Thruster change/upgrade

[Steener]

Thinking about upgrading the thrusters from the side power se 30s to the side power se 40s. Has anyone upgraded on the thrusters? How did it go? What change was made ? Thanks.

 

[knotflying]

You may have to get a battery with more CCA. Are your current thrusters shot? Seems like a lot of work and money for a marginal crease in thrust.

 

[Steener]

No. Thrusters work but Marina on ice and thrusters do not help when docking. Can not alway dock during slack tide. Upgrades would be approx $5,000. Just wanted to know if anyone has upgraded since Se30s are rated 20 to 28 foot boats and se 40s rated for 26 to 34 foot boats.

Just thinking about it at this time and wanted to see if anyone else had upgraded.

Thanks

Joel

 

[knotflying]

Someone else’s experience would be good to hear because the specs don’t show a significant additional thrust, so it would be a shame to go through the expense with a small increase in performance. Maybe a better situated marina would be a consideration.

 

[Steener]

That is what I was hoping for. An owner that had replaced their thrusters due to age and damage and learning from their experience. The do’s and don’t, brand and size.

It is just hard to believe no one has replaced their thrusters in all these years.

Thanks for your opinion and thoughts.

 

[ixlr8]

To get a meaningful thrust increase, the thruster has to be larger in diameter. That is a lot of work, $$$$, to install. In some cases there is just no room to install a larger diameter thruster and keep it far enough below the water line to work correctly.

 

[rackline]

We keep our boat in a tidal river with very strong currents. The thrusters are ineffective when the tide is running forcing us to use old school docking procedures and springing off rather than using the thrusters. A bit larger rudder would certainly help and probably a lot less money.