Bow Thruster - A DIY Job ?

[Corky]

Has anyone fitted a bow-thruster (Vetus type) and would you say it is within the skills of the average DIY bodger? I've done some small fibreglass repairs before and the electrics won't be a problem. It's just the thought of cutting a sizeable hole in the hull.

 

[gjgm]

saw some pros doing one on a boat last summer.. looked like you really need to know what you are doing....

 

[neale]

I have, well kind of, I got a good friend to help. We are going to write in up in MBM in the next few months.

It certainly is DIYable but only to a competant DIYer. You will be making very big holes below the waterline so you need to be happy working with fibreglass otherwise you'll spend every day on board worrying about your work.

To make the job easier I would def recommend using a proper hole cutting tool. I fitted a Volvo Penta QL system and VP lend the cutting tool out for DIYers (at a cost).

The electric side of things again needs a bit of specialist knowledge, but again not too difficult to anyone who understands basic 12V electrics.

Neale

 

[neale]

Just noticed your boat, The one I fitted was to a 2455 /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[goochie]

PBO did an article a few months ago by someone who installed one on his own smallish boat. It had some good photos with it, and seemed to me that it was possible to a careful and competent DIY'er. I should think it would be possible to find out which issue it was in and then get a copy from someone.

 

[Corky]

Many thanks, I'm growing more confident by the minute. The boat's a 2655 and I'm fairly competent on glassing and 3 of the crew are competent sparkies. you say VP lent you the cutter?
Phil

 

[Corky]

Cheers, I'll try to track it down.

 

[neale]

Yes, as far as I'm aware, if you buy a QL thruster for DIY install, you can request the hire of a cutting tool. Don't know the cost and you may be able to hire one from a normal tool hire company. It is basically a router type tool with cutting blade fixed to a shaft.

There's a pic of the tool on this page http://www.great-water.com/pages/QL/Thuster/ql-06-Info.shtml There is even some pics to give you an idea.

 

[neale]

Here's an installation manual for the QL thruster if it's any help. The installation is pretty much the same whatever make you go for.

http://www.great-water.com/pdf/QL_Manuals/Hy_thruster_man.pdf

 

[Corky]

You're a wonderful man. Thank you. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[ianduff]

I fitted a Sidepower 35 to my Sealine 305. It was not difficult but it was very time consuming. I made up a tool for cutting the hole by attaching a cheap B & Q (about £20) rotary cutter to a steel rod. I then drilled small holes in the hull for the rod and rotated the cutter around the rod.
The important thing is to mark the holes, then check and recheck before cutting!
The fibreglassing was not too bad. I bought 5kg of resin and just carried on glassing until I had used the lot. The problem I had was doing it in Winter, I could only do the glassing when the weather was mild.
Best of luck.

 

[codprawn]

Has anyone seen the new system been brought out by the bloke who started vetus? It uses a waterpump attached to the engine and waterjets. The main advantage being a much smaller hole than for a thruster. You can have 4 outlets and move the boat anywhere.

 

[neale]

I miss read that first time. I thought it said you had problems doing it in the water /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

Mine took two whole days. Boat lifted Friday afternoon and back in monday morning. This was just for the mechanical and fibreglass side of things. The electrics can be done at leisure once the boat is back in. Isis is right though, you do need grp drying weather.

 

[davedpc]

Just fit the biggest practical. If its got windage like a flybridge go up a size.

 

[stefan_r]

I would suggest regardless try and do the electric yourself, you will take much more time over looming them, thinking about the best way to route them to the helm(s) and won't just resort to "cut a hole and poke the wires through" that some yards may prefer...

 

[Corky]

I don't suppose you know it's name? Sounds very interesting. 4 jets and smaller holes cut sounds like a winner all round. Knowing my luck it'll cost as much as the boat !

 

[codprawn]

http://www.willdo.nl/

They have a price list on their site.

I read a review and they said they were great - the pipes are much smaller diameter than a thruster tunnel.

The bloke behind it set up Vetus so should know his stuff. It may have been on YBW - do a search!!!

 

[toad]

Well within the capabilities of a competent amateur, fitting the tube took two days deciding where to cut the hole took two months

 

[Corky]

This looks brilliant but it's outside my price range at £2555 I'm afraid - unless my Premium Bonds come up this month! Thanks for the info. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif