Southerly 110 Stern-Thruster

[Tamino]

Due to the poor maneuverability of the S 110, I looked into the question of a stern thruster and found the following picture. The cost would be 5600.- in pounds . What should we think of this?

 

[doug748]

Sounds expensive, do you have a bow thruster? Many people get by with twin rudders but they often, but not always, have deep draught and good grip on the water.
I think reversing up to most things might be the key but you probably already know that. Flaming of this forum gave some tips out a while ago he may see this and give a view. Welcome by the way.

 

[Tamino]

Thank you for your Welcome. I will think about your advice

 

[Stemar]

Welcome to the madhouse!

If you haven't got a bowthruster, that's where I would start. If it's the earlier Southerlies with a single rudder on a skeg, that should be enough unless you have a particularly awkward mooring. If she's a later one with a flat bottom and twin rudders, fitting a retractable one, something like this VIP 150 Electric Retractable Thruster might be easier to fit, but I rather think you'll need to be sitting down when they tell you the price.

 

[Tamino]

My S110 has twin rudders. I `ve read bad things with regard do retractable Thrusters. The other possibility is fitting a Side-power pod.

 

[Tranona]

Due to the poor maneuverability of the S 110, I looked into the question of a stern thruster and found the following picture. The cost would be 5600.- in pounds . What should we think of this?

Presumably you have a bow thruster already as i think most, if not all were fitted with one at the factory. If so then the stern thruster may not add much except that it may help reduce the effect of crosswind on the stern. The 2 problems with the Southerly are excess windage because of the high topsides and coachroof and shallow underwater body plus the lack of waterflow from the propeller over the rudders. Not dissimilar to many modern high sides boats with saildrives that have similar windage issues and the propeller is a long way forward from the (single) rudder. For many years I had a 2015 Bavaria 33 and my neighbour in the marina had a Southerly 110 both with bow thruster. Similar problems of wide turning circle at low speeds and difficulty in keeping straight when entering the berth with a cross wind. My solution, because I was almost always on my own was to turn the boat and reverse into the berth using the bow thruster to steer the bow to keep the boat straight. Not foolproof but I found it easier to attach the stern first and then control the bow with the thruster. My neighbour had his wife steering, going in forwards using the thruster to keep the boat close to the finger so that he could jump off with a mid and stern line.

Of course your berthing arrangements may well be different and i think you have to experiment to find out what works for you. One thing I always meant to ask my neighbour is whether he left the board down as my neighbour the other side has a Freedom 33 and he leaves his board down to help reduce the effect of the wind.

Hope this helps.

 

[Tamino]

Thank you for your answer. Till now i sailed most time alone and had no collision in 40 years. But now after a few hours I had one. So I look for a stern-thruster in order to have sailing season with out problems. I will try to reverse into the berth

 

[Tranona]

The standard fit in the Southerly was I think Sidepower SE60 - that is what I had in my Bavaria and also in my current boat. The stern thruster in your photo looks like it is in a 110mm tube which limits power to 25kg although looking at the blades it may be a Vetus unit rather than Sidepower.

The price you were quoted sounds about right as there is a lot of work in the tunnel and doing all the cabling. My view about the money side is that if it makes your life easier and it means you get more and safer use out of the boat then it is money well spent.

The photo shows my Bavaria with the Southerly on the right and Freedom behind. All owned by elderly gentlemen with decades of sailing behind them.

 

[Tamino]

The thruster shall be a Side-Power SE60 . The Price includes SE60 with double Joystick, connection to the Bow-Thruster, and complete installation

 

[prestomg27]

I sail my friends 110 on the east coadt a fair bit with twin rudders and bow thruster. I find it very easy to manoeuvre with the bow thruster. Tend to reverse it into berths as the twin rudders anchors the rear really well and the bow thruster can then just move the front around really precisely. I dont think a rear thruster would be much use as the twin rudders do anchor the rear.

 

[Tamino]

Thank you for the helpful contributions. I decided not to install a stern thruster. Instead, I will only practice putting it on with the existing bow thruster.

 

[Bouba]

I think a potential problem is the thruster doesn’t look like it’s completely astern ....this could cause sideways movement..which is what you want...but it might have to work harder than if it was on the transom and therefore not be as effective.
Of course I’m only going by your picture which might not show it’s true position

 

[Tranona]

It can't go any further aft and still be in hull. So would have to be a retractable.