Bowthrusters...going to bite the bullet

[rsmith]

18' beam, 8' longer, full displacement (we draw 5.5'), thicker hull, 2400 gallons of fuel, 400 water, 200 waste....
Not to mention all the stuff that's been added over the years.
It all adds up.

Thats incredible. If I had your boat I'd be checking the date codes on the travel lift straps.

 

[Mailman]

I have a Vetus, courtesy of a PO. It is a 24volt with it's own set of 8D batteries mounted in the generator room very near the thruster, and 4/0 cable is needed as the amp draw is huge, I believe mine is 300. They have all the specs and battery requirements on line. So using your house bank and running large enough cable all the way up there is going to be a challenge. Vetus/Florida Bow Thruster (their US distributor) have a big facility here in Morehead City, not far from you.

We don't use ours a lot, but it is certainly nice to have in certain situations. Make sure your diver keeps it clean. Also, you will lose space in your forward bilge. Not sure what the implications are on a 58LRC, but on my 56MY, it means someone my size (6'2", 210#) cannot fit down there to replace or service the bilge pump system and forward sump. A more normal or skinnier person yes. I have been trying to find someone who can do it for about three weeks now. Not good!

Maybe get a sixth grader to lend a hand

mailman

 

[wsdemmer]

I clean my thruster once a month. This last month I had more barnicles on the hub than the blades. My Hatteras is 74' and weighs 60 tons. The Vetus 24volt 628 lb thrust really moves the boat when I need it. Good luck with your install.

 

[mr hatt]

Our bow thruster (24 volt vetus) which is jumped to the third battery in our 32 volt system is in its 4th season and the batteries haven't given us any problems whatsoever. I would do it the same way if I were installing an electric bow thruster again. I would however seriously consider a hydraulic unit if the price want too crazy.

 

[Diver Down]

Jeff, we have the Vetus 160 iin our 58YF. It's 24V and a good size (10") for this boat. Great system.

 

[OBXTucker]

OK, so Florida BowThrusters it is! Got off the phone with them, already received a written (all in) price and they can install in the next 2 weeks.

All I need now is a boat yard that will haul her and allow outside contractors. Prefer something south of Solomans and north of Portsmouth. Obviously the yard will gat the haul revenue + I'll have them clean the hull and install a new transducer for me...maybe a few small other things too.

Any recommendations would be appreciated! Please PM me if you have specific contacts/phone numbers....

 

[OBXTucker]

Pulled the trigger on the Vetus Bow285, which is the 48v, 628lbs of thrust.
Install next week, pictures to follow!
Went with my current yard for the install. Very competitive, after a little negotiating.

 

[OBXTucker]

Update w/ photos

Well, Irene put a damper on the install, but the yard is well on it's way. Should be finished by the middle of next week.

This is from outside, looking up into the v-berth bilge area.

I was impressed at the thickness of the hull that high up the side and the fact the glass has held
up this well after 33 years. Very little paint build up and the gelcoat is in great shape.

 

[OBXTucker]

A couple more:

Electrical is for the most part complete. Wiring is pulled from the Engine Room, Fly Bridge and Pilothouse to the forward bilge. 4 AGM Group 31's are in place and being charged by a Xantrex.