Using The Bow Thruster - Bayliner 4788 Operation Manual

Operating Manual for Sea Daze 4788 Bayliner
All close quarter maneuvering should take place from the bridge helm. This will afford maximum visibility. If
operating from the pilothouse, ensure both doors are open to allow quick access to both sides.
Remove spring lines leaving only bow and stern lines. Always remove the upwind line last as you leave the
dock. Make certain the throttles are in idle and engage the gearshifts and maneuver the boat with differential
steering.
Once outside marina, have crewmembers bring in fenders and put lines away. Lines are stowed by coiling and
hanging/tying to the fly bridge cockpit ladder.
Note: If anchored see section 3.6.7 for weighing anchor

3.5.3 Using the Bow Thruster

We provide the following tips and insights that may help even a seasoned skipper in optimizing performance of
the Bow thruster.
•
The first concept is that a Bow Thruster is not intended to steer the boat. The skipper should do the primary maneuvering
with the engines and rudders and use the thruster to correct the bow alignment due to windage and current.
•
A thruster is used in short bursts of often less than a few seconds with a brief delay to determine the effect. This will prevent
over controlling the boat, overheating of the motor and drained batteries.
•
A thruster is only effective at very slow speed, typically 3 knots or less. Above that speed the engines and rudders will
dominate directional control and use of the thruster will result in cavitations and noise with potential damage to the propellers
and the motor due to over speed.
•
The thruster is used to counter drift due to wind or current, or may be used to assist close quarters maneuvering such as
moving the bow off a dock when departing and holding the Bow to the dock while the lines are secured.
•
The thruster will be more effective when moving slightly in reverse than when moving forward. This can be very helpful if
you find the current and wind are very strong during a close quarter maneuver. A slight amount of reverse thrust can increase
the effectiveness.
3.5.3.1 Turning on the Bow Thruster 24 volt system:
Sea Daze has a Side Power SE100/185 T 8.5
HP Bow Thruster. The bow thruster is on an
independent 24 volt system powered by two 12
volt SAE Rated 760 CCA AGM batteries wired
in series. These batteries provide ample power
for normal use, however if the thruster is over
used the batteries may become drained
significantly and they can take several hours to
recharge. Charging is provided via the port
engine alternator while underway, or if on
shore power, or generator power this may be
accomplished by switching on the battery
charger circuit in the power panel.
The state of charge on the thruster batteries
may be checked from the pilot house by
switching on the 24 volt system with the rocker
switch located directly below the pilot house shift controls and reading the digital volt meter adjacent that
switch.
Sea Daze 160323.doc Page 17 of 44 Last Revision August 11
th
, 2015