Bow Thruster

[Signjojo]

Hello all, we are new to this forum and doing some browsing. Wondering if anyone out there can offer advice on where to find a good Bow Thruster that won't break the bank

[kbudd]

I always thought these looked interesting. Does anyone on the forum have any experience with them?

Yacht Thruster - Bow and Stern Thrusters

[HappyMdRSailor]

Hmm....

Internal tube?

External?

Size/kw/hp???

For one of the two boats listed??? Seems unnecessary???

Cheap Lewmar internal on Amazon...

Amazon.com : Lewmar 140TT2.2KW 3HP 12V Bow Thruster Composite Hub : Marine Electronics : Electronics

[robert sailor]

Sidepower makes some good units

[Signjojo]

Originally Posted by HappyMdRSailor

Hmm....

Internal tube?

External?

Size/kw/hp???

For one of the two boats listed??? Seems unnecessary???

Cheap Lewmar internal on Amazon...

Amazon.com : Lewmar 140TT2.2KW 3HP 12V Bow Thruster Composite Hub : Marine Electronics : Electronics

Our Contessa has a single leg and with canvas she is 13' up, on the Bay of Quinte we have good wind (awesome for sailing) anything over 15kts at our marina it is like parking a parachute. For ease of installation I would love an external but sidewinder has no deals

[HappyMdRSailor]

Originally Posted by Signjojo

Our Contessa has a single leg and with canvas she is 13' up, on the Bay of Quinte we have good wind (awesome for sailing) anything over 15kts at our marina it is like parking a parachute. For ease of installation I would love an external but sidewinder has no deals

Roger that... can see the light boat parasail scenario....

You gotta figure the cheapest tube install is what... 30hr @ 100/hr???

minaret would know for sure, but I'll bet I'm close...

You still interested???

[Prairie Chicken]

We put the external yacht thruster on our Beneteau First 375. It made life with med mooring much, much easier. We liked it very much for the one season we used it. We went with the external design as the hull was too shallow to install a tunnel.

The only complaint was when tied to a mooring ball in very calm wx. The bridle line slipped behind the unit and then 'cleated in'. I had to dive on it to release it. Next night, shorter bridle, same thing. This time we learned to walk the line aft. We would still recommend it, just be aware of that issue.

[kbudd]

[QUOTE=Prairie Chicken;1492996]We put the external yacht thruster on our Beneteau First 375. It made life with med mooring much, much easier. We liked it very much for the one season we used it. We went with the external design as the hull was too shallow to install a tunnel.


How much do you notice the extra drag when sailing? I am considering installing one on my ketch.

[Prairie Chicken]

There was absolutely no noticeable difference in drag or boat speed. I forget now what the tank tests by the manufacturer said it cost, but it was a fraction of a knot.

There was an earlier thread on this subject too. Search for "Exturn Yacht Thrusters". There may be more info there.

[Signjojo]

Originally Posted by HappyMdRSailor

Roger that... can see the light boat parasail scenario....

You gotta figure the cheapest tube install is what... 30hr @ 100/hr???

minaret would know for sure, but I'll bet I'm close...

You still interested???

I don't think I would farm it out even though my winter marina is still at $60/hr. I am very experienced in fiberglass and boat repair and have all the tools needed just hate working on my own boats, lol, just wish the Sidewinder was not so expensive, for 4K I would rather buy some more Seadoo's

[Nicholson58]

I agree with Signjojo. I do all my own work. Too many bad &/or expensive experiences and often work not done as well as I would do. A good, experienced guy can do this in about 10 working hours with the right tools. There is a "HOW TO" I read on lining up the cut at the right diameter and straight through in line (tunnel type). Hunt a bit on how to install. Its pretty easy. The external is appealing if your entry is flat or if your lockers forward are critical.

BTW, we are 58 feet; 36 tons and we do not have one. - not been a problem so far with planning and accounting for the wind drift and prop walk.

[Neeltje]

Haven't looked in a while, but the Vetus Marine and/or Florida Bow Thruster sites might still have some pretty good installation videos showing the tunnel boring method they use.

I had a pair of Sidepower thrusters installed fore & aft on the Neeltje (I figured that if my car could parallel park itself, the boat should be able to also ).
Granted, they each cost an arm and a leg, but if they can help prevent my 40-ton Frisbee from bowling over a pier or plowing into a megayatch, I figure they'll have earned their keep.

[VirtualVagabond]

We're a bit like Nicholson 58 above.
We're 30 tons, 65' tip to tip with a bit of windage and a full keel, but we've learned to back and fill/prop walk, and we get by.
But a few other folk with CT54s have thrusters and love them.
I'd like one but can't really justify the cost.

Vic