Thrusters

larryeddington · Post by **larryeddington** » Tue Dec 04, 2012 7:31 pm

Anyone have experience with this type thruster:

http://www.jetthrusters.com/combi.html

Big D · Post by **Big D** » Tue Dec 04, 2012 9:41 pm

I'm in the process of putting a package together for an install (24 volt unit). All I can say is "very expensive". It seems that where you save on a bow thruster tube install, you make up for it in hardware. IMO, it would be a last resort only if a tranditional unit couldn't be installed. This technology has come a long way. Did some research about 5 years ago, and I didn't like what I found but these units now are impressive. Very heavy duty unit including the fittings. If I recall, it's a 4" intake for the unit I may be installing!

~DarkNemesis~ · Post by **~DarkNemesis~** » Tue Dec 04, 2012 11:14 pm

you guys should refer back to the thrusters post I made months ago.. I beleave the topic of thrusters period went against me. Ill be interseted to see how this topic moves forward considering what I have already read in just 1 comment

lawyerdave71 · Post by **lawyerdave71** » Wed Dec 05, 2012 8:21 am

I say very interesting product. Installation doesn't look that difficult.

But, I bet the price tag is hefty.

You would need big jet motors to move our Trojans.

larryeddington · Post by **larryeddington** » Wed Dec 05, 2012 8:40 am

Thanks, was just wondering about them.

Allen Sr · Post by **Allen Sr** » Wed Dec 05, 2012 8:46 am

Two questions come to mind........1) How much of a PITA is it to winterize?

....2) How much antifreeze to winterize for us not so far south folks?

Big D · Post by **Big D** » Wed Dec 05, 2012 7:17 pm

lawyerdave71 wrote:...You would need big jet motors to move our Trojans.

Dave, I have seen these close and personal, trust me, one of these pumps will move any Trojan that I can think of.

Big D · Post by **Big D** » Wed Dec 05, 2012 7:37 pm

Allen Sr wrote:....How much of a PITA is it to winterize?...

In a proper installation, the lines would be self draining, and the only thing left to winterize would be to drain the pump, and a little creativity would make it a synch to add antifreeze to the pump. Having said that, I agree that it may not be possible in all installations for hose runs to self drain, and one would have to make that determination at winterizing time.

I'm not trying to defend or promote these things but they do have their place in applications that prevent tradditional thruster installation. Hey anything we add that operates with water would need winterizing; icemaker, raw water washdown, dockside water inlet, washer/dryer, winshield washer.... While I hate winterizing, I'd love to have one of these given that I haven't found a way to glass in a bow thruster tube yet

Not that I need thrusters to get around but I like turning heads

gettaway · Post by **gettaway** » Wed Dec 05, 2012 7:39 pm

that is a great idea, kind of looks like a good pool pump and valves, I would guess that this would cost less than a bow and stern thruster but then again...

lawyerdave71 · Post by **lawyerdave71** » Wed Dec 05, 2012 7:42 pm

Well Big D - I saw the layout and I love them.

I can certainly fit one in my bow BUT its the cost??????? What $3k on a 78 F30??? I'd be lucky to sell it for $7,500.

Plus a true navigator would not need a thruster! I am not a true navigator!

Only once did I have the boat parrallel parked in the slip this year!!!

I am bow in at the slip - I should be stern in but I dont want the sun in the afternoon - its called skin cancer! If I was stern in, I think I would have more control getting out. I am at one of those docks were every dock box is a 24 hour bar! Its hard getting the thing out (of course sober) of the slip bow in - I am really gonna have to rev up on the gas to get the Trojan out of the slip next year. Everytime I leave the dock there is this 50 foot sea ray owner behind me who turns white and poos his pants!!! BUT I have never hit him! I have been close enough to see the stress cracks on his stern thou!!!

Meaning when I leave the dock - I throw the enginese in reverse in idle and the wind cathces me and then its all hands on deck to prevent me from crashing in to the sailboad to my right!

I have sort of capped myself on what I want to spend on my F30 - shes a beauty and I can spend lots and lots making her better.

But everytime I want to spend money I say to myself no no no spend it on the F36!!!!! Or on one of them wide international metric beauties!!!!

BTW, did you all notice I became a forum suporter. BTW Beacon Marine has new parts available!!!!!

larryeddington · Post by **larryeddington** » Wed Dec 05, 2012 7:43 pm

Here is another type of thruster, comments or experience?

http://www.yachtthruster.com/

It is made in Germany so Heiner might be familiar?

prowlersfish · Post by **prowlersfish** » Wed Dec 05, 2012 7:45 pm

Big D you said self draining ,are the jets above the water Line ? Great info BTW

lawyerdave71 · Post by **lawyerdave71** » Wed Dec 05, 2012 7:49 pm

Bid D is right - U disconnect the hoses and just winterize the pump!

My entire F30 boat is done on one gallon. I try and tell people how to do it at my marina but no one listens and they wind up using 15 gallons. I think it has something to do with that 24 hour dock box bar!

prowlersfish · Post by **prowlersfish** » Wed Dec 05, 2012 7:59 pm

Congrats on being a supporter , Must have won a big case

Big D · Post by **Big D** » Wed Dec 05, 2012 8:13 pm

prowlersfish wrote:Big D you said self draining ,are the jets above the water Line ? Great info BTW

Ports are below the water line and would drain when vessel is hauled out for the winter. Yes that's right Paul, we have to get hauled out for the winter, and if you tease us about that I'll have to tell you how much I hate you