Doug I use to push a 220 foot barge carrying 250,000 gallons of fuel
all over the gulf coast for a company called Grasso.

Did it with a single screw tug the Cherokee Warrior with an 8-71
detroit. Did not have a bow thruster or a steermaster.

IMO a bow thruster is not needed for such a small vessel as yours
unless your just a bad boat handler. You just need much more practice.

Joe