Fitting a Bow Thruster in a double-diagonal mahogany on oak hull

[Jamarc]

Whilst I would be happier not to do this, extra pontoons in our marina make it inevitable for our 45ft Bates Starcraft.
Does anyone have experience of this fit - & any advice as to extra bracing or lay-up that might be prudent?

 

[Paglesham]

Repairing a double diagonal is bad enough. Fitting a bow thruster would be nightmare. Sealing the tube would be the worst thing.
I would seriously recommend more fenders and a long shaft to punt it round the end of the pontoon or strap it round like a narrow boat.
Besides people will laugh at you with a bow thruster<g>
They also take a lot of battery power, like 9 HP!!
Martin

 

[miket]

If your boat is on the Thames I'm sure that one of the restoration yards would advise.
I find Colin Messer at Windsor a down to earth chap who has plenty of experience of Starcraft.
There is also a Starcraft owners club, but not sure how active it is at the moment.

 

[Paglesham]

On the Thames?? How's your mortgage?
Martin

 

[Seanick]

Fitted a 30 HP thruster to an Inchcape 45 once. Its straight forward but you need a skilled craftsman to fit backing pads and cutting a perfect hole etc. Fitting a GRP tube ito a GRP hull easier! You could use a GRP tube, laminate up fanges for the outside before you cut the hole. You could use s/s tube and flanges-weld the last one in situ.
On reflection I would go for GRP. Mechanically fasten the flanges (screw or bolt) after you have glassed the flanges to the tube.

People will know though, unless you get one of those new silent ones!