Going back to sizing the thruster, my sense is that planing or semi displacement hull are easier to move sideways with a stern thruster than full displacement keeled vessels. I always found the bow thruster to be much more effective than the stern thruster on my 50ft FD trawler. So, my point is, depending on your hull and stern shape, you should definitely consider upsizing the stern thruster if you have a FD vessel. Comparing thrusters between different shaped vessels may not help much.
Stern thruster recommendation
- Thread starter Unclematt
- Start date
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Comodave
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We have a semi displacement hull but have a full deep keel. We went 1 size larger than the chart said and it kicks butt when we activate it.
OP
OP
Unclematt
Senior Member
I see there are also "Jet thrusters" and they look awesome. Anyone have any experience with them good or bad?
backinblue
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I have both bow and stern thrusters. I love them. My rudder is small and basically useless in reverse. i recently broke the sheer pin in my stern thruster and yes I can manage using the bow only, but it's not nearly as easy and sometimes takes a couple tries to get lined up properly (there are strong river currents where I dock) but I really miss the stern. Also it's nice to be able to spin the boat quickly using both thrusters in opposite directions when leaving a slip into a very narrow channel, sometimes fighting wind and current. If you want one, go for it and you'll never regret it and shouldn't feel any less competent by using it. Sidepower is the leader in the industry in my opinion. They can help you size properly based on your boat specs.
There are a few aspects of having both bow and stern thrusters that I don’t see mentioned...
Single engine boat. I had a stern thruster installed right after I bought my current boat (it was built with a bow thruster). My primary reason was to enable single-handed docking when there is nobody at the dock to catch a line. Using the remote for the thrusters, I can bring the boat to the dock, step off, and secure the boat while using the remote to keep it pinned to the dock.
The other good reason became apparent after I had run the boat a few times....lock to lock is 6 turns of a really large wheel. Using bow and stern thrusters in tandem gives me really fast turns when in constrained spaces. It just takes a long time to achieve that kind of rudder movement with just the wheel.
Single engine boat. I had a stern thruster installed right after I bought my current boat (it was built with a bow thruster). My primary reason was to enable single-handed docking when there is nobody at the dock to catch a line. Using the remote for the thrusters, I can bring the boat to the dock, step off, and secure the boat while using the remote to keep it pinned to the dock.
The other good reason became apparent after I had run the boat a few times....lock to lock is 6 turns of a really large wheel. Using bow and stern thrusters in tandem gives me really fast turns when in constrained spaces. It just takes a long time to achieve that kind of rudder movement with just the wheel.
TollerTrawler
Member
Unclematt, you are fully within your rights to want a stern thruster. I chartered a Sundowner 32 out of Vancouver years ago; identical to your picture and we absolutely loved the boat. That said on the return trip we stopped for fuel at the station under the Burrard street bridge, and subsequently had one of the worst boating experiences of my life. I underestimated the current into False Creek and when I pushed off hard to port to exit the dock and clear the bridge footing, discovered there was not a lot of steerage in what was probably only a 3kt current. I drifted broadside down into the adjoining marina between the slips and for the life of me I couldn't get the bow pointed. Bang, bang, bang down the fairway back and forth, just trying to get a little grab from the rudder and push up into the current. Ended up launching the transom off the end of a finger and pranging the davits off the dinghy in the process. I've piloted 3 or 4 bigger trawlers since, and never had the same lack of control. You sir, deserve a stern thruster!
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Laurie
Member
We have both bow and stern DockStars on our CHB 34ft trawler and they made life much easier. We have a port tie slip but a SB tie boat, so we back in all the time. With the DockStar thrusters (radio controlled), we simply pull into the fairway, pivot on a dime and reverse in. The DockStars then hold the boat against the slip, we step off and tie up. Sure makes docking easy!
Spinner
Little need to run rudder stap to stop. Just set it for the turn direction in fed as it does little or nothing in reverse. If you have prop walk in reverse use it to your favor. Using back & fill... alternating fwd burst to start turn, reverse to prevent excessive fed movement and help continu turn with available prop walk. Then repeat to bring it around.
Good to practice w/o thrusters periodically to stay fresh and k ow you can do it if / when necessary adds confidence.
Little need to run rudder stap to stop. Just set it for the turn direction in fed as it does little or nothing in reverse. If you have prop walk in reverse use it to your favor. Using back & fill... alternating fwd burst to start turn, reverse to prevent excessive fed movement and help continu turn with available prop walk. Then repeat to bring it around.
Good to practice w/o thrusters periodically to stay fresh and k ow you can do it if / when necessary adds confidence.
mickand
Senior Member
I've had a Vetus Sidepower externally mounted stern thruster for 5 years and over 30,000 miles - possibly 10-15 years use if you were to cruise normally. It quit this summer due to worn out brushes and an issue with the ICU.
The inside of the unit which is always in the water was found completely watertight and on inspection the internals look very robust and well made.
It bolts directly to the transom and has it's own batteries inside the stern lazarette. Installation is very straight forward.
As a solo pilot, I wouldn't be without it.
The inside of the unit which is always in the water was found completely watertight and on inspection the internals look very robust and well made.
It bolts directly to the transom and has it's own batteries inside the stern lazarette. Installation is very straight forward.
As a solo pilot, I wouldn't be without it.
This is most certainly true and I found out for myself when my hydraulic steering
was disabled during a harbor cruise.
The helm stopped answering due to a failed seal on the ram shaft so I started
giving the bow thruster bumps to stay on course.
It worked great for about 15 or 20 minutes as I grew more confident with the
work-around.
All that changed when one of the 4-0 cables desoldered itself from its lug at the
motor.
I got a lot better at throttle-steering my 52 footer on the way back to the dock.
And yes, I did have an emergency tiller but I really was trying to hide the situation
from my guests that day.
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Takeitesea
Veteran Member
Purchased a Side Shifter brand stern thruster. Made in Canada. Attaches to swim platform and has no hull holes below the water line.
Works great and company is excellent to work with
Take It E-Sea
Works great and company is excellent to work with
Take It E-Sea
BDalt
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I have installed Sidepower bow and stern thrusters. Sidepower is the class act in thrusters and Imtra as the North American supplier is solid in their knowledge and support. My stern thruster is the external mounted one, the internal one was ruled out by the configuration of linkages for the dual rudders. Trawlers are somewhat problematic for install of the stern thruster because of the low draft below water at the stern. You can't really achieve the depth recommendation for the install. But, they have a fix, extra cowls to install on the tunnel to redirect the suck and blow of the tunnel. Do it, and get the variable thrust, really extends the run time available and utility around the docks.
richardschmidt2759
Veteran Member
thruster
I just sold my 34 mainship 1 last year after 16 yrs ,(loved that boat) back in 2014 I instaled a lewmar 185 stern thurster, best thing I ever did ! even with the large rudder it was tough to swing the stern, ( I've had single screw boats for forty yrs.)I'm sure their are better drivers out there, as I didn't use my boat all that much, please don't tell me about kicking over the stern with back and fill . I could spin the boat around if I had enough room.but the thurster made it MUCH easier to get into & out of a slip with not a lot of room. I did it my self, mostly because a bow thurster was to tough & $$$ for me to install. I did however have to modify vetus down tubes to get it to work properly. If you buy a vetus you won't need to modify anything. like I said it was well worth the money,about 4 grand all in I loved it. I did not see the need for a bow thurster ! but that's just me.hope this helps .By the way I ran mine off the main batt as well ,never had a prob. I sure many will not agree with this ,but it,s just my opinion.
I just sold my 34 mainship 1 last year after 16 yrs ,(loved that boat) back in 2014 I instaled a lewmar 185 stern thurster, best thing I ever did ! even with the large rudder it was tough to swing the stern, ( I've had single screw boats for forty yrs.)I'm sure their are better drivers out there, as I didn't use my boat all that much, please don't tell me about kicking over the stern with back and fill . I could spin the boat around if I had enough room.but the thurster made it MUCH easier to get into & out of a slip with not a lot of room. I did it my self, mostly because a bow thurster was to tough & $$$ for me to install. I did however have to modify vetus down tubes to get it to work properly. If you buy a vetus you won't need to modify anything. like I said it was well worth the money,about 4 grand all in I loved it. I did not see the need for a bow thurster ! but that's just me.hope this helps .By the way I ran mine off the main batt as well ,never had a prob. I sure many will not agree with this ,but it,s just my opinion.
