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Dick and Jayne Gragert
Thruster Man, Dick GragertNOVEMBER 2011 Houseboat MagazineNEWSLETTERFACEBOOKSHAREOne of the primary benefits of selecting HydraNautics thrusters over other thruster systems is the ability to retrofit bow and stern thrusters on site-within a day's time-without having to pull your houseboat out of the water. Dick Gragert hits the road on a regular basis to install these systems throughout the country. Along with over 25 years of experience in the industry, Gragert is a houseboater himself and understands how these vessels differ from other types of boats.
If you've purchased a used boat or launched a custom model without these handy docking aids and find that you're now in the market for thrusters, you've found your man. Gragert understands all too well that retrofitting thrusters can create a host of logistical issues-the biggest one probably being cost. At an installation, this thruster expert will stick around to ensure you're fully satisfied with your new thruster system before heading out. "We offer a performance guarantee," explains Gragert. "We won't leave the dock until the houseboater owner has tested his system and is satisfied with it."
When HydraNautics first came on the scene, it was a new design. Hydraulic-driven thrusters weren't the standard. Most systems were electric and could only handle shorter bursts before overheating. Throughout the years, HydraNautics has evolved its technology to effectively utilize generator power to run thruster systems. Other types of hydraulic systems run a load on the generator constantly. This full-time load draws power anytime it's running-even when you're anchored out in a cove or underway. In some systems, as much as 3kw of power may be wasted-25 percent of the power if you're running a 12kw generator.
HydraNautics' clutch-driven system solves this problem and simultaneously offers other benefits. Aside from being able to sustain longer bursts, HydraNautics' belt-driven clutch system only pulls power from the generator while the thruster is in use. This clutch drive eliminates a constant load on the generator and not only saves energy but fuel and wear and tear on your systems as well.
You may be wondering how it's possible to install an entire thruster system in only one day or less. All HydraNautics thrusters are custom-built to fit the specific boat before taken to the dock for installation. No need for on-site fabrication saves the customer valuable time.
Gragert strongly recommends his stern thrusters to houseboat owners looking to add a thruster system. That's because his product is unique from other systems. HydraNautics' stern thruster is a tubeless thruster and offers more strength and leverage than the typical stern thruster. This unique design is so powerful that it actually enables the boat to turn while running at full speed.
When asked which type of the thruster is best, Gragert is very specific about clarifying his recommendation. "Having both HydraNautics bow and stern thrusters is the ultimate setup for being able to comfortably maneuver and dock your houseboat in difficult conditions, but as great as our bow thruster is, if I was forced to choose one or the other, I wouldn't want to be without the stern because of the way it reacts and does things for you the other brands simply can't do. On the other hand, if we are talking about our competitor's thrusters which are tube style, I would recommend the bow because you would be very disappointed if you chose the stern only"
Another common question is "How big of a generator do I need?" Gragert makes his recommendations based on a number of factors, among which cost and size of the generator are big ones.
"The generator engine is the same size on the Westerbeke eight, ten, 12.5 and 15 kilowatt models. Any of these generators would be acceptable. If you are buying a new boat, a 20 kw would be recommended."
In addition to on-site installation of existing boats, HydraNautics also works directly with manufacturers to install thruster systems on new customs as well. Sharpe Houseboats is one company that uses HydraNautics exclusively. Initially, Joe Sharpe, owner of Sharpe Houseboats, approached Gragert to build thruster systems. The team has been a success ever since. "We've tried other systems and simply put, HydraNautics are the best," said Joe Sharpe."Actually, Dick has developed a new prop with better bite and more thrust than ever before and with the boats getting bigger, it's nice to have thruster systems that can accommodate them."
Even the best captain can get into serious trouble trying to navigate a houseboat, on a windy day. Because of its shallow draft and height, a houseboat behaves differently than other types of vessels-it's just like a sail when the wind kicks up. And Mother Nature isn't kind when your expensive boat is headed straight for the dock or another vessel.
Because Gragert has always been a houseboater, he understands the industry and the needs of houseboaters better than anyone else. This Kentucky-based owner realizes that saving energy, gas and wear and tear are important elements of building the ideal houseboat system.
If you've purchased a used boat or launched a custom model without these handy docking aids and find that you're now in the market for thrusters, you've found your man. Gragert understands all too well that retrofitting thrusters can create a host of logistical issues-the biggest one probably being cost. At an installation, this thruster expert will stick around to ensure you're fully satisfied with your new thruster system before heading out. "We offer a performance guarantee," explains Gragert. "We won't leave the dock until the houseboater owner has tested his system and is satisfied with it."
