Robert,
I have the Side Shift stern thruster on our '14 Benny 2550 RCL. I have to say without a doubt, it's by far the best improvement in ANY slow speed/docking/trailer retrieval situation. I did the install myself and it was a kick in the butt to install. The remote/joy stick is totally wireless other than a 12V+ wire for power which comes from under the helm. I have used it soooooo many times in so many situations that without it, would be seriously tougher to handle. My only regret is, I should have bit the bullet and purchased both the stern and bow units. I thought I'd be just fine with the stern unit and I am. It's just that the bow unit would double the agility of those floating barges.
A prime example of how well it works and when. 99.9999% of the time, when we're done with a days boating, we head for the ramp and I dock the boat to get ready to go get the truck and trailer. It's soooo nice to approach the dock and not have to use that 350HP engine back and forth in steering and throttle so we can nudge up to a dock. I basically aim it at the dock at about 45 degrees just coasting very slowly. At a given time, I hit that stern thruster and it brings the rear of the boat right next to the dock in perfect alignment, DONE! Then, I get the truck and trailer and back it down the ramp while the CEO brings the boat in alignment to dock onto the trailer.
While she's dang good at this sort of thing because we've been doing it for decades with various boats and trailers, there's always a potential for something to go amiss. And it happens often here in lake Havasu AZ. We have gusts of wind that emerge from nowhere and then there's boaters that are absolutely clueless on how drive their boats when others are putting theirs on their trailer and cause wakes etc. Well, she might be in perfect alignment but then due to unforseen circumstances, the boat begins to veer to one side or the other. Well, that's where I come in. I'm sitting on the tail gate of the truck watching here and as she's getting slightly out of alignment, I have the hand held remote in my hand and from a distance, I CONTROL THE BACK OF THE BOAT and re-align it PERFECTLY with the trajectory of the approach in the last few feet. It works perfect every single time.
The only issue with just having the Stern unit is, it's fairly powerful in its operation. That is yes, it will swing the rear of the boat in either direction at slower (required) speeds but, because there's nothing to counter that movement in the front, the front of the boat will begin to swing in the opposite direction but not as forcefully. This is why when using the stern unit to dock it, I have to be careful as the front will veer away easily. So care must be taken in the application of the joy stick and the reaction of the boat, both stern and bow. But all that's easily learn-able. (is that a word?)
Anyway, while the stern unit was a bit on the expensive side for us, I'd do it again in a heartbeat. But, having the ability for these large barges to "crab walk" away from and up to a dock, well, that's priceless.
Scott
