scoty
New member
I am think some one will have tried this if not only for economic reasons, that is connecting GPS to the bow thruster, making the bow thruster a course corrector or auto pilot.
GPS
- Thread starter scoty
- Start date
pvb
Well-known member
Started on the gin early tonight?
lpdsn
New member
I think that was fitted to a boat that was berthing in the marina a few weeks ago.
You could also connect it to a mainsheet winch for the mainsail and steer with weather helm.
sailorman
Well-known member
It will be in the nxt 10 yrs that rudders will be replaced by bow thrusters, many AWBs now use them more than their rudders
Spi D
...
Erhm.. Thrusters are designed for running seconds at a time, using a lot of power while doing it.
The common solution is to use the rudder for steering, also compensating to reach desired position.
What would be the benefit of using the thruster?
The common solution is to use the rudder for steering, also compensating to reach desired position.
What would be the benefit of using the thruster?
onesea
Well-known member
scoty
New member
bow thruster
Auto pilots run in seconds also, using the bow thruster, I have no need to buy an auto pilot,,,,the bow thruster is already fitted, I now manually use it for course correction and it·s more reliable and simple than most auto pilots.
I only need a box to so the GPS will talk to the bow thruster controls
Auto pilots run in seconds also, using the bow thruster, I have no need to buy an auto pilot,,,,the bow thruster is already fitted, I now manually use it for course correction and it·s more reliable and simple than most auto pilots.
I only need a box to so the GPS will talk to the bow thruster controls
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scoty
New member
Too slow.....to date a second or two burst as needed does a good job of course correction on my long keeled motor boat.
Seajet
...
I knew someone who had a Lochin 33 fishing boat, fitted out money-no-object; the bow thruster was actually steerable and could be used as emergency propulsion - I don't know any more details.
Twister_Ken
Well-known member
Sounds like a solution looking for a problem.
BrianH
Active member
The average GPS is constantly adjusting the coordinates even when static if the AIS target reports I can see of moored ships are any reference. It may be due to satellite constellations but rarely do they remain constant. Therefore I could image your bowthruster will be making many small adjustments that may not be necessary.
Cappen Boidseye
New member
I thought a bow thruster was only really effective below a couple of knots, at least that is what I have read and been told by ferry captains, never having used one myself. In a well trimmed and well designed boat the rudder should hardly need to move from the straight ahead position, reducing its drag to a minimum, I would have thought that that was the most effective way to correct your course.
Iliade
Well-known member
In a bit of a sea my autopilot is working its socks off trying to keep up with wave-induced peturbation. I wouldn't like to try to sleep if a bow thruster was doing the same work next to my ear. Also it would be a very energy hungry solution.
Cappen Boidseye
New member
My tillerpilot only works hard when I am sailing downhill, the waves up my bottom give it a good work out. On beam reaches and into the wind I often let things get settled then put it in standby so it just holds the tiller steady and the boat seems happy to keep the same heading relative to the wind. Of course if the wind shifts then I have to let some steering happen.
prv
Well-known member
Right, and do you know what that box is called?
That's an autopilot.
The mechanical drive component is a relatively small part of an autopilot system - and it's also the simplest. Replacing it with a connection to a bow thruster would not be difficult - some models of Raymarine pilot have terminals meant to drive solenoid valves on constant-running hydraulic steering systems, and with a bit of luck they might work on a thruster's solenoids without any further work. Brilliant, so you don't need the linear drive. But you still need the rest of the autopilot (I haven't checked prices, but I'd guess over a grand) and you end up with a system that is unsatisfactory for all the reasons others have already posted.
Pete
Spi D
...
The value is bound to be better on a tiller- or wheelpilot.
Known good and proven, easy install. Even the entry level tiller pilots contain all needed components inside the unit and will hold your course without anything else than 12v supply.
Put on when you want, stow away when not in use.
On the other hand, if you have an urge for challenges and think you can do better than those who have developed systems for decades, please keep us informed on your progress
Known good and proven, easy install. Even the entry level tiller pilots contain all needed components inside the unit and will hold your course without anything else than 12v supply.
Put on when you want, stow away when not in use.
On the other hand, if you have an urge for challenges and think you can do better than those who have developed systems for decades, please keep us informed on your progress
Cappen Boidseye
New member
I suppose the actuator of a tillerpilot could be attached to a joystick controller for a bow thruster, that would then use the bowthruster to steer the boat to a compass course, thinking about that more, it is possible to link a plotter to a tillerpilot to increase the automation and have it follow a course, that's getting nearer to what the OP wants. It would look very clunky though! I still think that steering under way is not what a bow thruster is for, but that isn't the question.