Bow Thruster installation

[Laundryman]

I have received a quote to supply and fit a vetus 55kg bow thruster to my Bavaria 39. Before I proceed, has anyone had similar fitted by JC Marine Services in Essex and were you pleased with the installation. The engineer will travel to the Solent to fit. The price is roughly half of the other quotes and is expected to be completed in a day. I’m not entirely comfortable that it’s possible in a day, or is it? If it’s that easy I might do it myself!
Any thoughts please? Thanks. Alan

 

[pvb]

As far as I can see, JC Marine Services want £3250 to supply and fit a 55kg Vetus thruster, not sure whether or not that includes VAT. The thruster is about £1500 inc VAT.

If you've been quoted £6K+ by others, that sounds a lot. However, there's a fair amount of work involved, and I'd be surprised if one guy could do it in one day.

 

[LoneHort]

does that include "flaring" the tube to push the water off? Mine did not have that and while coppercoating last year I did it myself and it made a big difference to the underwater drag. Before 6kn @ 1400rpm now 1200rpm.

 

[Tranona]

£3250 is cheap - and the job can't be done in a day including fitting the tube. £4500-5000 is the going rate for a Sidepower fitted. check carefully what is included, particularly electrics. A separate battery and B2B charger will add considerably to cost. 55kg is marginal on a 39. Sidepower SE60 would be normal.

Have you got a quote from Osmotech?

 

[PaulRainbow]

£3250 is cheap - and the job can't be done in a day including fitting the tube. £4500-5000 is the going rate for a Sidepower fitted. check carefully what is included, particularly electrics. A separate battery and B2B charger will add considerably to cost. %%kg is marginal on a 39. Sidepower SE60 would be normal.

Have you got a quote from Osmotech?

"Installation includes thruster, tunnel/pod, looms, control, battery, battery box, fuse and fuse holder, battery recharge kit "

 

[PaulRainbow]

I have not heard of the company, so cannot comment on their installations.

I do not believe one man can carry out the entire installation in one day.

From Manningtree to Haslar is about a 4 hour drive, so there's a day gone for a start.

The price quoted is very cheap, which is not so say it'll be a bad job. Most other places in the area quote £1400-£1500 just to fit the tunnel.

Vetus - BOW THRUSTER INSTALLATION in Essex, Eastern | Boats and Outboards
JC Marine Services

 

[LittleSister]

- and the job can't be done in a day

Have you got a quote from Osmotech?

It certainly can be done in a day, but I doubt it could be done that quickly with just one person. A chap on the LM Owner's forum had a Sidepower fitted in his LM27 - in at 8am and finished by 4.30pm.

And I do believe it was Osmotech that did it!

On the other hand, actually fitting it may be the easy bit: I'm still waiting for the quote from Shotley to fit one about three years after I asked for it! (I've had in done elsewhere while I was waiting.)