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Phil Enscoe
Veteran Member
Stern Thruster
I have a 36' Albin Trawler with a single engine and a Dickson stern thruster. I can't believe how helpful the thruster is. Also, in the literature it says that it can be used as an alternative power source should your main engine go out. The thruster can be moved to a straight aft position should you need it.
I have a 36' Albin Trawler with a single engine and a Dickson stern thruster. I can't believe how helpful the thruster is. Also, in the literature it says that it can be used as an alternative power source should your main engine go out. The thruster can be moved to a straight aft position should you need it.
carpedatum
Member
Sideshifts are working for me
+1 on Sideshift. They were helpful to me regarding sizing. My 24000lb cabin cruiser is now fitted with an SS350 up front and an ST350 at the stern. The boat has a windage problem and we back her into the slip, usually with a crosswind. The Sideshift thrusters make quick work of it, and that’s generated some envy here in Moss Landing. Putting a 42 foot boat into the last bit of space at the fuel dock, sideways, did too.
I put a dedicated battery bank, close to the thruster, on each one. A pair of group 24 Northstar AGMs provide about 12 minutes of run time without going below 50%. Since these thrusters are only used in bursts of around 1-10 seconds that works out to a ton of operating time. I have a one Promariner 24v charger amidships supplying both banks, and can charge from shore power only at present, but would add in a DC-DC charger if I ever feel the need.
This setup has worked well for over a year for me, so I feel pretty comfortable recommending Sideshift. It took me a couple of months worth of weekends to get all this onto the boat, but (with some creativity and a lot of swearing) I did not have to haul the boat to get it done. Worth it though - I have a very different boat now.
An alternative that caught my attention at first was the Dockstar thruster, mentioned elsewhere in this thread. I think that design is brilliant. It does a bunch to lower the installation cost and complexity. The inventor/owner insists on a consultation before you can buy, and was super-frank with me. There’s no good way to put a Dockstar thruster on my bow. Bummer! I’d recommend speaking with them, though. Your requirements are quite a bit different. Dockstar may be able to offer you product that is very easy to install and maintain.
+1 on Sideshift. They were helpful to me regarding sizing. My 24000lb cabin cruiser is now fitted with an SS350 up front and an ST350 at the stern. The boat has a windage problem and we back her into the slip, usually with a crosswind. The Sideshift thrusters make quick work of it, and that’s generated some envy here in Moss Landing. Putting a 42 foot boat into the last bit of space at the fuel dock, sideways, did too.
I put a dedicated battery bank, close to the thruster, on each one. A pair of group 24 Northstar AGMs provide about 12 minutes of run time without going below 50%. Since these thrusters are only used in bursts of around 1-10 seconds that works out to a ton of operating time. I have a one Promariner 24v charger amidships supplying both banks, and can charge from shore power only at present, but would add in a DC-DC charger if I ever feel the need.
This setup has worked well for over a year for me, so I feel pretty comfortable recommending Sideshift. It took me a couple of months worth of weekends to get all this onto the boat, but (with some creativity and a lot of swearing) I did not have to haul the boat to get it done. Worth it though - I have a very different boat now.
An alternative that caught my attention at first was the Dockstar thruster, mentioned elsewhere in this thread. I think that design is brilliant. It does a bunch to lower the installation cost and complexity. The inventor/owner insists on a consultation before you can buy, and was super-frank with me. There’s no good way to put a Dockstar thruster on my bow. Bummer! I’d recommend speaking with them, though. Your requirements are quite a bit different. Dockstar may be able to offer you product that is very easy to install and maintain.
Coalman
Veteran Member
we have a Monk36 with a lot of windage. I'm going put on a Vetus 5-6 hp electric stern thruster with it own AGM battery, charger, switch, fusing etc. I have a Vetus 5 hp electric bow thruster currently powered by combined starter/house bank (two 8D's). In the process of upgrading battery bank to combined start/house bank with six Duracell FLA type 2 GC batteries wired series/parallel (690 aHr). Will also install separate AGM, switch, breaker, charger, etc. to power bow thruster so I don't need to power with house/starter bank. Both thruster batteries will be charged by shore power when connected. New battery bank will be charged by OEM alternator, generator, 200 watts solar or shore power. Hope that answers your question?
Stay safe and smooth seas
Stay safe and smooth seas
