Stern Thruster Install - Beneteau Antares 30

[Sydneysider]

Have decided to get serious about the stern thruster install to my Antares 30.
I crawled into the lazarette and had a better look at the box where most are mounting the stern thruster on this model.
The inside dimensions are at least 380mm long x 300h x 300w.
Elessar and others who have these on their boats;
I was wanting to know how big I would be able to cut a access hole in the side of the box as pictured? the hole already there is 100mm - I was thinking of going about 50mm from all edges except from the bottom as the box continues below the stringer so probably 20mm above the stringer. So that should get me about 200h x 300w. It has been said to round off the corners what radius would be good I was thinking off a 4x 50 mm hole saw then join the holes together to form one big hole?
It seems like a SE 40 side power thruster with sidepower stern adapter is the choice, are the cowlings necessary? some have them some do not.
I think to get the position on the transom, I would cut a template of stern adapter flange with a centre point. Place the template on the desired position internally, drill a pilot hole from the inside out, check position outside(this could then be altered slightly if needed) when happy drill big hole.
Is it a good idea to have a separate battery for this thruster? if so where would it mount? I would leave all the wiring up to the marine electrician, I would probably just run some cable.
Would only probably worry about a control on the lower station as I never dock from the flybridge?
Regards Scott

 

[romans8]

We had stern thruster fitted on our Beneteau Antares 30 fly
Best choice we made so much easier to dock
Osmotech at Hamble UK fitted it with cowling which has worked well
Had dual joysticks fitted at both helms
As we use fly bridge often to dock boat

 

[Elessar]

Have decided to get serious about the stern thruster install to my Antares 30.
I crawled into the lazarette and had a better look at the box where most are mounting the stern thruster on this model.
The inside dimensions are at least 380mm long x 300h x 300w.
Elessar and others who have these on their boats;
I was wanting to know how big I would be able to cut a access hole in the side of the box as pictured? the hole already there is 100mm - I was thinking of going about 50mm from all edges except from the bottom as the box continues below the stringer so probably 20mm above the stringer. So that should get me about 200h x 300w. It has been said to round off the corners what radius would be good I was thinking off a 4x 50 mm hole saw then join the holes together to form one big hole?
It seems like a SE 40 side power thruster with sidepower stern adapter is the choice, are the cowlings necessary? some have them some do not.
I think to get the position on the transom, I would cut a template of stern adapter flange with a centre point. Place the template on the desired position internally, drill a pilot hole from the inside out, check position outside(this could then be altered slightly if needed) when happy drill big hole.
Is it a good idea to have a separate battery for this thruster? if so where would it mount? I would leave all the wiring up to the marine electrician, I would probably just run some cable.
Would only probably worry about a control on the lower station as I never dock from the flybridge?
Regards Scott

Ive not had one on my boat but have fitted quite a few and have used a couple of these boats extensively, with and witout one.

This boat is transformed for the better with one. It is money well spent.

An SE 40 is what you want. I used to fit the max power thruster in the side power tubes. I hate mis matching control joysticks and that is what was generally fitted in the bow.

But max power went bust. The access hole needs to be as big as you can just round the corners and leave about 100mm of box all round. It is still a tricky install.

Battery goes in the same place as the thruster, but port side.

Osmotech have done loads of them and I would recommend them too. They reckon you need the ears but I have never fitted them and I reckon they work fine without.

Nice boat BTW.

 

[Sydneysider]

We had stern thruster fitted on our Beneteau Antares 30 fly
Best choice we made so much easier to dock
Osmotech at Hamble UK fitted it with cowling which has worked well
Had dual joysticks fitted at both helms
As we use fly bridge often to dock boat

Hi Romans,

Thanks for your reply
I am doing OK without a stern thruster, but would be nice, when visiting a unfamiliar marina or save the stern when the wind is blowing the wrong way.
Would love to get Osmotech to do it, but they are a bit far away..... I have emailed them for information, but they have not replied.
I have noticed you have sidepower dual controllers, was there modification required? as I assume you don't have a sidepower bowthruster?
Do you stand at the flybridge when docking? I cannot reach the controls properly when standing, so sitting I only basically have a view through the flybridge hatch down to the port swimplatform to the sides and aft.
I know this is a big ask, but could you (or one of your boys) take a photo of the internal stern thruster install showing the access hole?

Regards Scott

 

[Sydneysider]

Ive not had one on my boat but have fitted quite a few and have used a couple of these boats extensively, with and witout one.

This boat is transformed for the better with one. It is money well spent.

An SE 40 is what you want. I used to fit the max power thruster in the side power tubes. I hate mis matching control joysticks and that is what was generally fitted in the bow.

But max power went bust. The access hole needs to be as big as you can just round the corners and leave about 100mm of box all round. It is still a tricky install.

Battery goes in the same place as the thruster, but port side.

Osmotech have done loads of them and I would recommend them too. They reckon you need the ears but I have never fitted them and I reckon they work fine without.

Nice boat BTW.

Hi Elessar,

Thank you for your reply,
It seems like Max power is back in business - Does the side power stern adapter need any modification to fit the max power motor, or viser versa? This would solve any issues with controller compatibility.
If 100mm is left on the box all round it will give me access of about 180 long and 100mm high, I don't think the thruster will go through this gap? Does it need to be at least 200x200?
With the battery, is the best place the crawl through behind the fuel tank?, or would it be better at the port side of the fuel tank where access is a bit better, it could do with some additional weight there as well.

