Remember that electric outboard mounted on the bow?

[Otter]

I'm working on a project to do with getting some sideways stern thrust and I remember seeing on a post someone had designed an electric outboard to fit on the bow of a boat. It looked like it might break off in a blow but what do I know? Anyway, I can see it maybe working if fitted to the stern of our cat but can't find the link. Anyone know what I'm referring to?

Thanks for the help. Simon

 

[scottie]

very common in the USA as fishing engines such as this one http://www.bassfishingusa.com/trollingmotors.html
http://www.trackerboats.com/

they use them as trolling motors

 

[Otter]

I'm aware of electric outboards generally but what I need is one you can control remotely rather than having to use the twist grip throttle. Being a center cockpit that's quite an issue. The guy who made them into bow thrusters would know about remote control ones - hence the rather specific question!

 

[William_H]

I think if you opened up an electric o/b you would find you can bypass the speed control ie wire direct to the motor. These wires are connected to the 12v supply for full power. If you want reversing then you will need a complex switch which will connect power but with the reverse connections. You might also want an electric actuator to put the motor down into the water.
So remote control for use as a turning thruster should be fairly easy.
Whether it will provide enough thrust to turn the cat is perhaps another question. good luck olewill

 

[paulm299]

Used them in Canada . You can get a foot operated switch for forward / reverse . I do not know where you would get the switch in UK . Try searching Trolling motors in US/Canada .

 

[DownWest]

Look at www.westmarine.com Remote control by little radio gizmos. More interesting are the separate motors for mounting on the cavitation plates of big out boards for trolling. But I second the comment about enough thrust to turn a cat. Bow thrusters are several horsepower, trolling motors usually v. low power. Not a lot of help against the windage of a high sided cat.
Andrew

 

[ronsurf]

A friend has an electric trolling motor on his stern to act as a thruster to get out of the marina. His boat only goes in a straight line in reverse, so the motor helps swing the stern round. Says it cost him £120. Works a treat from what I saw. When he's sailing he moves it up onto a mount on the pushpit like a small outboard

 

[Otter]

Thanks for the tip - any idea how he controls it or can he reach from the cockpit?