Willdo Jet Thrusters - Any experience?

Corky

Corky

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Has anyone any experience of the Jet thrusters from Willdo, especially the electric one? They look a great innovation and less structural work would be required on my 30ft boat, but my only concern is their comment about it being slower than a conventional bow-thruster. Let's not have the usual banter about why you'd need a bow thruster at all please.
 
Are these the ones Vetus has been developing or somebody like that, with water jets in the side of the hull?
 
Yes, they're the ones, hydraulic drives. Either electric or propulsion drive from the engine. 4 'jets' strategically positioned on the hull driving water jets. Can drive both bow and stern together to move boat sideways or in isolation for bow or stern thrust.
 
Thanks Jimmy, hadn't found this one before. Long running thread but no definitive answer. Cheers ! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
My concern too Stefan. Before I shell out my hard earned and incur the wrath of SWMBO I want someone to rave about it. Cheers.
 
I think quite a lot of people were attracted by the concept of small-scale hydraulic thrusters - but we all want to see some successful installations before jumping in!

Cheers
Jimmy
 
........before jumping in..

I read a comment from a guy in the States on the Bayliner Owners Forum. He said when he heard how much it costs over here for a bowthruster that "I'll get one of my bozo crew jump over to tow the thing before paying that". /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
The Jet Thrusters have been advertised for quite a while. If they are what they are made out to be, they will be great for single handing eg for holding a boat against a dock while tying up etc. Surely by now there is some feedback from someone?
 
Asked the Willdo guys some questions:

Q1. Does it matter if my installation needs different size hoses...I want to install the unit in the port side aft quarter so all the thrust hoses will be different lengths <<A>>Some more or less length of hose has a minor impact on the thrust force.


Q2. How low in the water should the thrusters be placed? <<A>>We advice to put the 5-10 cm below the waterline


Q3. Do you provide a radio controlled controller for the unit to use when single handed? Perhaps I could use the Vetus radio remote!!? <<A>>Remote control is under development but will take 2-3 months to finalise. Because our system requires potential free contact the Vetus one should work. We do not have any experiences with it.


Q4. Do you have any clients in the United Kingdom who have installed the unit? <<A>>. We have several installations in the UK working. you could contact Fox’s Marina in Ipswich or Sandwich Marina in Sandwich, Kent, contact person over there is Mr. Barry Field.


Q5. Can the water intake be fitted at the rear of the boat? I do not want another through hull fitting that will increase drag and reduce speed...<<A>>There are no objections to put the inlet at the transom of your boat


Q6. Can the thrust hoses be mounted with some vertical height to get over bulkheads and reduce the holes to be cut during installation<<A>> You are free to install the hoses at any position you prefer. Please be aware of airlocks doing this


Q7. Where should the thrusters hoses be fitted....far aft and far forward I assume<<A>>The product of length and force determines the thrust. Increasing the length gives the optimum effect, so please put it as far to bow and stern as possible
 
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