bow thruster required in Spain cost/make etc.

[pcatterall]

I think we will have to go for this. Some of our owners are suggesting that we need one. 33' Neptunian long keel usual stern to mooring. Don't really want to get into the 'learn to drive' debate.
She has a mind of her own going astern, we have spent hours testing all the usual methods and nothing works. My only solution is to get her somewhere near and adjust the stern by nudging forward and bringing the bow round so the stern points where she should then reversing more. This works after a fashion but with a cross breeze it gets more complicated. Anyway..... the consensus is that we should investigate cost of installing one and that is what I am tasked to do and what I really will appreciate advice about!
I believe that we need something around 2kw? and that the basic cost is circa £1000. No doubt batteries, cable, controls etc will add a lot to this.
I would appreciate any guidance about the overall hardware costs and suggestions about best make and model. Some idea about fitting costs will be appreciated I am assuming that we can get it done in Spain for something similar to UK costs. Would we specify the make and model or even supply the one we want? Any advantage in buying in UK or in Spain.

 

[pvb]

I'd suggest you look at the Side-Power SE50, which is 2.4kW with a 140mm tunnel. The next model down, the SE40, is 2.2kW with a 125mm tunnel, and your boat would be at the top end of its recommended sizes. Added to which, the SE50 is only about £100 more.

I think you'll be looking at a bill around £3K by the time everything's done.

In the UK, JPC Direct have reasonable prices, see SE50 Tunnel Bow Thruster Kit - JPC Direct

 

[Catalina36]

You might find a detachable stern thruster more use in that situation. I got my own built, cost about £1.5k with motor, machining, welding, battery, cabling, speed controller etc.

 

[Norman_E]

I have been very pleased with my Vetus bow thruster which is an old 50Kgf model. Current Vetus models appear to be a bit cheaper than Side Power, but its a bit hard to make diect comparisons when some makes quote input power and Vetus quotes thrust.

 

[pvb]

I have been very pleased with my Vetus bow thruster which is an old 50Kgf model. Current Vetus models appear to be a bit cheaper than Side Power, but its a bit hard to make diect comparisons when some makes quote input power and Vetus quotes thrust.

Side-Power quote thrust; the number in their model designation denotes the kg thrust.

 

[Norman_E]

Side-Power quote thrust; the number in their model designation denotes the kg thrust.

Thanks, I had not spotted that. The Vetus ones do seem a bit cheaper for equivalent thrust. I no nothing of Lewmar thrusters and think that they must be a fairly recent development, but they appear competetively priced, however it is Vetus and Side Power that seem to be the most common ones in use.