Bow Thruster

[ahmincha]

Hello everyone A friend if mine has a 27' sport craft hard top. It has a single inboard that he has a hard time docking especially in any wind. He wants to put in a bow thruster 7.5" tube. Has anyone any experience with bow thrusters installing and there capabilities Thanks

 

[DeepBlue2010]

Re: Bow Thruster

The job involves precise cutting in the keel toward the bow and glass a tube then insert the electrical motor shaft in the tube, seal it and connecting electrical controls. If your friend is not an experienced fiberglasser, he will be better served using professionals for this job, it is not very hard to do but definatly takes experience and confidence.

On the other hand, 27 is not that hard to dock even with wind once he gets the hang of it. I am only guessing that your friend is a new boater and wants an easy out instead of learning how to dock properly.

I had the same problem with my 28 (overall length is about 30) at first and I looked at the same solution (thrusters) but I insisted on learning how to dock my boat in any weather conditions without help of thrusters first. Honestly, I see (and envy ) skippers in my marina who can maneuver 38s without thrusters in horrible weather conditions (the dual engine and some dual controls are much better to handle than a single outdrive) .

Anyway, it is his call.

 

[ahmincha]

Re: Bow Thruster

Thats the problem DeepBlue2010 he doesn't plan on doing it he wants me to do it I am just learning how to do fiberglass on my own rebuild. I appreciate the response

 

[DeepBlue2010]

Re: Bow Thruster

I wouldn’t take this job if I were you. It could be a huge liability issue if the installation fails and the boat start taking water. Your call

 

[Idlespeedonly]

Re: Bow Thruster

This is why shops carry liability insurance. It is very possible you may able to do a better job than the local guy. But unless you have insurance to back you up if something goes wrong, I wouldnt touch it.

 

[GT1000000]

Re: Bow Thruster

Double ditto to all of the above...^^^^...
Don't do the modification yourself...
AND...
Tell your buddy to learn to dock without it and spend the money he is going to save on practicing his docking, filling the boat up with fuel, munchies, cold beverages, bait and fun boating toys and take you out fishing or skiing or tubing several times a year in payment for giving him some great advice...
Practice will make it better and perfect practice will make it perfect...:watermelon:

 

[bigdirty]

Re: Bow Thruster

Double ditto to all of the above...^^^^...
Don't do the modification yourself...
AND...
Tell your buddy to learn to dock without it and spend the money he is going to save on practicing his docking, filling the boat up with fuel, munchies, cold beverages, bait and fun boating toys and take you out fishing or skiing or tubing several times a year in payment for giving him some great advice...
Practice will make it better and perfect practice will make it perfect...:watermelon:

+1 to all that :lol: My first thought upon reading the op was literally this: '27 foot? Should be no need for a thruster..' but in all honesty I can understand the thinking, if they are a 'new' boater. My old 26 chris craft had a tall cabin, and a hardtop which effectively turned into a SAIL in the wind, as well as just a single drive (omc stringer to boot! ha ha.. get it? boot? anyway...) and there were a few 'near misses' at the dock, as well as complete misses.. as in had to totally turn around or reverse and start over.. :facepalm: My advice is the same as has been posted... perhaps time learning the boat would be a better investment? (or sell it and buy something with twins?) :laugh:

By about month into that season I could bring the chris in by myself, no one catching on the dock, back it into spots with other boats just a foot away, ect.. I learned to 'see' the waves/wind and where they would push the boat, and GO SLOW! :lol: 99% of the time there is no need to even touch the throttle while docking/maneuvering in a marina IMO. Prop walk can be an issue as well, and work for or against you depending on what side hes docking on, but I have seen some BIG boats with singles actually go past their dock on a regular basis, on purpose, to turn around and use the prop walk to their advantage when docking.. Or just put it in neutral and use the outdrive as a rudder (yes, this works quite well in some cases) actually, there are plenty of good vids on you tube on 'how to dock your boat' that might be time well spent...

