Bowthruster Questions

[bottleinamessage]

Here's a picture of the intall. Shows the thruster, watermaker and a 4D AGM all tucked into the space under the forward V berth.

[James S]

Great picture Bottle....lots going on in there...and all clean, well organized and accessible.
I can’t make out a lube oil line or reservoir for the thruster...does it have one?

[MarkJ]

Originally Posted by bottleinamessage

Here's a picture of the intall. Shows the thruster, watermaker and a 4D AGM all tucked into the space under the forward V berth.

But where does the wife sleep?


... and the anchor?

[Pelagic]

Originally Posted by GordMay

I've never worked with either but the "Marino Extern" seems a more elegant product (to me) than the Sideshift external truster.

➥ MARINNO * Bugstrahlruder * Heckstrahlruder * EXTURN Das externe Bug- und Heckstrahlruder

I looked at that link Gord, but I prefer the better protected tunnel thruster.

I would worry about some nasty hull damages if that nacelle ever came up against a rock or container at speed. Instead of the boat just riding up on the bow and keel, there would be an abrupt stop and a tearing sound.

SG came with a 24v tunnel thruster which, with my full keel, makes maneuvering very easy in tight spaces.

They did a nice installation where motor and drive chain is easily accessed from the forward water proof shower seat (see handles)

One thing I am considering at next dry dock is to remove the welded grills that cover the tunnel openings.

The normal school of thought is that the grilles offer protection to the bow prop preventing any large piece of wood from hitting it

The second school believes that those grilles actually contribute to more prop damage by preventing pieces from easily exiting or a wedged piece being really stuck in there. Also the grilles make it hard to clean and maintain the tunnel properly.

I may just cut them off, leaving sufficient tabs to bolt on bars later on, if I am proven wrong.

Curious about other member’s opinion on this?

[MarkJ]

Lovely head on that boat. A bar of soap and a watermaker and you wouldnt see me for days

[James S]

Is that a chart table in you head...damn...that head is bigger than the bathrooms in my house....and a lot nicer as well...it beautiful!

I don’t know about removing the grills or not but if they are welded on now, how do you access the blades and zincs.

[bobfnbw]

Originally Posted by MarkJ

Lovely head on that boat. A bar of soap and a watermaker and you wouldnt see me for days

LOL... not exactly what I was thinking ... but close.

Indeed a nice looking boat.

[Pelagic]

Originally Posted by MarkJ

Lovely head on that boat. A bar of soap and a watermaker and you wouldnt see me for days

You like those "love handles" Mark. It is amazing how often our guest couples volunteer to take communal showers to save water...lol

Luckily it is at the other end of the boat...

[Pelagic]

Originally Posted by James S

I don’t know about removing the grills or not but if they are welded on now, how do you access the blades and zincs.

I agree…. not easy. There is a large soft patch bolted on the top of the tunnel so as to remove the complete assembly via the shower bench, but that is a lot of work and brings the dry dock mess into the interior.


With the grills gone it can all be done from below.


The zincs are on the outside of the tunnel....

[bottleinamessage]

Mark: Anchor, chain, windlass etc is in the next locker forward. Wife? Oh her...LOL!
re: thruster tube grills. I've considered adding a basic mininal grill. Shortly after the install, we sucked a dockline in and it cleaned the blades off the thruster. Much more careful now.

[James S]

Originally Posted by Pelagic

I agree…. not easy. There is a large soft patch bolted on the top of the tunnel so as to remove the complete assembly via the shower bench, but that is a lot of work and brings the dry dock mess into the interior.


With the grills gone it can all be done from below.


The zincs are on the outside of the tunnel....

You dont have zincs on the thruster?
I'm thinkin it would be a fine mesh to keep a line out...what are you planning to use for the grill?

[bottleinamessage]

No zincs. Don't see anyplace to put them and nary a mention in the Vetus manual.
As for a grill, I saw a newer Jeanneau on the hard that had three stainless rods, maybe 1/8 or 3/16" diameter, each end with an eye formed. They were screwed to the hull, running fore to aft. Each independant of the other.

Might keep the fish out too. I've noticed several times that small fish were swimmiing in and out of the tube.

[James S]

My zincs are at the prop nuts...I thought they all had them?
Dont you sleep?

[bottleinamessage]

The prop "nut" on ours is a 2 piece interlocking plastic device held on with two stainess screws. Pretty neat arrangement. Just one six or seven bladed prop.

Sleep? Yes we do. The picture is the storage space under the v-berth, aka, guest cabin. We prefer to sleep in an aft cabin.

[James S]

The sleep remark was about the time of day you were on line...I guess I got my + - GMT wrong ...sorry!