Improving a stern thruster

[TerrifiedTony]

Hi All

I lifted our boat out for the first time yesterday and was struck with how puny the stern thruster looked viewed out of the water. I commented to some fellow boaters at the marina and got lots of comments about how inefficient stern thrusters are as they are so high on the transom and can't give the same "bite" as a bow thruster. However, one sage mentioned that he believed you could fit a cowl to either side of the tunnel to improve the force of the propulsion by forcing it downwards and outwards.

Does anybody think this would work and also is it possible to buy these to retrofit , its a Vetus thruster.

And before the thread degenerates into a discussion about what a big girls blouse I am having a stern thruster I admit it...I am. If they had side thrusters I would have had those fitted as well.

Many Thanks
Tony

 

[aquatom]

Syern thrusters of the correct size work very well. I can't see why they would not bite well unless they are not fitted lowenough.

It is not as much about directing the thrust but more about the volume of water that is being moved.

 

[Elessar]

Syern thrusters of the correct size work very well. I can't see why they would not bite well unless they are not fitted lowenough.

It is not as much about directing the thrust but more about the volume of water that is being moved.

the cowls don't force the thrust down as such, but they make the top of the tube lower in the water. If it is too high it cavitates, the ears can help if this is the case. Otherwise, as you say, it's about thruster size.

To the OP - What size is the tube I've a couple of leftover ones in stock you could have cheap.

A day's training is cheaper than upgrading the thruster if the ears aren't the answer........

 

[Hurricane]

A day's training is cheaper than upgrading the thruster if the ears aren't the answer........

On the other hand a stern thruster could SAVE costs in damage if you were to get things wrong!!

 

[hlb]

I've no Idea what a Westwood 35 is. But it has obviously some sort of malfunction, if the back end will not go sideways naturally. Just as the front end of your car will go sideways naturally, just by turning the wheel, so should your boats back end. (If you notice steering wheels are at the front of a car, but rudders are at the back of a boat) That is the difference. Would you put thrusters on the front of your car, because the steering did not work??
........................................................................................

On the other hand a stern thruster could SAVE costs in damage if you were to get things wrong!!
..............................................................................................................

No, the problem is going to go from bad to worse. Two wrongs dont make a right.

Get shut of the boat and get one who's arse end will go side ways naturally on command. I'll guarentee that with it's 400/600? HP behind it, it's going to go sideways just as fast as you please.

 

[Renegade_Master]

Haydn must be feeling better he's back on his favourite topic "ladies aids" :~)

 

[TerrifiedTony]

the cowls don't force the thrust down as such, but they make the top of the tube lower in the water. If it is too high it cavitates, the ears can help if this is the case. Otherwise, as you say, it's about thruster size.

To the OP - What size is the tube I've a couple of leftover ones in stock you could have cheap.

A day's training is cheaper than upgrading the thruster if the ears aren't the answer........

Thanks for the comments,I am not sure of the sizes from memory and the manuals are on the boat, I will take a piccie tomorrow and post it.

As for the training that isn't a problem I am quite happy handling the boat its just that when you get a gaggle of berth holders together debating the underneath of their boats (something they only see every couple of years) and one of the "experts" mentioned imroving the performance of the thruster for a few quid then it's obviously of interest even if it does turn out to be a load of tosh.

 

[hlb]

Haydn must be feeling better he's back on his favourite topic "ladies aids" :~)

Nah, I've just realised, since we've all been playing mr nice guy, we've just been had for mugs. I cant have the only boat in the world who's arse end will go side ways at at least six knots if I want it to, and it aint got any puffter thrusters at all.

It's like saying. My car wont go round corners. Well call the AA out then. Theres summate bloody wrong.

 

[TerrifiedTony]

I've no Idea what a Westwood 35 is. But it has obviously some sort of malfunction, if the back end will not go sideways naturally. Just as the front end of your car will go sideways naturally, just by turning the wheel, so should your boats back end. (If you notice steering wheels are at the front of a car, but rudders are at the back of a boat) That is the difference. Would you put thrusters on the front of your car, because the steering did not work??
........................................................................................

On the other hand a stern thruster could SAVE costs in damage if you were to get things wrong!!
..............................................................................................................

No, the problem is going to go from bad to worse. Two wrongs dont make a right.

Get shut of the boat and get one who's arse end will go side ways naturally on command. I'll guarentee that with it's 400/600? HP behind it, it's going to go sideways just as fast as you please.

Ah now why did I expect this reply, being predictable is so boring! You twin engined johnnies have no idea of the skills required in handling a 65 hp single engine shaft boat. The delicate touch needed to handle a high sided boat when manoeuvring in locks designed for commercial shipping in high winds is infinitely more complex than simply leaving your mooring and heading in the general direction of Anglesey.

If I could trust you to handle my boat I would actually offer you the opportunity to show off your prowess but unfortunately I fear for my rubbing strakes and GRP repairs are very expensive.

PS As you mention cars I do so hope yours doesn't have power steering!

 

[Hurricane]

Haydn must be feeling better he's back on his favourite topic "ladies aids" :~)

Ahh, Clive - now we've got Haydn's attention maybe we can wind him up on his favourite subject.

Haydn
We aren't all as skillfull as you and some of us like to have a backup which saves us money if things go wrong or the conditions become difficult.
For me, the stern thruster is mainly used when in the berth to do final adjustments and I dont want to rip the cleats off the pontoon. I know a little nudge on the throttles is all that is necessary but it puts unnecessary strain on all the other things that are going on. And for what? - A little squirt on the stern thruster is so much gentler on everything. Shame you cant try it sometime - Oh well.

