Great lake boats, a good video

[jjeff]

Some ports have length restrictions, so I'm assuming its probably easier to nose the bow in to a dock or wharf with limited space to unload? Good question I'm curious. If I remember reading correctly that ship has bow and stern thrusters along with a flap rudder and adjustable pitch propeller, so it's definitely very manuverable.

 

[MossRoad]

I'm gonna guess that the driving reason is money, so for some reason, they can carry more tonnage if the unloader is in the front, or they can unload faster, it's more efficient, or something along those lines.

 

[ArlyA]

If I remember reading correctly that ship has bow and stern thrusters along with a flap rudder and adjustable pitch propeller, so it's definitely very manuverable.

Seems all or most modern boats have bow and stern thrusters along and one or two variable pitch props. But they only turn the thruster engines on if they think they'll need them.

 

[jjeff]

Seems all or most modern boats have bow and stern thrusters along and one or two variable pitch props. But they only turn the thruster engines on if they think they'll need them.

You are correct on thrusters, In any case thrusters on ships and boats are only made for brief intermittent use, they definitely will help to keep a boat aligned in close quarters especially in wind, and negate the effects of "prop walk". Here's a question for you how can you tell if a ship has thrusters if there not being used?

 

[MossRoad]

That little mark on the side over the thrusters?

 

[ArlyA]

You are correct on thrusters, In any case thrusters on ships and boats are only made for brief intermittent use, they definitely will help to keep a boat aligned in close quarters especially in wind, and negate the effects of "prop walk". Here's a question for you how can you tell if a ship has thrusters if there not being used?

This star mark shows the thrusters position. Is that what you ask?

 

[jjeff]

That little mark on the side over the thrusters?

This star mark shows the thrusters position. This that what you ask?View attachment 722102

Yessir, what's the mark in front of the circled x mean in this picture?

 

[ArlyA]

Now you know, but the USCG does have a standard for putting these marks on your boat or not. The Ranger does have at least one thruster and many small barges do as well but don't mark them. Maybe its a HP thing. The Spartan has them but does not mark them. This was taken on our canal a few years back.

 

[jjeff]

I've never seen a recreational boat have markings for a thruster. (granted the boat and thruster are much smaller) maybe its the size of smaller thrusters and its inability to suck a rowboat through it.

 

[MossRoad]

Yessir, what's the mark in front of the circled x mean in this picture?

Maybe it's got that bulbous bow under the water line?