what ever happened to Jet (Bow / Stern) Thrusters?

[2020]

current info on them seems to have disappeared a few years ago. Were they a fad? Are they any good? Does anyone here actually have them installed on a monohull sail boat over 50feet? The sales and youtube world were full of WOW sales and comment BUT I have NEVER met anyone who actually has the damned things installed. Pity, I loved the concept and now it seems they may have been nonsense or not quite 'up to the hype'.
any comments?

[Tin Tin]

Originally Posted by 2020

current info on them seems to have disappeared a few years ago. Were they a fad? Are they any good? Does anyone here actually have them installed on a monohull sail boat over 50feet? The sales and youtube world were full of WOW sales and comment BUT I have NEVER met anyone who actually has the damned things installed. Pity, I loved the concept and now it seems they may have been nonsense or not quite 'up to the hype'.
any comments?

first pop up on google https://www.jetthruster.com/

[2020]

Gday TinTin, yeah seen them, they look good too eh. (but I've never seen a bad brochure - seems everyone who works for the company says they're awesome
I see a bunch of other companies who made them don't seem to be uhmm,'boasting' about their products any more and that makes me a little cautious.
Does anyone here have any personal experience?

[Ballsnall]

Technically all bow thrusters (tunnel style) could be considered jet thrusters.

[JPA Cate]

They are barnacle collectors. Big time.

Ann

[Ballsnall]

Originally Posted by JPA Cate

They are barnacle collectors. Big time.
Ann

Reminds me of boats.

[Scorpius]

They are very popular in the Pacific Northwest. With our currents docking is often very challenging and bow thrusters are a big help. There are far fewer stern thrusters but there are some. Both are used on both power and sail monohulls and I have seen a few on catamarans.

[2020]

Originally Posted by JPA Cate

They are barnacle collectors. Big time.

Ann

Yeah that concerned me. Is that a conjectural statement or based on your experience?
Would there be a benefit in regular use?
Do any of them use a flapper checkvalve - possibly springloaded - of some sort? this would maybe mitigate ingress?