Thrusters for Beneteau Antares 10.80

[Nigelhargreaves]

My Beneteau twin shaft drive has neither bow or stern thrusters. Mooring against ebb tide and/or wind can be tricky but doable with at least one extra crew. Would a thruster make a huge difference and, if so, how much would this cost as such an installation well beyond my DIY skills. Can anybody comment?

 

[markdj]

We installed bow and stern thrusters to a 10.8 about 10 years ago. I would say a bow thruster is a must for any planing hull boat as there is no keel to keep you from blowing about like a tent.
http://boatdoctorni.com/beneteau-antares-10-8-bow-thruster-installation/

On looking at it now, the only thing we would do differently would be the outside fairing and probably flocoat the inside. One of the things that you will see at the boat show and on hear so many bow thruster installations is the lack of fairing around the holes. Basically, the more fairing you have, the quieter and more efficient the thruster will be, by up to 10-15% better. Sharp edges are a big N O.

Here's a much more recent install.
http://boatdoctorni.com/beneteau-oceanis-42cc-bow-thruster-installation/

You should be looking at getting good fairing by whoever installs it. Hope this helps.

 

[Nigelhargreaves]

Thanks very much for the input - I think a bow thruster with fairing seems to be the way forward - hopefully the better steering with twin shafts should keep the stern in place?

 

[markdj]

Yeah, absolutely, you can use the prop walk to get the stern under control.

 

[Nigelhargreaves]

Thanks very much - once the job's done I can report back with comments for others.

 

[Nigelhargreaves]

Just a thought - as you had a 10.80 some time ago, do you recall where the screen washer reservoir is sited - I've run dry and just cannot find where to refill. Am I missing something obvious?

 

[markdj]

We only installed the thruster, never owned a 10.8. I'm wondering if it was connected to the main tank... In the shower, open the door to see all the pipes, maybe you can trace it? Or try in the fly bridge compartment? I'm only guessing.

 

[Nigelhargreaves]

Thanks - out fishing tomorrow so I'll have another go........

 

[romans8]

It is a must to have stern and bow thrusters
I had a Beneteau Antares 8.80 with a bow thruster - that was great then I bought a Beneteau Antares 30 fly seamotion had Osmotech fit a stern thruster.
Oh my word what a difference it made docking - it was so easy.
Look at Anders blog and our blog for information
http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthrea...-Fly-Seamotion/page4&highlight=Bought+antares
And
http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthrea...uestions&highlight=Beneteau+Antares+questions
And
http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthrea...-Antares-8-80&highlight=Beneteau+Antares+8.80

 

[derekh]

I know this is a late reply but last year I fitted a bow thruster to my 1080. Great job made mooring a lot easier where I am on the tidal river Bann the flow can push you where you prefer not to go. (Vitus 25kgs) the windscreen washer bottle is in behind the circular inspection hatch under the helm on the fly bridge.

 

[Nigelhargreaves]

Thanks for the response.

Firstly the easy one - found the washer reservoir easily a while ago. Had previously relied upon crew member who advised nothing on the fly bridge so just goes to show that 'if you want something done properly.........'

Bow thruster - am still managing without but it can be tricky when combined tidal flow and wind push the boat off the mooring. Will have to balance whether cost of professional supply and fit is worthwhile - will have to get a quote but would be interested in anybody's thoughts on what the pricing might be as without a comparison it's difficult to know. Next step is get a few quotes I guess.