Stern Thruster for Kadey Krogen 36 Manatee

[Makabuzi]

Does anyone know a good stern thruster that I can install on my 36' Kadey Krogen Manatee?

Also does anyone know of a "Get Home" solution that can be installed and used in case of an engine failure?

[alfamike]

WestMar 24 volt 13 HP electric stern thruster can be done but it's a big job with the tunnel routing through the lazarette.
Very expensive to do.

M.

[alfamike]

Remember when moving the stern side to side, you need more power than the bow as your moving a barn door through the water sideways.

[RT Firefly]

Greetings,
Welcome aboard Mr. M from Macao and Mr. am from Camarillo.

[HiDHo]

You can use the engine and rudder to move the stern, what's needed by some is a bow thruster. I don't have either bow or stern thruster and try to pre-plan dockage based on wind and current along with a long bow line.
Get home option is the dinghy and outboard engine, our Manatee's Volvo TMD31A has proved very reliable in the last 1200 engine hours of operation. I trust in Volvo but have 200' of 5/16" HT chain and a Rocna Vulcan !

[healhustler]

Both the thruster and get home option are pretty big subjects with the Manatee, but both are manageable. Bob Anderson aboard Mango Mama recently installed a stern thruster here in Sarasota. I'll talk to the Yard and see how difficult it was and what model he used, but I know it is a conventional style with an interior motor. My Admiral and I are heatedly debating the value of putting one on Bucky before we leave for the Loop in late March. She wants learn how to handle the boat and with a lot of marina stays on the schedule, a stern thruster might be a welcome asset on windy days and narrow fairways.

There's several alternatives to consider about the get-home kit. First and foremost is Towing insurance. Second is a probably a high-thrust dinghy outboard on a transom bracket or swim platform. We've installed a swim platform and are building the ladder and bracket for that purpose, but we've also moved the genset from under the galley to a new hatch under the veranda so that the shaft of the genset motor is directly over the prop shaft. Having the two shafts alligned gives us a future option, but the engineering required to maintain balanced forces on the main prop shaft and seals is anything but simple.