Has anyone had a Bow Thruster installed?
I have been looking at the POD type that hangs just below the bow in a pod.
The link to this unit is at www.yachtthruster.com
I am open to ideas.
Ed Collis
ORION VII
Canada
Loon Shadow a 33 Wiggers has a bow thruster in a tube installed. Loon Shadow nests in Genoa Bay on Vancouver Island. She is owned by Nancy and Don McEachern.
Mark Powers & Nesta Davies
La Reina 26C
Burrard Civic Marina
Vancouver, B.C.
I have a bow thruster installed on my 30U. It's a SidePower thruster that sits in a tube in the bow. The unit works very well and has allowed me to dock in some very tight spaces. If you want more info please get in touch.
Jamie Morrison
Dexterity II
30U 225
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Hi Jamie;
I am jealous.
However, I found a company that sells a thruster in a pod that hangs below
the hull, but looks pretty streamlined.
It also looks much easier to install.
Here is the link. www.yachtthruster.com
Cheers,
Ed Collis
ORION VII
Toronto
Ed -
This is a purely unsolicited reply as my little N22 doesn’t have (or need) a bow thruster. But I have used one on a VERY heavy Dutch houseboat in Friesland in a nasty wind. Thank heaven for it !!
I have a gut feeling that the unit you are looking at is terrific. I think that it’s built in Germany and it’s design is “out of the box”, probably smooth as silk and real forward-thinking. And I’ll bet the sucker costs the EARTH but, oh, what fun to use !!
Good luck with this. (Hmm… I wonder how much it might cost if bought in Germany - might cost less including the trip over AND the damn HST).
Ernie Abugov
Toronto
Thanks everyone for your sage advice.
The external pod model was over $5,000 just for PARTS.
I am having a tunnel installed, and expect that the price, including all labour, will not exceed $3,000.
A very happy summer of good sailing to everyone.
Cheers,
Ed Collis
ORION VII
Toronto
Ed,
Sounds like you have a great price for the tunnel install. My thruster installation came to $10,000 all inclusive in 1998. If you would like some photos please get in touch.
Jamie Morrison
Dexterity II
30U 225
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Hi Jamie;
Yes, i would be delighted to get some photos from you.
It might help my installer.
Cheers,
Eddy
ed@taxwizz.com
Hi Ed,
Attached are a few photos of my bow thruster installation from inside the boat. I don’t have the spar in so I could grab a few photos. It’s a bit rusty after 15 years so I spray it with a rust preventative every year. I guess I should have taken the photos after I cleaned the anchor locker. I will dig up a few photos of the thruster tunnel from the exterior.
Jamie Morrison
Dexterity II
30U 225
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Thanks Jaimie.
That looks EXACTLY like my finished installation.
TOTAL cost, professionally installed, with everything except battery in bow, was $4,200.00 CDN.
Ed Collis
ORION VII
Toronto
I am considering installing a bow thruster on my N30U and would appreciate it if you would share what make and model you installed along with any advice for the installation.
Jim Krzyzewski
N30U 422 Toyger
Olympia WA
I had a Side Power unit professionally installed ($2,400 CDN).
I LOVE it.
Ed Collis
ORION VII NS30U
Toronto
Sorry…$4,200 CDN.
I think that I am becoming dyslexic.
Eddy
Mine is a Side Power. Mine is run off the house batteries so I have large cables running to the bow. I think it may be better to have a battery in the bow so that you could run lighter gauge cable from the charger to the battery.
I also feel I have lost about a knot of speed. Take a look at how tunnels should be faired. It will reduce drag if done right.
Generally I love the thing. Keep in mind that it is really only useful when the boat is at a dead stop. Great for parallel parking on a busy wharf or getting out of tight spots.
Jamie Morrison
Dexterity II
30U 225
Halifax, Nova Scotia
I have a separate battery in the Port bow locker. No long heavy cables needed.
The installer put fairing in front of the tunnel, but I do not know the effect on speed.
Most useful docking in a crosswind, when the forward location of the mast causes the bow to blow off the dock.
Eddy
Ed,
Thanks so much for the input.I like the idea of a dedicated battery in the bow.
Cheers!
Jim
Hi Jim;
You will wonder how you ever got along without it.
Eddy