skipperdude
Guru
Guess
We're contemplating one of these:
Yacht Thruster - Bow and Stern Thrusters Applications
Seems perfect for a DIY project, and I like the idea of a small hole in the boat vs the traditional tube. The company touts the exposed motor has extended run time due to the cooling action of the surrounding water.
Last time I checked pricing it was in the neighborhood of 5K (including haulout for the unit install). The haulout can be a haul and hang vs blocked.
Opinions?
With the rudder amidships in close quarters, you drive a twin screw like you push a shopping cart.
With the rudder amidships in close quarters, you drive a twin screw like you push a shopping cart.
It seems like that would be pretty inefficient at high power. And pretty expensive. Would two 12 volt batteries in series have been an option?
That's how our stern thruster is setup. When I press the own button in the helm it isolates the two 8D's from the buss then parallels the two 8D's so I can get 24v.
Here's what it looks like.View attachment 33992
Old thread I know but .............
An inverter chamges DC to AC so is not applicable in this situation..
With the rudder amidships in close quarters, you drive a twin screw like you push a shopping cart.
Full of cold beer?
I had a bow and stern thruster installed on my Mainship 390, Docking by Control did the stern. Danny did an awesome job, he really knows his stuff. Now that I have them, I wouldn't want to drive without.
I had a bow and stern thruster installed on my Mainship 390, Docking by Control did the stern. Danny did an awesome job, he really knows his stuff. Now that I have them, I wouldn't want to drive without.
To me it is a safety issue. With just me and my wife (neither one of us is exactly nimble or fleet of foot) I found that I can hold the boat against the dock while she gracefully steps off and secures the breast line... Both just make life a little safer and easier... and yes this old gal has fore and aft thrusters
Precisely why we have both.
....I too agree that thrusters are a "degree" of making docking easier, safer, etc....I get the need, or at least the want, of a bow thruster on smaller boats. But the NEED for a stern thruster some what baffles me.
Since all boats come with stern thrusters, in the form form of props and rudders. Especially boats with twins.
I get the need, or at least the want, of a bow thruster on smaller boats. But the NEED for a stern thruster some what baffles me.
Since all boats come with stern thrusters, in the form form of props and rudders. Especially boats with twins.
...
I came from a 40' sailboat with No bow thruster. There were times when a bow thruster would have been nice, but with a big rudder and prop walk, I never even thought about a stern thruster. ...