When HydraNautics first came on the scene, it was a new design. Hydraulic-driven thrusters weren't the standard. Most systems were electric and could only handle shorter bursts before overheating. Throughout the years, HydraNautics has evolved its technology to effectively utilize generator power to run thruster systems. Other types of hydraulic systems run a load on the generator constantly. This full-time load draws power anytime it's running-even when you're anchored out in a cove or underway. In some systems, as much as 3kw of power may be wasted-25 percent of the power if you're running a 12kw generator.
HydraNautics' clutch-driven system solves this problem and simultaneously offers other benefits. Aside from being able to sustain longer bursts, HydraNautics' belt-driven clutch system only pulls power from the generator while the thruster is in use. This clutch drive eliminates a constant load on the generator and not only saves energy but fuel and wear and tear on your systems as well.
You may be wondering how it's possible to install an entire thruster system in only one day or less. All HydraNautics thrusters are custom-built to fit the specific boat before taken to the dock for installation. No need for on-site fabrication saves the customer valuable time.
Gragert strongly recommends his stern thrusters to houseboat owners looking to add a thruster system. That's because his product is unique from other systems. HydraNautics' stern thruster is a tubeless thruster and offers more strength and leverage than the typical stern thruster. This unique design is so powerful that it actually enables the boat to turn while running at full speed.
When asked which type of the thruster is best, Gragert is very specific about clarifying his recommendation. "Having both HydraNautics bow and stern thrusters is the ultimate setup for being able to comfortably maneuver and dock your houseboat in difficult conditions, but as great as our bow thruster is, if I was forced to choose one or the other, I wouldn't want to be without the stern because of the way it reacts and does things for you the other brands simply can't do. On the other hand, if we are talking about our competitor's thrusters which are tube style, I would recommend the bow because you would be very disappointed if you chose the stern only"
Another common question is "How big of a generator do I need?" Gragert makes his recommendations based on a number of factors, among which cost and size of the generator are big ones.
"The generator engine is the same size on the Westerbeke eight, ten, 12.5 and 15 kilowatt models. Any of these generators would be acceptable. If you are buying a new boat, a 20 kw would be recommended."
In addition to on-site installation of existing boats, HydraNautics also works directly with manufacturers to install thruster systems on new customs as well. Sharpe Houseboats is one company that uses HydraNautics exclusively. Initially, Joe Sharpe, owner of Sharpe Houseboats, approached Gragert to build thruster systems. The team has been a success ever since. "We've tried other systems and simply put, HydraNautics are the best," said Joe Sharpe."Actually, Dick has developed a new prop with better bite and more thrust than ever before and with the boats getting bigger, it's nice to have thruster systems that can accommodate them."
Even the best captain can get into serious trouble trying to navigate a houseboat, on a windy day. Because of its shallow draft and height, a houseboat behaves differently than other types of vessels-it's just like a sail when the wind kicks up. And Mother Nature isn't kind when your expensive boat is headed straight for the dock or another vessel.
Because Gragert has always been a houseboater, he understands the industry and the needs of houseboaters better than anyone else. This Kentucky-based owner realizes that saving energy, gas and wear and tear are important elements of building the ideal houseboat system.
30 Years Of HouseboatingDick Gragert’s HydraNautics and the houseboating industryOCTOBER 2019 FEATURE EMILY FITZPATRICK
Houseboat MagazineNEWSLETTERFACEBOOKSHAREHow does a successful business get its start? There are a number of answers to this question, any of which could be right. However, the general response seems to be a lot of hard work and a little bit of luck that steers you in the right direction. In other words, it’s a mystery formula.If anyone in the houseboating industry has figured out that formula it’s Dick Gragert, the creator of HydraNautics. The likelihood that you’ve met him is strong, especially if you’ve had one of his thrusters installed on your boat. But do you know the story behind how he got where he is today?
