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Old 08-20-2018, 09:05 AM   #1
ranger58sb
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City: Annapolis
Vessel Name: Ranger
Vessel Model: 58' Sedan Bridge
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 7,088
Considering a bow thruster; best choices?

Somebody in our family recently suggested a bow thruster might make that somebody's job slightly easier while docking... so just in case a bow thruster project bubbles up to the top of my wallet anytime soon...

So without debating whether they're useful or not... without considering hydraulic thrusters or genset PTO options... and without considering external thrusters...

And assuming I'd probably prefer a 24V tunnel system with dedicated AGM batteries located very near the bow thruster, probably with a dedicated 24V own charger... in our 42' 28K-lbs boat...

I thought it might be useful to start with a "market survey" of sorts.

I've only superficially looked at options like the Imtra/Side-Power SE80 and the Vetus/Maxwell BOW7524D, without lots of time comparing thrusters to boat sizes/weights yet. I assume there might be decent options from Lewmar, Max Power, maybe others...

Who's got a thruster? Which one (brand/model)? In what boat?

Comments about horsepower vs. boat size? About single prop vs. dual prop? Good or bad about various brands or designs?

-Chris
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