Recommendations for a bow thruster to be fitted

[Ianqv]

Dear Members of the Parish,

We are considering having a retractable bow thruster fitted.
Can anyone recommend where on the East Coast would be good to have this done?

Many thanks

Ian

 

[Concerto]

Harbour Marine Services Home

They have fitted plenty.

 

[wingdiver]

We had our Side Power hydraulic bowthruster fitted by Fox's. I believe that they are agents for them. They have also fitted many other types over the years we've been based here - electric, retractable etc including on all kinds of yachts (Oyster etc) and motor boats. Our neighbour had their stern thruster fitted here too. Ralph Catchpole is the guy to chat to... Ralph Tell him I sent you and he'll add 10%

 

[Ianqv]

Many thanks
Cheers

Ian

 

[Cantata]

HMS at Southwold is certainly one good place, and also Fox’s. Get a quote from Suffolk Yacht Harbour too, I suggest.

 

[PaulRainbow]

HMS
Foxs
Shotley Marina

(in no particular order)

 

[pvb]

For a retractable thruster, I'd go to Fox's.

 

[Marmalade]

Fox's fitted ours a few years back. Would recommend going for a thruster with a remote control - we have a pendant remote (hangs around your neck on a lanyard) which means you can blip the thruster without being at the helm - useful if you're on the deck handling lines eg in a lock...

 

[Ianqv]

Many thanks all.
I esp like the idea of a remote control with it

Kind Regards
Ian

 

[PeterWright]

Many thanks all.
I esp like the idea of a remote control with it

Kind Regards
Ian

I have to say this is one bit of kit for which a remote control seems superfluous to me. If you're needing to use the bow thruster, I would say you want the wheel, throttle and gearbox controls to hand as well. I prefer to wait until I have manoeuvred alongside before I leave the cockpit to secure the lines, even when single handed.

Peter.

P

 

[pvb]

I have to say this is one bit of kit for which a remote control seems superfluous to me. If you're needing to use the bow thruster, I would say you want the wheel, throttle and gearbox controls to hand as well. I prefer to wait until I have manoeuvred alongside before I leave the cockpit to secure the lines, even when single handed.

I don't agree; I fitted a remote for my thruster. It's very useful when singlehanding in a marina.

 

[LittleSister]

I've had a Side-Power thruster installed by Harbour Marine Services at Southwold and have been very happy with their work and attitude. (The boat hasn't been back in the water to try it out, but I don't anticipate any problems.)

I initially asked Shotley for a quote to do the installation a couple of years ago, but haven't had a reply yet!

 

[MoodySabre]

Althorne Marine - in Bradwell - have fitted lots.

 

[xyachtdave]

I'm waiting (with pop corn ) for the boat handling guru that hasn't needed a bow thruster in 50 years of boating on his 25 ton ferro-cement long keeler to tell the OP he doesn't need one and should get some tuition....

 

[MoodySabre]

Oi Ianqv - what he said ^^ ?
You must have a new boat Dave.

(Ian is on the same pontoon as me but luckily I'm on the other side of it )

 

[Rafiki]

Whoever you go to make sure that the quote includes absolutely everything. Having had one done myself, to a high standard by one of the yards already mentioned such "extras" may include, but are not limited to;
Lift out and back in
Battery for the thruster
Platform and box for the thruster battery
Isolater switch to/from the battery for thruster and associated fuses and box to protect the fuse.
Wiring to/from remote battery for charging purposes, including so that it charges up from Shorepower not just engine alternator
Do you want cabling to be changed so that the windlass operates from the the forward battery as well as thruster?
Control panel and any changes to your pedestal to facilitate fitting ( mine required a cross piece to be welded in place)
Do you have a holding tank that will need to be changed to fit the thruster?

 

[pvb]

Whoever you go to make sure that the quote includes absolutely everything. Having had one done myself, to a high standard by one of the yards already mentioned such "extras" may include, but are not limited to;
Lift out and back in
Battery for the thruster
Platform and box for the thruster battery
Isolater switch to/from the battery for thruster and associated fuses and box to protect the fuse.
Wiring to/from remote battery for charging purposes, including so that it charges up from Shorepower not just engine alternator
Do you want cabling to be changed so that the windlass operates from the the forward battery as well as thruster?
Control panel and any changes to your pedestal to facilitate fitting ( mine required a cross piece to be welded in place)
Do you have a holding tank that will need to be changed to fit the thruster?

That's a very important point. Fitting a retractable thruster is a big job to start with, and you wouldn't want any surprises when you get the bill.

In fact, for the majority of boats, the extra cost of a retractable thruster is hard to justify.

 

[xyachtdave]

Whoever you go to make sure that the quote includes absolutely everything. Having had one done myself, to a high standard by one of the yards already mentioned such "extras" may include, but are not limited to;
Lift out and back in
Battery for the thruster
Platform and box for the thruster battery
Isolater switch to/from the battery for thruster and associated fuses and box to protect the fuse.
Wiring to/from remote battery for charging purposes, including so that it charges up from Shorepower not just engine alternator
Do you want cabling to be changed so that the windlass operates from the the forward battery as well as thruster?
Control panel and any changes to your pedestal to facilitate fitting ( mine required a cross piece to be welded in place)
Do you have a holding tank that will need to be changed to fit the thruster?