About The Legend
Gragert was in the flying business long before he became a houseboater. He served as a helicopter pilot in Vietnam where he received two Purple Hearts and a Distinguished Flying Cross. He came to Kentucky as Evil Knievel’s helicopter pilot and then stayed after the stunt performer and entertainer did a jump on Kings Island. Soon Gragert’s interest began to shift as he evolved into an avid barefoot water skier.“I was wearing out boat drivers going to the lake,” Gragert reminisced. “They only wanted to get out of the sun and into the A.C., so I thought having a houseboat would be the solution. I ended up trading an airplane to Joe Sharp, the owner at the time of Sumerset Houseboats. I was getting everything on it and I asked about thrusters and they said, ‘Dick you’re a helicopter pilot. You don’t need them and they’re not very good anyway.’” And just like that, Gragert began creating his own thrusters. From there it was off to the races. First, his neighbors saw and wanted them, then friends of friends, and soon enough HydraNautics was taking on a life of its own with Gragert’s hard work keeping it soaring as the houseboat market boomed.Believing In HydraNauticsA common saying is that in order to be a good salesman you have to believe in your product. Perhaps this explains why Gragert has always blown the competition out of the water with his HydraNautics thrusters. However, Gragert doesn’t just believe in his product. He also guarantees that it will satisfy every customer.I would go out to install them I would tell them, ‘Look. If when I fire them up you’re not just tickled to death and it isn’t better than you thought it was going to be then I’ll take them off and go home and you don’t owe me anything.’ I’ve always said that and in 30 years I’ve never taken them off and gone home.”
Once houseboaters try HydraNautics they never go back thanks to its high-quality performance. Gragert estimates there are now about 3,500 boats with his thrusters on them. Installing new thrusters as well as taking care of old ones keeps Gragert on his toes constantly.Too Close For ComfortGragert can recall any number of stories about his time in the houseboating industry, but one of his favorites is from a simple trip to install a thruster on a houseboat in Florida. It was a routine trip. Gragert met with the owner shortly before he disappeared elsewhere and hopped on the houseboat to get to work.
As he worked on installing his thrusters onto the houseboat he could see eyes looking at him and felt things brushing up against his legs, so he hurried up and did the job and got out of the water.
“When they guy got back I asked him, ‘Are there alligators in here?’” Gragert recalled. “And he says, ‘Oh yeah, we never get in the water around here.’ That was nice of him to say after the fact. He also told me how his mother feeds chickens to them off the back of the boat. I don’t know how that guy thought I was going to get those thrusters on there without getting in the water.”
Alligators aren’t the only oddities Gragert has come across during his time installing thrusters. He’s come across plenty of other animals, such as snakes, and any odd number of situations. However, he has never had a problem getting the job finished and pleasing his customers.
The Truth About The Future
The houseboating industry has had many ups and downs, but we can all admit that the industry has had more downs than ups lately with many titans closing their doors. There was a time when houseboating was booming, but unfortunately we’ve entered an era where it’s beginning to slow.
“It isn’t always the good guys win,” Gragert said. “You always think the best ones survive, but that’s not always true. But it is what it is. I think a lot of these boats are going to get older. I bought a houseboat in 2004 and I sold it just recently in December for more than I paid for it. Compared to what is available today, some of the prices and what you get don't compare with what you could get in the past.”
One of the major differences between houseboating now and houseboating back then is the cost of purchasing a boat. For many people, it is just too expensive to afford unless they are looking at a used market. However, there is still hope that the houseboating industry will get its boom again, especially since there is so much room for newcomers and old manufacturers that wish to make a comeback.
Why We Keep Going
Despite the tough times the houseboating market has seen, especially recently, Gragert loves his job. For 30 years he’s been the owner and creator of HydraNautics, as well as a houseboater himself, and he looks forward to more years to come of pleasing his customers with his thrusters.Gragert shared, “I always like to see the smile on that customer’s face when I turn them on the first time. The smile and the amazement. Almost every time they say they didn’t realize they were going to be that powerful.”
No matter what the industry faces, it’s the moments where he is able to connect and makes a difference in the lives of houseboaters that keep Gragert pushing forward. And in reality, those moments of connection are what keep us all pushing forward and looking excitedly toward more days of houseboating in our future.
About The Legend
Gragert was in the flying business long before he became a houseboater. He served as a helicopter pilot in Vietnam where he received two Purple Hearts and a Distinguished Flying Cross. He came to Kentucky as Evil Knievel’s helicopter pilot and then stayed after the stunt performer and entertainer did a jump on Kings Island. Soon Gragert’s interest began to shift as he evolved into an avid barefoot water skier.“I was wearing out boat drivers going to the lake,” Gragert reminisced. “They only wanted to get out of the sun and into the A.C., so I thought having a houseboat would be the solution. I ended up trading an airplane to Joe Sharp, the owner at the time of Sumerset Houseboats. I was getting everything on it and I asked about thrusters and they said, ‘Dick you’re a helicopter pilot. You don’t need them and they’re not very good anyway.’” And just like that, Gragert began creating his own thrusters. From there it was off to the races. First, his neighbors saw and wanted them, then friends of friends, and soon enough HydraNautics was taking on a life of its own with Gragert’s hard work keeping it soaring as the houseboat market boomed.Believing In HydraNauticsA common saying is that in order to be a good salesman you have to believe in your product. Perhaps this explains why Gragert has always blown the competition out of the water with his HydraNautics thrusters. However, Gragert doesn’t just believe in his product. He also guarantees that it will satisfy every customer.I would go out to install them I would tell them, ‘Look. If when I fire them up you’re not just tickled to death and it isn’t better than you thought it was going to be then I’ll take them off and go home and you don’t owe me anything.’ I’ve always said that and in 30 years I’ve never taken them off and gone home.”
