DIY TECH Thrusters can make docking easier By | Andrew McDonald C orners like it's on rails. You can almost see it. A car with a low centre of gravity takes a curve. The driver shifts through the gears and exits the bend with speed and grace. Stops on a dime. That same vehicle smoothly downshifts and comes to a complete stop as though hitting an invisible barrier. Most of our sailing metaphors evoke thoughts and feelings of strong winds pushing a sleek racer faster, or perhaps the crew tacking or gybing around a mark. We don't seem to have the same colourful expressions to describe the movement of a power or sailing vessel at slow speeds. Poetic statements aren't being made about pulling away from dock on a misty morning, or tying off when returning at sunset. Shouldn't there be? The boat moves with, or against the wind. It sneaks into dock like a thief in the night. Turns with the barest touch of the helm. Or perhaps, Spins like she has thrusters. ...and less embarrassing! Note how far forward the unit is mounted, and the lack of holes below the waterline. THE ADVANTAGES OF THRUSTERS By incorporating bow and stern thrusters, a boat with a single engine can move 46 CANADIAN YACHTING | MAY 2022 as easily from side-to-side as fore and aft. A large boat in a crowded slip can be 'wiggled' into tight spaces, and maneuverability is possible without touching the