Ballpark figure for a bow thruster

[BobHorn]

Thinking of installing a bow thruster on a 42' sailboat. Trying to grt some idea of the cost.
Thanks,
Bob

[sailormed]

Tunnel mounted, retractable, outside mounted? Lots of options, lots of decisions.

[BobHorn]

I've seen the tunnel mount and saw a diagram of a retractable. Not sure about the outside mount. Can you give me a brand? Is there a "Bow Thrusters for Dummies" book?

[Orion Jim]

If you do a web search for “bow thruster installation” you’ll have your choice of companies in the business who can provide guidance. As always, shop around. A 42 foot boat in my marina had a tunnel style installed last year for 12k. Don’t know the particulars.

[BobHorn]

Was the 12K just for the tunnel or did it include the thruster?

[markpj23]

These guys cover TX and are reportedly one of the best. https://www.floridabowthrusters.com/

[BobHorn]

Thanks to the replies. Unfortunately there was not a bow thruster under the tree and I suspect I will not find one under the boat ether. Sounds lie external may be the way to go.

[skipmac]

The thruster package: thruster, tunnel, wiring, control will set you back $3-$5000 depending on brand and model.

Installation could be that much easily as you have to make a couple of giant holes in the boat, run the controls, power, etc. An experienced DIY could do it but not an easy task.

[wingssail]

Originally Posted by BobHorn

Thinking of installing a bow thruster on a 42' sailboat. Trying to grt some idea of the cost.
Thanks,
Bob

There are several costs involved:

• The cost of the thruster itself, say $3-4k
• Cost of the wiring and other installation parts (estimate equal to cost of the unit itself)
• Cost of installing the tunnel, $1000-10,000
• Loss of storage space in forward part of the vessel
• Loss of hull integrity due to new joints and glass work
• Loss of speed due to huge hole in the hull on two sides of the bow
• Ongoing loss of personal time due to added maintenance
• Loss of respect from boaters who are wondering, "Why does that bozo need a thruster?"

[BobHorn]

Got spoiled with a twin engine trawler, loved the maneuverability, hated the noise and fuel consumption. Neither one of us is as agile as we used to be, thought the bow thruster would make things a little easier. Not so much concerned about what other people think. Lived aboard and cruised an Irwin 41 for six years, no issues handling the boat, but that was twenty years go, I was merely 60 at that time.

[skipmac]

[*]Loss of hull integrity due to new joints and glass work

I would say that this completely depends on the quality of the work. Could easily be built back stronger than it was without a thruster

[*]Loss of speed due to huge hole in the hull on two sides of the bow

I have read conflicting opinions about this from effect is negligible to you will lose a knot or more, especially in light air. Would be very interested if you have a link to any tests or hard data on this.

[*]Ongoing loss of personal time due to added maintenance

Again I think will depend on the quality both of the install and the thruster you select. I know people that have had thrusters for years with no more additional maintenance than cleaning and a little antifouling when they haul.

[*]Loss of respect from boaters who are wondering, "Why does that bozo need a thruster?"

As opposed to the loss of respect one gets after ramming the pier in a tricky docking situation?

Never owned one in boats up to 65' but current 42 footer could use one. The prop is well forward of the rudder so I get almost no help from prop wash against the rudder to kick the stern around. Also very little prop walk so no help there. To have any control I need over a knot going ahead to get some water flow over the rudder and even then the rate of turn is very slow until I get up to over two knots.

Twice in the last ten years I was in situations where this was a problem and came very close to collision and damage to me or another boat.

One was pinned against a dock with a 10-12 kt breeze. Even with spring lines it was a very close call getting off. In that situation I would have welcomed the assist from a bow thruster and no care about the respect of other boaters.

[rwidman]

The best way to get even a "ball park figure" is to call boatyards that do this work and ask them. It's not hard to do.

[donradcliffe]

A bow thruster will not solve all your problems. I got hit and run in the St Augustine marina by a yoyo who pushed his bow thruster the wrong way. Fortunately I had a spare stanchion.

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by donradcliffe

A bow thruster will not solve all your problems. I got hit and run in the St Augustine marina by a yoyo who pushed his bow thruster the wrong way. Fortunately I had a spare stanchion.

I hear a lot of boat hit and run stories. Happened to a friend who was docked right behind me last year. Seems like the perpetrators usually get away with it which I find almost unbelievable.

Do a hit and run in a car, even if there are no injuries, the police will be all over it and you could end up in jail. Do it in a boat and seems like no one cares, no one has jurisdiction nor responsibility.

Did they ever catch the guy in your incident? Any law enforcement agency seem to show interest in the case?

[James S]

Not all hulls can receive a properly placed bow thruster..
I forget exactly.. but to avoid cavitation I believe mine required a minimum of 1.5 times its diameter below the water line.. that got difficult because of the narrowing of my hull at that depth verses the width of the thruster.. mine was a double..
Of course you can move further aft.. but this then decreases the effectiveness..