Needs to maintain cat steering floating downriver

I have drifted river channels in smaller boats and what usually happens is the river currents or windage or wakes tend to push you off the main channel rather quickly.

The romantic Mark Twain notion of the troller as a nudger is sort of just that. I think you'll find staying course down the main channel under gas power at low speeds much more pleasant than fighting the elements. The current and rudders is/are also no guarantee you'll float straight.

Was gonna stay out of it, but I don't see it working as you think it will.

Have you ever drifted her as is downriver?

 

I haven't had the pleasure of taking the boat down a river yet but am under the impression that you only have control going faster than the current to retain steering. as mentioned earlier so the bow thruster takes over the role of the rudder and drive yet it is sitting transversely/across the bow. It may work better or have to correct less if there were two, and maybe set on the beam amidship I guess it would be called. anything more than a gentle nudge you would use the outboard, such as docking or eddy's, the thrusters act a bit like tug boats, more push than pull though . My experience is with tidal narrows and when the water grips the boat it is unsettling and the helm starts working harder and upping concentration. I think the bow thruster will be working a lot , similar to running, wind astern for the auto pilot under sail. A strong wind/ current they'll be correcting constantly. "Ahh the river" said Ratty, 'nothing like messing about with a boat", I would like to drift past our water rats, they're a bit like otters, on the to do list.

 

The bow mounted small troller will work like a motor on a bobber at low speeds. The shape of the hull is not round, of course, but the engine will be pulling you into the main channel and the currents will be operating against the rudder position (likely straight) and I suspect you'll find the only way to operate is at some steady throttle position whether electric or gas to avoid currents spinning you like a bobber.

The real good reason for electric bow mounted trollers has been well established. They are best suited to help you hold a position on structure while fishing or to maintain some ridiculously slow speed whilst on a calm lake trolling.

You'll find them expensive and unwhelming for the stated purpose.