New Bow Thruster

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Helvic hunter

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Once more to the source of all nautical opinion. I intend installing a bow thruster on my 35 foot deep keel yacht - I already have a windlass with heavy duty cables running forward from the main battery bank. I plan to use these cables to power the windlass (can't see I will ever need to run the thruster and windlass at the same time!). My question is simply - of all the makes out there what is the best value unit to purchase.
 
You need a meaty thruster for a 35ft boat, and the current draw is very large. I doubt that your "heavy duty" cables are up to it. Better to install a dedicated bow thruster battery next to it; you can still use your existing cables to charge it.

In terms of value, for a 60kg thrust model, you'd probably find it hard to beat the Maxpower CT60 at £1295 from JG Tech - http://www.jgtech.com/thrusters.htm
 
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Very difficult for a layman such as myself to say which is best value. Having done a fair bit of work on my system to improve performance, I would replace (when it becomes necessary) with Sidepower . No idea if they are good value though. The reasons would be simple wiring and dimensions of the units. I would guess if you were going for a very effective system, you might choose the se80 which would probably require 95mm cables assuming 4m (4mx2=8m) run from the battery, so I agree with PVB/POH about the windlass cables.

I would get a supplier to recommend some kit. Even with a high rated unit fitted if the cabling is not up to snuff the system will be ineffective due to voltage drop. Sidepower quote Thrust at 10.5V/21V* (kg · lbs) 80 · 176 - Thrust at 12V/24V* (kg · lbs) 96 · 212. When I checked my installation the voltage was down below 9.5 when running.......
 
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Helvic hunter said:
I already have a windlass with heavy duty cables running forward from the main battery bank. I plan to use these cables to power the windlass (can't see I will ever need to run the thruster and windlass at the same time!).
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You're probably correct that you won't need both at the same time...unless, you find yourself stern-to Med-berthing, short-handed. If so, you may find that your best way of steering in reverse is by ignoring the helm and using the thruster...and you'll be paying out chain at the same time. Of course you may never go anywhere near the Med, or always have crew to drop the chain on the clutch. Or maybe your boat reverses like a Mini.

Other than that, +1 with other posts. Thrusters have a huge current draw.
 
neale said:
Anchor winch = circa 1000 Watt
Bow Thruster = circa 3-4000 Watt

You're gonna need bigger cables or a dedicated bow battery.
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You bet. Use a split charge controller and your existing cables to charge a 130ah battery in the bow. You'll find your windlass will run faster as well.

Be aware that berthing in a marina you have a depleted thruster battery so make sure it has its own trickle charger.
 
Guys

Thanks for all that - very helpful and it would appear that I will use a dedicated battery for both the windlass (the one I have only pulls the chain up, it uses gravity to drop it down!). and the bow thruster and use the current windlass cabling to charge the battery. A further question evolves - do I need another alternator or is the 60amp one I have sufficient. a

M
 
Agree with having shortest cable runs to batt as possible. I had a mobo once where there was insufficient room for a batt in the forecabin and it ended up going in the saloon involving a long cable run. The size of the cables needed were absolutely massive to get enough juice to the motor and I mean huge and that was the smallest of the Sidepower range. As far as makes go - had Sidepower on my last three boats and they have all been very good.
 
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