Once houseboaters try HydraNautics they never go back thanks to its high-quality performance. Gragert estimates there are now about 3,500 boats with his thrusters on them. Installing new thrusters as well as taking care of old ones keeps Gragert on his toes constantly.Too Close For ComfortGragert can recall any number of stories about his time in the houseboating industry, but one of his favorites is from a simple trip to install a thruster on a houseboat in Florida. It was a routine trip. Gragert met with the owner shortly before he disappeared elsewhere and hopped on the houseboat to get to work.
As he worked on installing his thrusters onto the houseboat he could see eyes looking at him and felt things brushing up against his legs, so he hurried up and did the job and got out of the water.
“When they guy got back I asked him, ‘Are there alligators in here?’” Gragert recalled. “And he says, ‘Oh yeah, we never get in the water around here.’ That was nice of him to say after the fact. He also told me how his mother feeds chickens to them off the back of the boat. I don’t know how that guy thought I was going to get those thrusters on there without getting in the water.”
Alligators aren’t the only oddities Gragert has come across during his time installing thrusters. He’s come across plenty of other animals, such as snakes, and any odd number of situations. However, he has never had a problem getting the job finished and pleasing his customers.
The Truth About The Future
The houseboating industry has had many ups and downs, but we can all admit that the industry has had more downs than ups lately with many titans closing their doors. There was a time when houseboating was booming, but unfortunately we’ve entered an era where it’s beginning to slow.
“It isn’t always the good guys win,” Gragert said. “You always think the best ones survive, but that’s not always true. But it is what it is. I think a lot of these boats are going to get older. I bought a houseboat in 2004 and I sold it just recently in December for more than I paid for it. Compared to what is available today, some of the prices and what you get don't compare with what you could get in the past.”
One of the major differences between houseboating now and houseboating back then is the cost of purchasing a boat. For many people, it is just too expensive to afford unless they are looking at a used market. However, there is still hope that the houseboating industry will get its boom again, especially since there is so much room for newcomers and old manufacturers that wish to make a comeback.
Why We Keep Going
Despite the tough times the houseboating market has seen, especially recently, Gragert loves his job. For 30 years he’s been the owner and creator of HydraNautics, as well as a houseboater himself, and he looks forward to more years to come of pleasing his customers with his thrusters.Gragert shared, “I always like to see the smile on that customer’s face when I turn them on the first time. The smile and the amazement. Almost every time they say they didn’t realize they were going to be that powerful.”
No matter what the industry faces, it’s the moments where he is able to connect and makes a difference in the lives of houseboaters that keep Gragert pushing forward. And in reality, those moments of connection are what keep us all pushing forward and looking excitedly toward more days of houseboating in our future.
Why they call him the Thruster Man
JULY 2015 FEATURE BRADY L. KAY
Houseboat Magazine
There is a familiar echo vibrating from the Lake Cumberland docks in central Kentucky that you can count on hearing every year at the On Water National Houseboat Expo. That sound is HydraNautics owner Dick Gragert demonstrating the thrust of his powerful thrusters. Gragert loves showing off the power that is available to houseboat owners who wish they would have gone with a bigger thruster or for those who simply regret not getting any type of thruster and think it’s too late.
While tied to the dock with a little extra slack in the mooring line, Gragert whips the bow of his houseboat back and forth throughout the three-day show as he demonstrates his bolt-on thrusters. The quick motion always grabs attendee’s attention, as curiosity draws them in for a closer look.
One of the primary benefits of selecting HydraNautics thrusters over other thruster systems is the ability to retrofit stern thrusters on site—within a day's time—without having to pull your houseboat out of the water. Gragert, who is best known in the industry as the Thruster Man, hits the road on a regular basis to install these systems throughout the country. Along with nearly 30 years of experience in the industry, Gragert is a houseboater himself and understands how these vessels differ from other types of boats.
