Carver Owners Forum

Bought a 94 Carver Mariner 330 last spring. Brought it back from lake Ontario to the Hudson River near Albany -
Thinking about installing a bow thruster this spring. Been looking at Side power and Max Power brands, 12 & 24 VDC. Would like to know
If anyone with a similar boat has any experience or opinions on selection and install. Also boat does not have tank sensors for plastic
holding tank and aluminum water tank. Would appreciate ideas on what sensors to use. Windows leak a little but Ill leave that question for another day.
Thanks
Bus

Bus, I have the same Carver Mariner. I considered thrusters a while back, but abandoned the idea due to cost. My mechanic, ( best in the Midwest ) also agreed it wasn't worth the expense, especially when it comes to selling. His thought was to install a stern thruster only, and eliminate the drag of the bow thruster while cruising. The bow would need to be an external installation. My solution to eliminate wind issues was to replace the side windows, adding a zipper to those windows, similar to the zipper on your aft window. Eliminates 80% of the wind effect when docking. No screen on sides allows the wind to just blow through. Good luck! If you do add the thrusters, post pics on Forum and let us know if it is as effective as you planned. I did have a buddy who installed both bow and stern on a full bridge Silverton, he said it helped but not as much as he had hoped. er

OK - Thanks - Im adding zippered windows with screens this year - canvas covers entire bridge and ends behind aft seating - lots of surface area -

That is the same arrangement for the top on my 330, right behind the aft couch. I have screens on the doors and aft curtain only. Doors are always rolled up when I am onboard, and I'm thinking of just leaving the aft curtain off. Left the window part rolled up all season last year, and I did not get as much rain back there as I would have thought. My side and front windows are almost completely zippered, and no screens. The only part that catches wind is the fiberglass parts of the bridge. I am a fair weather boater, so if it is nasty, I don't go out or I stay in the cabin at the slip. er