In Build

[jfm]

Electric st thrusters will take 200- 400 amps so will have a big solenoid breaker too. That solenoid will likey be controlled by a remote control switch somewhere on one of the distribution panels. As a safety precaution when folks are swimming I'd strongly suggest turning the st thruster off using that switch too. It is possible a kid could press both the on joystick buttons and leave them on, and for the next 10mins (till the timer disables, as you say) a flick on the joystick switches the thruster on. On my boat for sure people snorkel and dive under the boat, and girls with long hair trail it around, so I wouldn't rely on the platform to keep em off the thruster. I'm being a bit sooper safety conscious and we're talking one in a million chance but the severity of injury from these things (and the various hydraulic rams, on passerelles etc) puts a double onus of safety consciousness on the skipper imho. Of course all these things are subtley done - your guests wont be aware even that you've isolated the thruster using the solenoid, so you'll never be thanked for it!

But all that said, my thoughts here might only apply to smaller boats. Your thrusters are hydraulic, right, so wont function without the engines on? In which case you're fine cos you would never have guests swimming with the engines on.

Will be interested to hear how you like the Avon 320 4-stroke. Got sick of mine PDQ and now looking forward to a loverly reliable Yamaha outboard

 

[oceandrive]

Yep good point re the thrusters and yes the are hydrolic PTO each engine as against the 72s being electric. so looks like it's sorted. As we always have a ten min stand down on anchor before anybody swins etc. My time for a check for swinging on anchor etc. Then its usualy the tender off and chocks stowed to leave a clean platform for swimming.

With regard to the Avon been using these for the past 5-6 years. OK but as you will know very hard to control low steed especialy whenyour trying to get near the platform in a swell. But the only reason we have gone this way is that we have retained the Avon from the previous boat. So nice Williams in the garage for the family to use and the avon for me nipping to the supermercardo and marina offices etc. You have gone the right way with an out board but how ever bad the jets are the kids love to go to the beach and jets much safer for that. "Getting back to the thruster issue" Have become a bit of an expert at keeping them running.

 

[oceandrive]

JFM another point is that we are on a drive on and off system as against you are probably on davits or crane so Outboard much more suitable for you. As a nice clean launch.

 

[NEB]

Sealine use V-drives on the T50, mainly Volvo D9-575s.