While the demonstration at the annual houseboat show at State Dock always draws a crowd, the Houseboat magazine staff wanted to see how the thrusters perform in a real docking situation with a little bit of a cross wind.
Going For A SpinFollowing the June Expo, the Houseboat staff took a ride with Gragert and his wife Jane on their Sharpe houseboat. Even though there was a steady breeze, the Thruster Man was a little disappointed that he wasn’t seeing whitecaps on this day as he had been looking forward to this cruise and really wanted to show what his thrusters were capable of on even those windy days when no houseboat should really be out.
While out in the middle of the lake with the State Dock Marina still clearly in sight, Gragert started the demo ride by showing how quickly his 84-foot houseboat can spin a tight 360-degree circle using his thrusters. Those observing from the docks surely must have got a little amusement out of seeing a boat this size spinning circles like a 16-year-old who just got his driver’s license. At one point his wife Jane gave her husband that look that let him know she’d had enough of this merry-go-round ride.
Straight LineAs we made our way to the Gragert’s home marina, the breeze picked up a little but still not enough in the Thruster Man’s eyes. From the comfort of his helm seat, Gragert gently pulled his boat into the slip with zero hesitation and without a single issue. Our cruise only further proved that every houseboat needs a thruster system and docking in any condition doesn’t have to be a scary experience.
Why HydraNauticsIf you've purchased a used boat or launched a custom model without these handy docking aids and find that you're now in the market for thrusters, HydraNautics is worthy of a closer look. Gragert understands all too well that retrofitting thrusters can create a host of logistical issues—the biggest one probably being cost. At an installation, this thruster expert will stick around to ensure you're fully satisfied with your new thruster system before heading out.
“We offer a performance guarantee,” explains Gragert. “We won't leave the dock until the houseboat owner has tested his system and is satisfied with it.” When HydraNautics first came on the scene, it was a new design. Hydraulic-driven thrusters weren't the standard. Most systems were electric and could only handle shorter bursts before overheating. Throughout the years, HydraNautics has evolved its technology to effectively utilize generator power to run thruster systems. Other types of hydraulic systems run a load on the generator constantly. This full-time load draws power anytime it's running—even when you're anchored out in a cove or underway. In some systems as much as 3kw of power may be wasted, which is roughly 25 percent of the power if you're running a 12kw generator.HydraNautics' clutch-driven system solves this problem and simultaneously offers other benefits. Aside from being able to sustain longer bursts, HydraNautics' belt-driven clutch system only pulls power from the generator while the thruster is in use. This clutch drive eliminates a constant load on the generator and not only saves energy but fuel and wear and tear on your systems as well.
Power Is KeyGragert strongly recommends his stern thrusters to houseboat owners looking to add a thruster system. That's because his product is unique from other systems. HydraNautics' stern thruster is a tubeless thruster and offers more strength and leverage than the typical stern thruster. The design is so powerful that it actually enables the boat to turn while running at full speed.
When asked which type of the thruster is best, Gragert is very specific about clarifying his recommendation.
“Having both HydraNautics bow and stern thrusters is the ultimate setup for being able to comfortably maneuver and dock your houseboat in difficult conditions. But as great as our bow thruster is, if I was forced to choose one or the other, I wouldn't want to be without the stern because of the way it reacts and does things for you the other brands simply can't do,” said Gragert. “On the other hand, if we are talking about our competitor's thrusters which are a tube style, I would recommend the bow because you would be very disappointed if you chose the stern only.”
Before Or AfterIn addition to on-site installation of existing boats, HydraNautics also works directly with manufacturers to install thruster systems on new customs as well. Even the best captain can get into serious trouble trying to navigate a houseboat on a windy day. Because of its shallow draft and height, a houseboat behaves differently than other types of vessels—it's just like a sail when the wind kicks up. And Mother Nature isn't kind when your expensive boat is headed straight for the dock or another vessel.
Because Gragert has always been a houseboater, he understands the industry and the needs of houseboaters better than anyone else. This Kentucky-based owner realizes that saving energy, gas and wear and tear are important elements of building the ideal houseboat system.
While tied to the dock with a little extra slack in the mooring line, Gragert whips the bow of his houseboat back and forth throughout the three-day show as he demonstrates his bolt-on thrusters. The quick motion always grabs attendee’s attention, as curiosity draws them in for a closer look.
