bow thruster

[CaptNHahn]

I want to put a bow thruster on my Ranger Tug 21 EC. Can I buy the right one from the factory and have it installed here in N.C.? Can you recommend an installer that would cover the warranty?

Captain Nancy Hahn

 

[Levitation]

Call the factory about purchasing the thruster/solenoid/switch/tinned wire/battery cable/heat shrink/AMP connectors/fuse holder/etc.. (it is always more complicated and expensive than it looks)

The installer and thee will have to have an agreement about warranty for his work...

Warranty on the thruster motor will be through the manufacturer of the thruster, most likely...

cheers

 

[walldog]

I want to put a bow thruster on my Ranger Tug 21 EC. Can I buy the right one from the factory and have it installed here in N.C.? Can you recommend an installer that would cover the warranty?

Captain Nancy Hahn

When I was considering an EC, I was told by a respected member of this forum that it would not be practical to retrofit bow thrusters.

 

[Portugeezer]

http://www.sideshift.com/

I found this site quite intriguing and thought this external approach would be viable. Like the ad says: it does not break the integrity of the hull and so is cheaper to install and does not affect drag. My R21 has a factory-installed bow thruster, so I didn't get too involved looking at it. Be my guest. I do like having the feature.

 

[thataway]

It will cost considerably more than the factory option. There are several manufactures of bow thrusters: side power and Vetus are well respected. You can use a small unit. I Would suggest a company which specifically installs then, such as Florida Bow Thrusters. The tunnel geometry is difficult to cut. As Denny notes there are many parts to install and access may be difficult. I have thrusters retrofitted and it is possible in almost any boat. However in some interior furniture modifications may be necessary; such as raising the V berth.

Bob Austin

 

[abcandjrc]

Rather disquieting to see a guy with a v-hull and twin screws needing a thruster in that Sideshift pitch. Our Atlantic 44 had a pretty deep keel and I never could make it go sideways. It would just sit there, balanced but not moving. But it would do all the rest of what he was crediting to the thruster with no problem. We have one guy in the area with a 45' Hatteras that loves to take it the entire length of the marina sideways. I think he could do it in a 50' fairway on a still day. It's a matter of thrust and rudder position and lots and lots of practice.

Then again, one time we watched a guy with twins and a thruster unable to lay alongside a "T" pier in Titusville, Florida, in maybe 10 knots of wind. Obviously gear alone does not make a boatman.

Not to deny a thruster isn't kind of handy on a single screw boat. I expect I will prang our thrusterless 21 occasionally when I misread tide and wind, but that is why I bought plenty of fenders. 🙁

 

[Andrew Custis]

Bob and Denny have put this very well. It does take some skill to install one and needs to be the right person to do so. You are having a 4" hole cut in the bow which could create an issue if not done right. I have had many inquiries about install and it just isn't something we try and get involved in. We have the mark built into the mold on the new R25SC and R27 but not the R21 which now makes it a no brainer. It will be necessary to build up the glass to create a deflector to prevent the thruster from cavitating. This job can be done and would be best to purchase from a Side Power or Vetus installer as they can warranty this. I have used US Thruster as they seem quite capable. http://www.usthrusters.com

We use a model SE30 Side Power for the bow on the R21. Feel free to email me direct if you have any other questions. Happy New Year!

 

[abcandjrc]

It slipped my mind on my earlier post, but there is another solution to thrusters which is not very practical on our tugs (?maybe as a stern thruster?). It might be of interest for other boats you own or to suggest to friend if they have a suitable boat.

When we lived aboard in Titusville there was a fellow with a moderate-sized outboard-powered houseboat across the pier from us. With all the windage of the house and with an outboard having no steering value to speak of when the prop is not turning, he had trouble getting into his rather tight slip in even light crosswinds. He was pretty frustrated.

I thought about it a bit and suggested that he get an electric trolling motor and install it over the bow as a thruster. He installed the battery on the deck in a battery box and ran the controls to the area of his wheel. To enter or exit his slip he would lower the motor with the prop shaft in a port/starboard orientation. Then he used it in forward or reverse to supply side thrust. It worked like a charm.