Regards Scott

 

[Clara Belle]

Hi Elessar,

Thank you for your reply,
It seems like Max power is back in business - Does the side power stern adapter need any modification to fit the max power motor, or viser versa? This would solve any issues with controller compatibility.
If 100mm is left on the box all round it will give me access of about 180 long and 100mm high, I don't think the thruster will go through this gap? Does it need to be at least 200x200?
With the battery, is the best place the crawl through behind the fuel tank?, or would it be better at the port side of the fuel tank where access is a bit better, it could do with some additional weight there as well.

Regards Scott

Hi Sydneysider
Not sure if you still have your antares - i'm a newbie purchased a 2014 antares 20 fly . The SE40 stern thruster has packed in - pretty sure its the shear pin- ive crawled into the lazarette but it seems to be fitted behind (to the rear of ) the fuel tank. Did you end up fitting one?
Regards
Richard

 

[Clara Belle]

Hi Sydneysider
Not sure if you still have your antares - i'm a newbie purchased a 2014 antares 20 fly . The SE40 stern thruster has packed in - pretty sure its the shear pin- ive crawled into the lazarette but it seems to be fitted behind (to the rear of ) the fuel tank. Did you end up fitting one?
Regards
Richard

Correction - should read antares 30 fly

 

[Sydneysider]

Hi Clara Belle, Yes have installed the stern with thanks to this forum, and has been very succesfull. Last year the thruster stopped working, but made a whirring noise when operating the control which turned out to be the shear pin. To access you need to slide down the starboard side under the exhaust and behind the fuel tank there is a mounting box for the rudder hydrolics, there should be a hole cut in the side of this box and the truster motor mounted inside. There are 2 (by memory) allen key bolts that when removed the motor comes away and the shear pin is located on the motor shaft, the boat does not need to be hauled to do it. Not an easy job but doable, was easier than the windlass replacement i needed to do a couple of months ago. If you have any other questions pls ask.

 

[Clara Belle]

Thank you Sydneysider - I will look over the weekend.

 

[Fager]

Hi Antares 30 owners
I am now a happy antares 30 owner
I will install a stern thruster and are doing some research so I would be very grateful for some advices.
Sidneysider did you use the measures you mentioned in your post from 2009?
So you installed a SE40? Nice to know a model that for sure fits in the box.
Any other advices?
Nice to have some Antares 30 fiends here.
Regards Anders

 

[Sydneysider]

Hi Fager,
You will love the boat, we have had ours 10 years and put 1500hrs on it.
See link with more info on the install and pics; Antares 30 stern thruster
I am fairly sure the box was cut as described but will take a pic when next in there. I had all the work done by the various trades, I sourced the parts and coordinated it.

 

[Rangerman]

Hi Fager, The stern thruster on my Antares 30 is offset to the port side and as such sits outside of the box that supports the steering gear. You can sit the position in the pic attached

 

[Fager]

Hi Fager,
You will love the boat, we have had ours 10 years and put 1500hrs on it.
See link with more info on the install and pics; Antares 30 stern thruster
I am fairly sure the box was cut as described but will take a pic when next in there. I had all the work done by the various trades, I sourced the parts and coordinated it.

Hi Sydneysider
Thanks for the info. Are you happy with your SE40? Do you think it has enough power? I have had a look at SE60 but it seems to be too big, it will be too close to waterline.

 

[Sydneysider]

Hi Fager,
I find it ok with the SE40, but are a lot better off with it than without. I have not got the cowls on mine and have been considering fitting them. With the fuel tank close to empty, I feel the perfomance lessens.

 

[Steveraeside]

Hi Sydneysider
Thanks for the info. Are you happy with your SE40? Do you think it has enough power? I have had a look at SE60 but it seems to be too big, it will be too close to waterline.

Hi, looking at an Antares 30 tomorrow. Are you still happy with yours? I’ve seen a few comments about them being expensive for a single engine. But my thinking is cheaper servicing and less to go wrong.

 

[baldyash]

Hi, just butting in.Hope you don't mind!
We have had ours from new, 2010 with a yanmar engine. My wife needed,heating ,proper toilet, hot water on tap and doors to the outside world.That all seemed fair enough and the Antares 30 fitted the bill. Forward facing passenger seat was a bonus . We do stay on board, just 2 of us and 2 dogs. Service is alot cheaper due to 1 engine and shaft drive. Clean bottom about 52l per hr at 19 knots. 2900 rpm. Definetly needs a stern thruster as reversing without one can be interesting! Also saves much shouting and quite periods with the misses!! I must admit we rarely use the fly bridge which is a shame as its really quite spacious. I also installed a second MFD upstairs and a reversing camera to the downstairs MFD. Just.fitted a new battery charger ,victron, which has blue tooth access so you can see the state of the batteries on the phone app. Running cables from downstairs to the flybridge is a pain,my only real criticism. Maybe a bigger fuel tank, but not a real problem. Make sure the depth gauge works ,paddle wheel will fur up but can be cleaned with boat in the water with minimal ingress . Its a triple sender also gives water temp. Mine failed along with the dcm30 fish finder model but got a second hand module and new sender.All fixed!
Good luck
Stuart

 

[Elessar]

Hi, looking at an Antares 30 tomorrow. Are you still happy with yours? I’ve seen a few comments about them being expensive for a single engine. But my thinking is cheaper servicing and less to go wrong.

Antares 30 is one on my favourite boats.

Amazing seakeeping and single better than twin at this size.

At this size it would be top of my list. But it’s a handful without a sternthruster which wasn’t standard.

 

[Rangerman]

Just love our Antares 30 Fly , We have had it 3 years now and its the perfect boat for two+ grand kids. Good sea keeping and fuel economy