybe remove the draw or even if someone has the front panel off working on the water pump maybe take a couple of pictures pls. Mine does not have one and i'm think of putting one in, sick of nose not doing what i want it to when mooring,

Thanks in advance
Sean
Algarve Portugal

Sean -

My V358 had the factory installed bow thruster which worked very effectively with the boat. I can recommend one for this model without hesitation.
While it is obviously essential to have the capability to dock your boat without one, it is an excellent, additional tool to have if you're willing to spend the money, purists be damned.
I don't believe I have any interior pictures of the thruster itself but I will check. I certainly have some exterior shots of the tunnel/prop and joystick and would be happy to post a few should you wish.

_________________
Previously:
2008 V358/Volvo 5.7 GXi Inboards

Here are a few shots of the bow thruster assembly. These shots are looking into the opening once you remove the drawer unit. The fresh water pump is mounted to the bulkhead wall.

The battery and charger are installed under the table storage compartment. The Penta QL thruster does require its own battery to drive the unit.




Hope this helps.

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Jnizi

2007 Vista 338 "Better Yet"
Previously:
2007 Vista 258 " Just Right"
2005 Horizon 230

I agree with Sierra, it is a great tool to assist in strong wind, odd currents or to just honk off your dock mates. I hear the term "Cheater" every time I use it but my boat has far fewer docking abrasions. Purists be damned! I love having it.

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Jnizi

2007 Vista 338 "Better Yet"
Previously:
2007 Vista 258 " Just Right"
2005 Horizon 230

Thanks for all the replys, one question is the fresh water tank still forward of the thruster, and if so it must be a smaller, than the one fitted in mine, or is it mounted else where?.
Of course you must be able to moor without one, but with the drives pivoting at the rear and the nose probably 35 ft forward, with some wind it's a pain to keep control of the nose. All it takes is a quick burst to bring the nose back in. I have driven many boats and have a professional captins ticket wth 25 years of experiance, there is no point in makeing things hard for yourselve, boating should be fun!!!

Again thanks for the replys.


Sean

There's little need for a bow thruster with the 348/358 (or anything smaller). Not if you properly set up your docking and keep the boat moving. Momentum is your friend. Dawdling and letting the winds or currents get the better of you is a sign of operator error. Sure, it's handy accessory but it's truly unnecessary in an express cruiser type boat.

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-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista

Why use a chartplotter when you have paper charts? Why use autopilot when you can follow a compass and hold the wheel?
This is a silly, flawed criticism which always comes up when bow thrusters are discussed on "smaller" boats. The most skilled, professional captains I know use thrusters or are happy to have them available even when delivering a 35 footer. I have been in complete control of docking situations when a dockhand pulled a line after being told not to or a major gust of wind suddenly blew through in close quarters. Could I have survived without the thruster? Absolutely. Was I happy I had it? You bet.

Whether for situational awareness, a little docking assistance or a little extra bass, some of us like to add tools and accessories to enhance our enjoyment of the overall experience. So to call anything that does that 'truly unneccessary' is truly unnecessary.

_________________
Previously:
2008 V358/Volvo 5.7 GXi Inboards

Every once and a while I still kick myself for not pushing harder for the bow thruster. It was not listed as available for the 2008 when I ordered but Sierra bought right after me and he got one, so I could have one.

Yes Bill, I know that I don't need one but there are regular circumstances where it would make docking less stressfull. Plus there is a resale value. No ever rejected a boat because it had a thruster, the reverse is not true.

For a docking example, in my slip there is only about 18" between me and the boat to starboard. I have to back in because the pier is not long enough. So with any wind to starboard, my bow is moving towards my neighbors boats as I back in. I can pivot within reason to compensate but there is not a ton of room. So it's always a race to get in and off the boat before the bow swings over. Obviously fenders help but a bow thruster would eliminate the race.

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2008 V358 Two-tone Blue V/P Dual Prop 320 HP
Lake Winnipesaukee, NH

Bill I will agree and if my boat didn't already have it installed, I would not have it. However, once you use it and see how it improves your close quarters maneuvering, you really enjoy having it. I view it as just another tool in the tool kit. Most of the time, I dock only using throttles. I would not consider it unnecessary, I find it useful.

Our fresh water tank is 45 gallons and is forward of where the thruster mounts. It is a tight fit.

_________________
Jnizi

2007 Vista 338 "Better Yet"
Previously:
2007 Vista 258 " Just Right"
2005 Horizon 230

Well Bill, you are a much better captin than me, i have never caused any damage to any of my boats or neighbours boats, here now in Portugal (i did have my boat in Stuart FL,) in the afternoon you get a very strong offshore wing in the summer and it cab gust 40Kts wiith about 2 ft between me and the neighbour the nose swings, if it was no shafts it would be easier but drives no. As i said and agree with the other comments, Boating for pleasure should be just that.

Sean