They don't remove the floor they just cut an opening in the floor do the installation then install a hatch similar to this and you can used the carpet they remove to cover the hatch
I'm not knocking anyone who wants a bowthruster, but personally I wouldn't want one on my small cruiser. Frankly I don't need anything else below the waterline that can present problems with a boat that is full time in a slip, and I don't even own a trailer. I worry enough about the seacocks!
@andyd, I respect that you do not need/want a bow thruster. I have seen two installed - actually seen one happen (being cut) and the other just prior to re gel coating. The work was amazing and from what I saw if there was a hull fail it would be anywhere but there as the reinforcement was amazing.
My other concern is fouling. I have to chip off hard marine growth on my trim tabs every few weeks to keep them from hanging up. I can only imagine how difficult it must be to keep that hole through the hull and the wee prop from getting fouled. Anyone with a thruster equipped boat that sits in seawater full time and has a different take on this I'd love to hear it.
What do all of the guys in the southern U.S. Florida/Texas etc. do to control barnacle growth on their thrusters? Do they use one of the anti-fouling coatings that are available? I say this because when looking on the various boat selling sites like Yachtworld or the dealer sites any of the boats over 40 feet seem to have either pods with Axius type guidance systems or some sort of combined aft and stern thruster system, like Dock Assist.
I am seriously considering putting a bow thruster in my 2002 FV270. Thinking about having the hole and glass-work professionally done and I will do the wiring/control installation myself. I live on Long Island and I'm going to try and find someone reputable to do the work. Having a bow thruster would take a ton of stress out of backing into crowded slips and marinas...
A real gel coat saver. A friend who had one done said it was the best money her ever spent on his boat. He had it done at Hurst Marine www.hurstmarine.com They have a video on their web site of them drilling through a hull. When they are done (I've seen two that they have done) you'd swear it was o.e.m. I hear the "sidethrusters" add on product works fine for less money (as long as there isn't a really stiff breeze) I just don't like the look of them.
that would be sweet to have.....I was in pretty bad weather past summer on west coast of Fl and got banged up pretty good docking- not much you can do about it sometimes and I don't know that a thruster even would have helped, it was really blowing! But, I had to get back in as the weather wan only going to get worse and it sure did.....
Ras, a properly sized bow thruster (internal type) will be effective right up to weather no one should be out in. I have heard that the add-on thrusters are great for non windy days but not nearly as effective when they are loaded against wind.
Comments
Thanks
But where is it placed under the table floor?
Have to remove the floor .:(
and you can used the carpet they remove to cover the hatch
Andy
Andy
We are in a lake called vänern in sweden.
No saltwater here
Boat Name: King Kong
"Boat + Water = Fun"
Andy