Carver Owners Forum

Hello,
My wife and I purchased our first Carver recently. She is a 1994 300 named "Just Chillin" with twin Crusader 350's. We bought it from a couple near Wilson New York on lake Ontario. Our intent is to cross the bottom of Ontario to Oswego, down the canal to the Erie and up the Champlain canal to our home port on lake Champlain. Any advice from fellow members is appreciated.
On a side note, if you could only have one thruster, would you choose a bow or stern? Thinking of installing a side-thruster before our journey.

Safe Navigating,

Steve & Anne Nix

Before going to the time and expense of installing a bow thruster, play around with the boat. You will probably find you don’t need one.
I’m on my 3rd bigger boat, 35’, 37’ and 38’. Never had a thruster and never felt like I needed one. Now, my 2 sailboats, 30’ and 34’...thruster would have been handy, but I always managed just fine. Even on my 34’ that had major reverse prop walk, I learned to take advantage of it.

Welcome aboard and congratulations on your new acquisition. Keep us posted with the detailed of your trip.

Welcome aboard. Funny thing, some friends of mine just sold a Sea Ray named "Just Chillin". They had 5 seasons of just chillin because they had so many problems. It just started running right, then they discovered an oil leak. For sale sign was the next adjustment. You have a Carver, thank God. If one thruster or the other, I would go bow. But, I agree with buster. Doubt that you need it. Your drive is straight inboard, and you will probably be able to control the vessel easily, and even move it sideways with the right technique. Your pivot point is about mid-ship. If there are locks on that trip, be very aware of their schedule. Most times the schedule is tight, especially if the traffic is heavy. Good luck! er

Welcome to the forum and Carver.....that should be a nice trip for you to get the boat home and learn as you go.

Thrusters are great and I believe the trip should let you know if one is really needed on your particular boat....by the way which one ( make thruster ) were you considering.....good luck with your new boat...

I'd go with a bow thruster vs stern, but wonder if you really need it (as others have noted).

You might find it hard to install a bow thruster in a boat that size, as it would have to be pretty far back from the bow to have enough space inside for the motor and assembly. I saw one put in on a 32' and that was pretty tight.

Sounds like a fun first trip!!

Congrats and welcome aboard Nix fam.

Just Chillin wrote:Source of the post..... Thinking of installing a side-thruster....

I'm wondering if you're referring to a Side Shift thruster? The Side Shift wouldn't be my first choice but the price is right and it's a DIY install. Whether you need a thruster or not is going to depend on several factors especially the conditions at your new home port, the destinations you plan on going to, and the type of boating you do in general. If it's constantly windy or a fast current, and you have to maneuver in tight quarters between two neighbouring boats for docking at home port, a thruster would certainly help take the anxiety out of it, otherwise with a little practice you most likely won't need one and would probably be better off putting that money toward something else. If you do go with one, I would install at the bow as others have mentioned, you shouldn't have any problems walking the stern without one there.

Pics of the trip please

Welcome

Welcome Aboard. Can't wait to see pics of your trip home after you get her home.

Thanks to all. We will definatly post pics of our journey. Yes Viper I was referring to the "Side Shift" brand because of the cost and DIY option.