One of the primary benefits of selecting HydraNautics thrusters over other thruster systems is the ability to retrofit stern thrusters on site—within a day's time—without having to pull your houseboat out of the water. Gragert, who is best known in the industry as the Thruster Man, hits the road on a regular basis to install these systems throughout the country. Along with nearly 30 years of experience in the industry, Gragert is a houseboater himself and understands how these vessels differ from other types of boats.
While the demonstration at the annual houseboat show at State Dock always draws a crowd, the Houseboat magazine staff wanted to see how the thrusters perform in a real docking situation with a little bit of a cross wind.
Going For A SpinFollowing the June Expo, the Houseboat staff took a ride with Gragert and his wife Jane on their Sharpe houseboat. Even though there was a steady breeze, the Thruster Man was a little disappointed that he wasn’t seeing whitecaps on this day as he had been looking forward to this cruise and really wanted to show what his thrusters were capable of on even those windy days when no houseboat should really be out.
While out in the middle of the lake with the State Dock Marina still clearly in sight, Gragert started the demo ride by showing how quickly his 84-foot houseboat can spin a tight 360-degree circle using his thrusters. Those observing from the docks surely must have got a little amusement out of seeing a boat this size spinning circles like a 16-year-old who just got his driver’s license. At one point his wife Jane gave her husband that look that let him know she’d had enough of this merry-go-round ride.
Straight LineAs we made our way to the Gragert’s home marina, the breeze picked up a little but still not enough in the Thruster Man’s eyes. From the comfort of his helm seat, Gragert gently pulled his boat into the slip with zero hesitation and without a single issue. Our cruise only further proved that every houseboat needs a thruster system and docking in any condition doesn’t have to be a scary experience.
Why HydraNauticsIf you've purchased a used boat or launched a custom model without these handy docking aids and find that you're now in the market for thrusters, HydraNautics is worthy of a closer look. Gragert understands all too well that retrofitting thrusters can create a host of logistical issues—the biggest one probably being cost. At an installation, this thruster expert will stick around to ensure you're fully satisfied with your new thruster system before heading out.
“We offer a performance guarantee,” explains Gragert. “We won't leave the dock until the houseboat owner has tested his system and is satisfied with it.” When HydraNautics first came on the scene, it was a new design. Hydraulic-driven thrusters weren't the standard. Most systems were electric and could only handle shorter bursts before overheating. Throughout the years, HydraNautics has evolved its technology to effectively utilize generator power to run thruster systems. Other types of hydraulic systems run a load on the generator constantly. This full-time load draws power anytime it's running—even when you're anchored out in a cove or underway. In some systems as much as 3kw of power may be wasted, which is roughly 25 percent of the power if you're running a 12kw generator.HydraNautics' clutch-driven system solves this problem and simultaneously offers other benefits. Aside from being able to sustain longer bursts, HydraNautics' belt-driven clutch system only pulls power from the generator while the thruster is in use. This clutch drive eliminates a constant load on the generator and not only saves energy but fuel and wear and tear on your systems as well.
Power Is KeyGragert strongly recommends his stern thrusters to houseboat owners looking to add a thruster system. That's because his product is unique from other systems. HydraNautics' stern thruster is a tubeless thruster and offers more strength and leverage than the typical stern thruster. The design is so powerful that it actually enables the boat to turn while running at full speed.
When asked which type of the thruster is best, Gragert is very specific about clarifying his recommendation.
“Having both HydraNautics bow and stern thrusters is the ultimate setup for being able to comfortably maneuver and dock your houseboat in difficult conditions. But as great as our bow thruster is, if I was forced to choose one or the other, I wouldn't want to be without the stern because of the way it reacts and does things for you the other brands simply can't do,” said Gragert. “On the other hand, if we are talking about our competitor's thrusters which are a tube style, I would recommend the bow because you would be very disappointed if you chose the stern only.”
Before Or AfterIn addition to on-site installation of existing boats, HydraNautics also works directly with manufacturers to install thruster systems on new customs as well. Even the best captain can get into serious trouble trying to navigate a houseboat on a windy day. Because of its shallow draft and height, a houseboat behaves differently than other types of vessels—it's just like a sail when the wind kicks up. And Mother Nature isn't kind when your expensive boat is headed straight for the dock or another vessel.
Because Gragert has always been a houseboater, he understands the industry and the needs of houseboaters better than anyone else. This Kentucky-based owner realizes that saving energy, gas and wear and tear are important elements of building the ideal houseboat system.
- "I've tried to live a life wothy of the two young crewmembers who lost their lives serving their country with me" Dick Gragert
★★★★★
★★★★★
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