Bow thruster vs Jet Thruster vs retractable

[anamm]

Good evening!

Just bought a Jeanneau 52.2 and currently looking into adding a bow thruster.

What’s your opinion: bow thruster (tunnel), bow thruster retractable or jet thruster?

Thank you in advance!

[Zanshin]

Each type has advantages and disadvantages.

The classic tunnel bowthruster is a proven design and relatively simple and is the cheapest option. It also has the highest drag. The Jeanneau hulls are designed for this type of bowthruster.

The retractable thruster is next on the price scale and has low drag, but has more moving parts.

The jet is a novel concept, with less drag due to the smaller through-hulls; but a bit more complexity and certainly price.

Are you going to be racing your boat? I can't tell where you are located - perhaps labour/haulout costs and product supply play a role.

[Mistroma]

Zanshin has covered the options.

A nearby boat had a lot of work done to fix his retracting unit last year and 2 friends had problems with their installations. I think that's 3 boats in 3 years. Not statistically significant but lends some weight to comments about reliability.

I remember speaking to some one who'd burnt out a tunnel version with excessive use but think is was his own fault. Really only designed for short bursts with long intervals between use.

My tunnel unit is handy but rarely used. I remember Spanish onlookers offering to help when the wind was pushing us onto a pontoon. I thanked them and said I'd try by myself initially. I simply used a spring from the stern and reversed to force the bows out by around 30 degrees. They were puzzled and said my bowthruster was very quiet. I said that I wasn't using my bowthruster and tried to explain what was happening, not certain it helped.

I think it takes longer to start the retracting models but don't think it's an issue. I usually turn ours on when planning to manoeuvre into a berth, just in case. I'd do the same with a retractable version to have it ready for immediate use and a delay wouldn't be a problem.

[reiner]

Hello,
there was an article in the German magazine Yacht.
The retractable  bowthruster was the reason for a sunken Jeanneau I think in April.
On many boats it is now necessary to improve the system.
My feeling is that the tunnel has a higher drag but is simpler and perhaps therefore 
more save. Better to reduce the water resistance by a folding prop.

[bereboot]

Also in Breskens a bavaria sank due to the retractable bow truster.

[Zanshin]

Correction:

Dec 31, 2023 7:20:35 GMT bereboot said:

Also in Breskens a bavaria sank due to the retractable bow thruster.

should read "Also in Breskens a Bavaria sank due to the retractable bow thruster having been installed incorrectly.

(Link to article.)