 

[kahuna123]

Re: Bow Thruster

Adding another "stick to control" to one that's already a problem isn't going to work. I had a 26 inboard single screw I put anywhere. Then my twin 33 inboards was almost silly to back into a slip. I watched a 13 year old back a 40 hatteras out of the yard and between two rows of high dollar boats 50 yards to open channel in a good side current. Grandpa and Dad were sitting in the cockpit having a conversation and never looked up. Its not hard if you practice. That doesn't mean on Sunday afternoon with a full boat.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Bow Thruster

have him look at sideshift.com and bolt-on one of their bow thrusters

 

[ahmincha]

Re: Bow Thruster

Thanks everyone that replied I agree with you guys Just wanted to confirm what I was thinking and who better to ask Thanks again

 

[ahmincha]

Re: Bow Thruster

Well my friend did not take our advise and cut in the bow thruster I guess he figured if he cut the hole I would have to help him.
My plan is to give him some advice on how to glass in the tube and would appreciate any help you guy's can give
My thoughts from what I have read is to grind around tube to fresh glass then pb the tube in then 1708 over that My question is should I try to glass into the tube or just up to the edge of it

 

[zool]

Re: Bow Thruster

After the tube is glassed in and cured, I would try to rig up a set of earmuffs and a hose to it, and test it under pressure....check in the hull for leaks.

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: Bow Thruster

My question is should I try to glass into the tube or just up to the edge of it

If you don't wrap the glass into the tube, it won't have much 'grab' on the edge of the tube.

A 7.5" thruster tube like this 1:

Just like hull damage that requires inside & outside glass work, you need 100% access to the inside of the boat around that cylinder to adequately glass it to the hull.

Just because they cut a hole DOESN'T mean you have to help fix it. Esp if they are going to hold you responsible if it doesn't work right/leaks/etc.....

Good luck

 

[zool]

Re: Bow Thruster

The install should look like this...

WEST SYSTEM | Projects | Fiberglass Boat Repair and Restoration - Installing a bow thruster

epoxy would be a good choice, imo

Heres another more comprehensive look at a nice install with poly.

http://www.customboatrepairs.com/jm...ter-installation&catid=2:repair-jobs&Itemid=4

 

[ahmincha]

Re: Bow Thruster

Yes jb thats the tube and I know I don't have to help him but you know how that goes . I am not worried about the responsibility issue he will be there to help and knows I am a beginner at this. Yes there is access to the inside probably a little tight around the bottom
Thanks Zool for the links the poly one seems like they only pb the outside didn't seem like they went into the tube unless I am missing it

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: Bow Thruster

Thanks Zool for the links the poly one seems like they only pb the outside didn't seem like they went into the tube unless I am missing it

Read thru the info again, specifically #5:

5. Reinforcing fabric is applied to the exterior of the the joint. The fabric extends from the edge of the bevel (around the exterior hull) to the inner surface of the thruster tube.

And they used PB around the inner surface of the hull to the exterior of the tube. Has to be filleted, or the glass won't roll down from the hull to the tube.....

I meant if the task at hand seemed to be more then you think you CAN do & do good enough to be a safe, long lasting 'repair':

I know I don't have to help him but you know how that goes

 

[ahmincha]

Re: Bow Thruster

I got ya jb I figured I was going to do the glassin on mine and see how well it comes out and if I feel comfortable doing this or not
I was talking about the second link that zool posted It is not specific it just looks like the outside is only pb

 

[zool]

Re: Bow Thruster

In the epoxy link, they wrap the cloth into the tube, but do a minimal repair to the inside, and that wont work if you plan to use gel coat. That one used antifouling paint.

In the Poly link, they do a minimal exterior repair, but extensive glassin insideg, creating the cofferdam under the laminates, an air space to encapsulate any leak.

The epoxy method they use is more forgiving to perform, but also riskier.

If you chose to wrap cloth into the tube, it will require a good amount of fairing to get right.

I would do the poly method, but with epoxy

 

[ahmincha]

Re: Bow Thruster

Well I pb ed the tube in . Where he chit the tube in was in the very front of the hull between a bulk head and the bow with a drain hole to the bildg. So I mixed up a few extra hairy pb and pb ed the whole underside front and rear solid . Now I plan on putting a layer of 1708 over it for more strengh. I took pics but they did not come out good will post pics tomorrow.

 

[JASinIL2006]

Re: Bow Thruster

Well I pb ed the tube in . Where he chit the tube in was in the very front of the hull between a bulk head and the bow with a drain hole to the bildg. So I mixed up a few extra hairy pb and pb ed the whole underside front and rear solid . Now I plan on putting a layer of 1708 over it for more strengh. I took pics but they did not come out good will post pics tomorrow.

Man, you're out of control! Between this project and the great work you're doing on your boat, you're becoming one of those guys who does fiberglassing for enjoyment! If we read next week that you bought an old junker boat to restore "as my next project", we're going to have to hold an intervention for you...



Jim