Bow thruster opinions

Machaseo said:
Hey Ken,
Just a side note, while you are fitting the thruster, wire up a remote control, I used a set up from RS, RF solutions kit, but any garage door opener types will work fine too. The marine types are just too expensive! Makes it a lot easier when single handing.
Regards Barry
Click to expand...

Check Ebay for Winch remote control around £10
 
Fancy that a Bow Thruster thread. Since i got my new project, an inland cruiser of 32 foot, a few have said to me to fit one. I have never been a fan really as i think its best to just learn to control the boat as is, on the outdrive on this boat.

But folk go on about then so much.

Is it worth it for the cruising i do on inland waters, canals and rivers ? it can get tight in places when mooring and turning but then i find it fun doing the manouvers.

If so what size ? I am no rich man either and even £1500 is a bit much.


Admiral Faffer :)
 
waynes world said:
Fancy that a Bow Thruster thread. Since i got my new project, an inland cruiser of 32 foot, a few have said to me to fit one. I have never been a fan really as i think its best to just learn to control the boat as is, on the outdrive on this boat.

But folk go on about then so much.

Is it worth it for the cruising i do on inland waters, canals and rivers ? it can get tight in places when mooring and turning but then i find it fun doing the manouvers.

If so what size ? I am no rich man either and even £1500 is a bit much.


Admiral Faffer :)
Click to expand...
Ive done a faire bit on the much bigger French canals and locks. And a bow thruster is very helpful. The difference between inland and off shore motorboating is that when the wind blows strongly sea boats stay in port. But it doesn’t stop a canal trip, however that’s when you’d be very happy that you have a thruster fitted;)
 
Elessar said:
hey Ken.

The smaller the tunnel, the easier they get barnacled up and the noisier they are. So good choice so far.

I have sidepower. I fitted it myself, and the advice you will get from Mike at Osmotech (the sell them as well as fitting them) will resolve any issues you might have. He knows everything there is to know and is super helpful.

The downside with the sidepower it that it has twin props. They say it makes the thrust equal in either direction, but the problem is the area between the props gets barnacled and you can't easily take the prop off in the water. I've done it but its a pain. The barnacles absolutely kill its effectiveness. Thus I'd avoid a twin prop thruster if i was choosing again, but the sidepower is great quality kit.
Click to expand...

Both my flybridbe and lower helm Sidepower plastic switches broke after a few years use as the plastic aged and became brittle. Rather expensive replacement.
 
Kinda weird reading about issues from a premium manufacturer in a thread asking about a budget manufacturer
Interesting and reassuring that no one has come on to say Quicke are the worst thing ever thanks for all the info I think I know my winter project now
 
Just to add my two penneth. I had a bit of a problem with the grp tunnel in my 32' motorboat recently. It had weakened over years of use where the thruster bolted through, to the extent that I levered the thruster right out by hand with grp still attached to the bolts! To cut a long storey short I glassed in a new tunnel and also replaced the very elderly Vetus thruster. I went for a Max Power unit simply because it had an all plastic gearbox so no future issues with anodes or corrosion to worry about. I bought the single prop CT60 which cost c£1200. The new thruster is braced in position to avoid any flexing damage.
 
Beamishken said:
Kinda weird reading about issues from a premium manufacturer in a thread asking about a budget manufacturer
Interesting and reassuring that no one has come on to say Quicke are the worst thing ever thanks for all the info I think I know my winter project now
Click to expand...

Keep us updated with your progress. Hope it all goes well, I presume you’ll be doing the installation?
 
We have had a quick from new and it's fine just slow to lower but I guess you have a tunnel so lowering isn't an issue. If you fit one just remember anode replacement which I guess you will . As as others have side go for size upgrade if budget permits. Some photos of work might be of interest to others of course
 
Keith-i said:
Just to add my two penneth. I had a bit of a problem with the grp tunnel in my 32' motorboat recently. It had weakened over years of use where the thruster bolted through, to the extent that I levered the thruster right out by hand with grp still attached to the bolts! To cut a long storey short I glassed in a new tunnel and also replaced the very elderly Vetus thruster. I went for a Max Power unit simply because it had an all plastic gearbox so no future issues with anodes or corrosion to worry about. I bought the single prop CT60 which cost c£1200. The new thruster is braced in position to avoid any flexing damage.
Click to expand...

You should have good service from this brand, I know of a local commercial boat that had bow and stern Max Power's fitted in 2004, working over 50 weeks per annum, 7 days a week, up to 8 departures per day and complicated manoeuvres requiring thruster adjustment each cruise.
Still on original motors, but bow has had minor internal motor refurb.
On that basis, on a recreational boat, your new installation should last a few lifetimes :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Other threads that may be of interest

Baggywrinkle
Test run of the Lithium system that has been sitting in my cellar for most of this year.
Replies
6
Views
337
geem
geem

Share this page

Top