Boating Industry Canada June 2015 - (Page 22)

maDe In CanaDa sideshift thrusters It's crowded out there! BY GLEN CAIRNS We have all been onlookers, and some of us unhappy particiSideshift has experienced steady growth with the increased pants, in various docking disasters brought on due to chal- acceptance of external thrusters both by the industry and the lenging conditions, tight marinas, mechanical failure, owner boating public. Sales are mostly made through the website panic, etc. Indeed many boats get far too little use due to the which is very comprehensive and allows the boat owner to owner's lack of confidence handling their boat in all but the select the system most suitable for their particular size of boat. most benign conditions. Modern sailboats respond quickly to According to Sideshift CEO Rob Griffen, it is the DIY aspect the helm and usually back down more easily than their long that is crucial to their success. Few owners would contemplate keeled cousins, but light displacement and shallow hull forms installing their own tunnel thruster, however the majority of also allow them to be easily blown off course and this can be Sideshift units are installed by the customer who will see savvery alarming in confined spaces. Likewise the typical twin ings of 50% or more over conventional units. The target marengine power cruiser may be maneuverable, but often have plenty of windage, Sideshift Inc. bowthruster on an express cruiser. which can make them a handful in blustery weather. In both cases a bow thruster and or stern thruster will give the operator almost complete control in even the worst conditions. Ottawa-based Sideshift Inc. was founded in 2001 by brothers Mark and Steve Houle. Together they developed the first externally mounted bow thruster, which has some distinct advantages over traditional tube style thrusters. Unlike a tunnel thruster, installing the Sideshift thruster is within the reach of the average boat owner. Featuring silent, no-vibration motor technology, a wireless joystick and DIY installation system these thrusters make a very attractive alternative to conventional tunnel thrusters. 22 Boating Industry Canada JUNE 2015

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Boating Industry Canada June 2015

Insight
Industry News
Impact: Rob Rule
Industry: Marine Tech Crisis
GE Spotlight
Ad Nauseam
Marketing: Beating the Boomer Bust
Made In Canada: Sideshift Thrusters
Made In Canada: Nova Braid
The Boat Shop: NMEA
The Boat Shop: ABYC

Boating Industry Canada June 2015