Bow Thrusters on Moody 35

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Richard_H

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Hi Everyone
Thinking bout fitting Bow Thruster on a Moody 35 - has anybody fitted one on this boat and if so any advice would be welcome such as power supply and recommendations re suppliers etc for a DIY job. Do they affect boat performance and is it likely to weaken hull superstructure for a retrofit job???
Thanks in antic.
Richard H
 
Hi Richard

Recently fitted a bow thruster to a Southerly 105 (not much difference in size) and can´t fault it. It´s like having an extra pair of hands and makes marina mooring a comparative cinch.

Would recommed you have it fitted professionaly unless you are very good with fibre glass work. There have been a few articles over the last 18 months in the yachting mags which are worth looking at. Performance wise - I can´t tell any difference but I´m no expert. If there is it´s probably nominal and is more thsn compensated by being able to turn the bow through a F5 to get into your berth.

Good luck, whatever you decide.

Chas Roberts
S105 Noosa
 
One decision you will have to make is to decide whether you site a battery forward so you dont have to run very expensive very big cables from your main battery bank, but do have to decide how to charge that battery.

Recommend that you look at this
 
tome,
you are being naughty. I have a boat with a lot of freeboard, and twin rudders with no propwash to assist, and a lift keel so 'power' steering is not an option.
It obviously assists in preventing making a Horlicks of the berthing, and we aren't all Maestros at the helm.
Echo Sounder, what do you want one of them for? Lead line perfectly sufficient.
Radar, never went to sea with one of those.
Wind Instruments? For fairies they are, whats wrong with the hairs on the back of your neck?

I would have one of those flash ones with the closing doors, but I can't afford it, so I'll just do the occasional few quids worth of damage on my Kamikaze entry technique. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Jim
 
Hmm, I would advise not to be in such a hurry to fit an expensive bit of kit that takes away other skills on a vessel as small as 35 foot.

I do not have or any intention of fitting a bowthruster to my 45' with twin rudders, no propwash and lifting keel. Also I sail a bit with just Husband and Wife or Solo if taking her to dry out in the harbour or refuel in Marinas etc.
Berthing is no problem, you use the windage on the bow, any water flow, midship cleats for springing, stern to mooring etc as conditions dictate.
Most importaint safety function is not to hurry and never be afraid to abort and try again. In my book he who has several goes at mooring but gets it right in the end with a controlled element assisted approach is better than the macho approach at speed skipper.


Brian
 
[ QUOTE ]
Berthing is no problem, you use the windage on the bow, any water flow, midship cleats for springing, stern to mooring etc as conditions dictate.
Most importaint safety function is not to hurry and never be afraid to abort and try again. In my book he who has several goes at mooring but gets it right in the end with a controlled element assisted approach is better than the macho approach at speed skipper

[/ QUOTE ]

Agree Brian,

But still support a skippers right to use bowthrusters if he/she thinks they will help....
 
I DIY fitted a Sleipner to a Moody 36 three years ago and it is the best thing I ever did, I go sailing for pleasure not to prove how clever I am at parking my boat. As others have said why have any other mod cons, this is no different. Rather than weakening the hull it is probably stronger with the epoxy tube well bonded to the ground back hull with epoxy. It doesn't seem to affect performance but I did build up a big fairing as recommended in the blurb it came with. I picked the Sleipner rather than the others because it had an oil reservoir well above waterline so the gearbox is slightly pressurised and a leaking seal will be apparent by loss of oil rather than grating of gears! I fitted another battery forward which gave the added bonus of higher voltage at the existing electric winch which had been connected with rather small cables. I used the old winch cables as charging leads with breakers at each end. If I was doing it again I would fit the thruster further back and lower down (it is always a compromise) to give better flow. One thing I found - it is scary taking a jigsaw to your hull below waterline. I think three of us checked and re-checked measurements about a hundred times, don't rush it. If you want PM me with a phone number for a chat. Best of luck and ignore the pooh poohers, if it makes your sailing more relaxing and that is what you enjoy fit one.
 
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