Add After market bow Thruster on New R30?

[MBSOB]

I am about to order a '22 R30.

I am dithering on whether to get a joystick or an aftermarket bow thruster. Some old school types tell me that the joystick makes docking a breeze, but also that I should learn to maneuver the boat without it like most people did forever before joysticks. So don't get the joystick, they say. A middle ground, my dealer suggested, would be to get an after market bow thruster installed (cant get it on the R30 from cobalt). The joystick costs a whopping $25k. And the after market bow thruster costs around $10k. Meaningful difference. Finally, and I guess the most important for me, is that I hate the idea of drilling a hole (2 holes actually) in the hull of my brand new boat (will have it professionally done, of course). Thoughts on any aspect of this?

[Snowman8]

It is really expensive but get the joystick and don’t look back. Or just learn how to dock it just using the twin engines. The all or nothing approach I guess..

[Big Block Power]

1000000%get the joystick! If you really want to stick it like the rest of us just don't use the joystick. It still has 2 levers
But I bet the first time you pull up to the dock and use the joystick you will never say boy I should just Manually dock this thing.

[AsLan7]

1000000%get the joystick! If you really want to stick it like the rest of us just don't use the joystick. It still has 2 levers
But I bet the first time you pull up to the dock and use the joystick you will never say boy I should just Manually dock this thing.

.
+1

[dentech]

2021 R30 owner here. Do yourself a huge favor. Bite the bullet and get the joystick! I can,t speak to the experience of thrusters but the joystick, in my opinion, is life changing on a boat this size. Many times I have successfully played around with docking manually in a 12X28 foot slip. On a calm water and calm wind day, no worries for manual docking. We have very few of those on TRL. I'm curious as to why Cobalt does not offer thrusters on the R30.( perhaps due to the higher profit margin on a joystick ) Also, thats a 25K cost MSRP.

[MBSOB]

Thanks for the thoughts. The other issue with an after market bow thruster is that they have to cut two holes in the hull and one in the deck of the boat to create an access panel. They are pros, so I am confident in their ability, but hate cutting holes in a new boat! Also, the hatch they put in the deck to access the thruster motor is raised a little, so it isnt flush like the other hatch doors in the deck from the factory. I think there are definite benefits to the thruster over the joystick (aside from cost) - particularly that I think having propulsion at the bow rather than creating it from the stern may have some benefits in terms of precision/control. 15k less than joystick.

[Holy Smokes]

Confirm with Cobalt if the hull warranty is voided with the bow thruster install. Re-sell is an advantage to either of your options.

Personally, our 360 has no bow thruster and built long before joysticks. Backing into our 12' slip takes some practice, but I do it all the time.

[cmattj]

Confirm with Cobalt if the hull warranty is voided with the bow thruster install. Re-sell is an advantage to either of your options.

Personally, our 360 has no bow thruster and built long before joysticks. Backing into our 12' slip takes some practice, but I do it all the time.

Good point on Hull warranty as only a few mfg do bow thruster.

I’ve been through 2 twin engine boats with no joy stick or thrusters . Your gonna love parking them like a tank. Especially backing up on to a dock with the wind against you.

Once you spend a day practicing landing and getting off docks you may wonder if you really needed the joystick.

I vote skip and Go twin 8.2s

In a tip I got from a seasoned captain,when coming off the dock starboard side.

Turn steering toward dock.
Outside ( port ) reverse
Inside ( starboard ) forward bumping .

It will move and forward you off the dock.