Edit:-

 

[hlb]

Ah now why did I expect this reply, being predictable is so boring! You twin engined johnnies have no idea of the skills required in handling a 65 hp single engine shaft boat. The delicate touch needed to handle a high sided boat when manoeuvring in locks designed for commercial shipping in high winds is infinitely more complex than simply leaving your mooring and heading in the general direction of Anglesey.

If I could trust you to handle my boat I would actually offer you the opportunity to show off your prowess but unfortunately I fear for my rubbing strakes and GRP repairs are very expensive.

PS As you mention cars I do so hope yours doesn't have power steering!

Sorry. You've been sneaky. I'll have to go back and get another boat................Brumm....................................................................................................Brum.....................Brum

Brum.

Will this do. Delft 50ft 50hp about 20 tons.

Seems to fit most places

Now this one really was a bugger to handle.

If you let me have a go at yours, you can try mine.

Vhttp://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i81/haydn_2006/Meekatharra2.jpghttp://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i81/haydn_2006/Meekatharra2.jpg

Or we could go for the ex Liberty boat D9, about 60ft, 65 tons, did about six knots, no idea what engine.

Sorry, no picture.


Come on, it cant be difficult, even Harry can do it
v
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v

v

v

v
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v

But why struggle. Why not get something that is a dream to handle, has no vices and does just what it says on the tin


V
V
V
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She answers to two names.

MEEKATHARRA (A Place With Little Water)

Or more famously, the infamous.

Mucky Farter.

 

[TerrifiedTony]

You have proved my point. You are obviously only brave enough to handle a mans boat (single engined shaft!) when its made of steel and you can't damage it.

 

[hlb]

You have proved my point. You are obviously only brave enough to handle a mans boat (single engined shaft!) when its made of steel and you can't damage it.

Oh you are picky.

 

[TerrifiedTony]

And your point is?...that you wander round marinas taking pictures? You see the thing is Mr HLB I only have your word that you are as magnificent as you say. Over the years you have never ceased to remind us and of course one or two other forumites may have witnessed the odd lucky manouevre but it seems strange that when we mere mortals make a mistake the whole marina is out in force. Conversely only you are lucky enough to have the reverse and its only busy when you make a smooth approach.

The thing is Mr HLB I remember you from your Wigan Casino days. Stood in a corner pimply faced wearing your Crombie and Doc Martens sipping a pint of flat rib and trying to pluck up courage to go an ask for a dance. The strange thing is that the one time I did see you dance I remember saying to my mates. Look at yon yowth, he's not a Leyther. He dances like he has a stern thruster up his ar*e"

You needed it then and you need one now but are too proud to admit it.

 

[rubberduck]

Hi All

I lifted our boat out for the first time yesterday and was struck with how puny the stern thruster looked viewed out of the water. I commented to some fellow boaters at the marina and got lots of comments about how inefficient stern thrusters are as they are so high on the transom and can't give the same "bite" as a bow thruster. However, one sage mentioned that he believed you could fit a cowl to either side of the tunnel to improve the force of the propulsion by forcing it downwards and outwards.

Does anybody think this would work and also is it possible to buy these to retrofit , its a Vetus thruster.

And before the thread degenerates into a discussion about what a big girls blouse I am having a stern thruster I admit it...I am. If they had side thrusters I would have had those fitted as well.

Many Thanks
Tony

I think you will find cowls are for directing water flow around obstacles such as stern drives or swim platform bits & pieces, they will not increase the power.

 

[TerrifiedTony]

Pardon ? Oops forgot what the original thread was about for a few seconds there. Thanks for the comments. I just remembered I had a couple of pictures of the thruster before the boat was launched. I am beginning to think my learned friend at the marina was in fact talking a load of tosh but maybe this picture will throw some light on the question.

PS First time posting pictures so it may not work.

 

[TerrifiedTony]

Got the hang of this now so in case anyone else is wondering what a Westwood A35 is, heres a piccie. Off thread I know but I am excited.

 

[aquapower]

looking at that it should not need any cowls, it sounds like its just not powerfull enough, I have fitted a few now but none as easy as that as most you have to work in around exhausts/trimtabs etc.

 

[hlb]

And your point is...that you wander round marinas taking pictures? You see the thing is Mr HLB I only have your word that you are as magnificent as you say.

When did I ever say anything about being magnificent.?? Superman maybe. But I'm not the sort to brag.

Delft. My wifes x barge.

Come on, you must remember Jack and Veras Boat Bar. Anyway it's in our games room.

Umm. The Donkeys on a Mates Narrow Boat in Preston. Sorry. A bit of a red herring..

Then Of Course the Famous ENGLANDER. My mate Colin Scotts Boat when it was in Barcelona.

Over the years you have never ceased to remind us and of course one or two other forumites may have witnessed the odd lucky manouevre but it seems strange that when we mere mortals make a mistake the whole marina is out in force. Conversely only you are lucky enough to have the reverse and its only busy when you make a smooth approach.

You never heard of the famous Mucky Farter Smoke screen?? Yer just jealous.

The thing is Mr HLB I remember you from your Wigan Casino days. Stood in a corner pimply faced wearing your Crombie and Doc Martens sipping a pint of flat rib and trying to pluck up courage to go an ask for a dance. The strange thing is that the one time I did see you dance I remember saying to my mates. Look at yon yowth, he's not a Leyther. He dances like he has a stern thruster up his ar*e"

That is slander sir. I thought Wigan was famous for it's pier and pies never even knew it had a Casino. I'll see you in court.

You needed it then and you need one now but are too proud to admit it.

Yes I admit my sense of humour is a bit slow.

But then the compitition round here is bloody awfull.

 

[hlb]

in case anyone else is wondering what a Westwood A35 is, heres a piccie.

Bugger, I thought it was a lawn tractor.