Jet thruster

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   Very interesting thread. I fitted the MaxiPower Retractable several years ago because my installer and I could not find a way to install a Vetus Thruster. I had orignially purchased the Vetus and consulted with my local dealer and they agreed that the Vetus could not be mounted in my 370. Since the hull bottom was so close to the water line, there was not the recommended 6 inch minumum distance between water line and tunnel. Ian, I would really like to see a picture of your installation if you have one. The MaxiPower solution was very expensive and your price sounds great I think (not sure about conversion rate to dollar???). I would question the thrust capability of the jet vs the impeller though. I do not see how that would work. It would be nice to see a comparison at a trade show. Regarding the max 4 minutes to overhead, this is also an issue with the tunnel/retractable thrusters. All that I looked at had overtemp curcuits and thermal shutdowns with 3-4 minute suggested operation periods. In 4 minutes I could do several 360's with my boat. I have never used the thruster for more than ~15 seconds in practical use.

Mike
Stella Maris 370e#166

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lukemi Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Commadore Joined: 06 February 2007 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 439	Post Options Post Reply Quote lukemi Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 15 November 2011 at 15:04
	Very interesting thread. I fitted the MaxiPower Retractable several years ago because my installer and I could not find a way to install a Vetus Thruster. I had orignially purchased the Vetus and consulted with my local dealer and they agreed that the Vetus could not be mounted in my 370. Since the hull bottom was so close to the water line, there was not the recommended 6 inch minumum distance between water line and tunnel. Ian, I would really like to see a picture of your installation if you have one. The MaxiPower solution was very expensive and your price sounds great I think (not sure about conversion rate to dollar???). I would question the thrust capability of the jet vs the impeller though. I do not see how that would work. It would be nice to see a comparison at a trade show. Regarding the max 4 minutes to overhead, this is also an issue with the tunnel/retractable thrusters. All that I looked at had overtemp curcuits and thermal shutdowns with 3-4 minute suggested operation periods. In 4 minutes I could do several 360's with my boat. I have never used the thruster for more than ~15 seconds in practical use. Mike Stella Maris 370e#166

Ian Robinson Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Captain Joined: 24 November 2005 Location: Essex UK Status: Offline Points: 246	Post Options Post Reply Quote Ian Robinson Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 15 November 2011 at 19:25
	Hello Mike, The photographs are not too good, but hopefully satisfactory. The boatyard I employed (Fox's on the River Orwell) are the local experts and they had no doubt that the Vetus 60kg was the correct unit for my 370. Vetus thrusters have a slightly smaller tunnel diameter at 187mm than I think others (around 204mm). As you can see the tunnel is properly submerged and I have had no issues with the thruster, which I used quite a bit whilst on a 2 month cruise in Dutch waters over the summer. In US dollars I think the cost would be about $6,800. The scapes you can see on my hull are unfortunately part of the result of my hitting a buoy in Dutch waters this year. After hitting the buoy at 6 knots head on I was surprised at how little damage was caused. The 370 has a very strong bow. Regards Ian
	Ostara a 370#88

Ian Robinson Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Captain Joined: 24 November 2005 Location: Essex UK Status: Offline Points: 246	Post Options Post Reply Quote Ian Robinson Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 11 December 2011 at 17:12
	Hello Silvest, I hope the following photographs are helpful. Regards Ian
	Ostara a 370#88

silvest Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Lieutenant Commander Joined: 15 March 2008 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 63	Post Options Post Reply Quote silvest Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 12 December 2011 at 13:24
	Hi Ian Thank you forthe Photos I think I have made my mind up and I am going to fit the Lewmar 185TT 5.3 hp with 65kgf regards Silvest
	silvest

silvest Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Lieutenant Commander Joined: 15 March 2008 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 63	Post Options Post Reply Quote silvest Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 30 January 2012 at 19:11
	I have looked into the jet thruster and I think it is a none runner so I have decided on a bow thruster, I am going to fit a Lewmar 185TT5.0KW 12v with a 185 tunnel which will give a 82 kgf thrust I am going to fit a joystick panel control,and a new battery. I have cut the access out today where the unit is going my next job is to fit timber supports to the cutout so that the trap will sit into the new opening and make a trap over the bow truster, then grind off the gell coat so when we fit the tube we can bond it in,which will be done when my boat comes out on the 8th Feb Silvest
	silvest

Ian Robinson Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Captain Joined: 24 November 2005 Location: Essex UK Status: Offline Points: 246	Post Options Post Reply Quote Ian Robinson Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 11 February 2012 at 10:08
	Hi Silvest, It will be good to hear how you are getting on. With 82kgf of thrust you will be able to shift the planet on its axis. I did briefly think about installing my thruster myself, but I was too cowardly to do it. The thought of accurately cutting such a big holes made me weak at the knees!! I went on holiday to Italy for 3 weeks instead and when I returned my thruster was fitted and working. Regards Ian
	Ostara a 370#88

silvest Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Lieutenant Commander Joined: 15 March 2008 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 63	Post Options Post Reply Quote silvest Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 11 February 2012 at 16:13
	Hi Ian My boat came out on the 8th and as I said I have cut the bunk top ready my next Item to do is to grind off all the gel coat so that we can bond OK. I am waiting for the delivery of the tube before we mark and cut the hole, I do have a mate who is going to cut and bond in the tube and I am going to work with him and then I will run the cables and fit the unit, I am thinking of fitting 2 batteries in the locker the other side of the chart table ( 2 x 100 amp) but I will wait to see if I can get a battery where your battery is situated. I am keeping a record of the work with Photos which I hope to post when complete. Silvest.
	silvest

silvest Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Lieutenant Commander Joined: 15 March 2008 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 63	Post Options Post Reply Quote silvest Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 19 February 2012 at 07:05
	Hi I have finally got all the parts the tube came on Friday, I have got the battery fitted in the locker next to chart table one 130amp, and have run the cable for the joy stick back to the cockpit, haven't decided where to fit joy stick. Monday we are starting the cut out for the tube. Regards silvest
	silvest

holby Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admiral of the Fleet Joined: 18 February 2006 Location: Isle of Man Status: Offline Points: 2287	Post Options Post Reply Quote holby Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 19 February 2012 at 08:48
	Good luck with cutting the hole, make sure it is in the right place!
	Hanse 301, tiller steering, Volvo 2010 (10hp)

silvest Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Lieutenant Commander Joined: 15 March 2008 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 63	Post Options Post Reply Quote silvest Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 19 February 2012 at 16:34
	Hi I have just come back from the boat,I have been running the joy stick cable what a job I could no get it in the conduit because of the end fitting on the cable so I had to run it along side the conduit, I used a length of hep o2 pipe as a pull but I had to put an access hatch under the cupboard in the port aft cabin but it is all in. Silvest
	silvest



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