I didn't realize that moving water encouraged marine growth.

Joe wrote:
Well I did not think so either, but it does. Mostly filter feeders
like barnicles.


OK, that makes sense... the current brings them more food than they'd get in still water.



Or a bow thruster.

Stern thruster you mean? Bows Ok every time, just backing down make
the stern kick out from the dock.

Maybe if you ease into reverse sooner & more gently so as not to get so much kick?

One thing I worry about is our tranny linkage. I tend to shift in and out of gear often,
using busrts of forward against the rudder to put the stern where I want it. I also check
the linakge every day, but I still think about it. It's difficult to keep the boat out of
situations where a linkage failure could lead to trouble.

Given a choice between stern or bow thruster, I'd take one at the bow. If you can swing
the bow where you want it, independently, you're not nearly so dependent on forward speed
to steer and can use the rudder & prop walk to bring the stern where you want it. Just
MHO....

Fresh Breezes- Doug King