I'm wanting to install a bow thruster on a Caliber 40 sailboat.
Can those with thrusters give me some info.

I'm trying to determine, size I would be happy with. And some installation
info.

Size:
Typical use here is single handing the boat and need help docking. No
current, but may have 10-15 knot crosswind.

Install info:
What size and how long is the cable run on your boat? Do you know the
current draw of your unit?
I currently have 1/0 cable running up for the windless. Since both would
never be used at the same time, I plan to T off this cable if it will carry
the current.

Thanks for any thoughts on this.



T.O. Galloway

T.O. wrote:
I'm wanting to install a bow thruster on a Caliber 40 sailboat.
Can those with thrusters give me some info.


I don't have one... yet... but have been gathering info with the plan of
putting one into our 36' trawler.


Size:
Typical use here is single handing the boat and need help docking. No
current, but may have 10-15 knot crosswind.


Well, the real size limits are what you can physically install in the
boat. Remember you have to put the tube in well below the waterline, at
point where the hull is wide enough, and yet still far enough forward to
gain enough leverage. Get the detailed dimensions of units you're
considering and figure out whether or not you can use that one or if you
have to go down one size.

You may want to consider a retractable thruster. A bit more $$, but you
can put in a more powerful one since the prop deploys lower than the
hull and there's much less of a hit on sailing performance.


Install info:
What size and how long is the cable run on your boat? Do you know the
current draw of your unit?

The smallest Vetus pulls 3KW or 250A/12V. You can get a relay to convert
12V to 24V, that will reduce the amp draw.

I currently have 1/0 cable running up for the windless. Since both would
never be used at the same time, I plan to T off this cable if it will carry
the current.


Since it's a short running DC motor that doesn't have to worry about
high starting load, figure it for 5% voltage drop. The table in the back
of my handy-dandy reference says you can run 200A about 16' on 1/0 cable
with a 5% drop. Remember you have to include the ground leg, the current
has to go there & back!

This is one reason why so many people put an extra battery up forward
for the windlass and/or bow thruster. But then you open a different can
o' worms keeping it charged

Fresh Breezes- Doug King

T.O. wrote:

I'm wanting to install a bow thruster on a Caliber 40 sailboat.
Can those with thrusters give me some info.

Cut to the chase, talk to Wesmar in Seattle.

They have a very nice hydraulic unit I will be using.

Lew

Yea, I finally got a phone number for an old friend I haven't talked to in
years that installed a Wesmar on a sister boat.

What do you know about these folks as far as service, reliability of
products, etc. It looks like they have their own line of thrusters?....

Still looking for input from someone as far as their personal experience
with thruster size vs boat size.

Thanks all.

T.O.



"Lew Hodgett" wrote in message
link.net...
T.O. wrote:

I'm wanting to install a bow thruster on a Caliber 40 sailboat.
Can those with thrusters give me some info.

Cut to the chase, talk to Wesmar in Seattle.

They have a very nice hydraulic unit I will be using.

Lew

T.O. wrote:
Yea, I finally got a phone number for an old friend I haven't talked to in
years that installed a Wesmar on a sister boat.

What do you know about these folks as far as service, reliability of
products, etc. It looks like they have their own line of thrusters?....


They service the commercial market in Seattle.

If they were no good, they would have been out of business a long time ago.

Lew

There is only one size for a thruster, bigger.

Due to various installation constraints, very few vessels can
accommodate a thruster large enough to be useful when you really need
it. It will be a convenience when you could manage without it but
won't have the umph to bail you out of a tough docking situation.

Figure out what the constraints are and then put in the biggest and
most powerful one you can. Note that any tunnel thruster large enough
to be worth paying for will create a lot of drag on a sailboat. They
don't go straight through the water when beating to windward and the
pressure differential will cause cross flow. Water flow in the bow of
a boat is very laminar and anything that creates disruption will
create a lot more drag than if it was farther aft.

--

Roger Long

After a lot of research, I chose Wesmar and am very happy with it. They
now make a line of continuous duty electrics... that's what I'd
recommend. I put batteries for the thruster close to it along with a
charger. You could easily run wires from a remote charger to those
batteries... it's easier than trying to run all that big heavy cable a
long way.

"Roger Long" wrote in
:

very few vessels can
accommodate a thruster large enough to be useful

Hee hee....I just had a picture of a 40' sloop with twin Z drives off of a
tugboat, fore and aft....

That'll hold the damned thing steady against the dock until we get the
lines secured....(c;

Will the neighbors notice the 12 cylinder MTUs on the bow and stern??...(c;

--
Larry

You know you've had a rough night when you wake up and you're outlined in
chalk.

Try again.

We have the largest 24v Vetus made and it will not push the boat of the dock
in anything over 15 knots. Sailboats have lot's of windage. We use the
main engine and spring off the dock when we are pinned by a beam breeze.

We very much like the bow thruster but do not pretend it can move the bow
anywhere we want when the breeze is up.

Good luck,

Bryan

"T.O." wrote in message
...
I'm wanting to install a bow thruster on a Caliber 40 sailboat.
Can those with thrusters give me some info.

I'm trying to determine, size I would be happy with. And some installation
info.

Size:
Typical use here is single handing the boat and need help docking. No
current, but may have 10-15 knot crosswind.

Install info:
What size and how long is the cable run on your boat? Do you know the
current draw of your unit?
I currently have 1/0 cable running up for the windless. Since both would
never be used at the same time, I plan to T off this cable if it will
carry the current.

Thanks for any thoughts on this.



T.O. Galloway