Stern Thruster
Printed From: myHanse.com
Category: Hints & Tips
Forum Name: 415/418
Forum Description: 415/418 Hints, Tips and News
URL: https://www.myhanse.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=15240
Printed Date: 27 March 2026 at 03:41
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.06 - https://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Stern Thruster
Posted By: docnortham
Subject: Stern Thruster
Date Posted: 04 July 2025 at 20:43
| Has anybody added a stern thruster to a 418? If so, any details will be appreciated. |
Replies:
Posted By: Arcadia
Date Posted: 04 July 2025 at 22:03
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I have had the use of a stern thruster for 8 years now with lots of docking experience. I can tell you that it has minimal usefulness. I ordered it new as a package thinking like you are that it would make life easier around the docks. For several reasons including power, location and the fact that it has to fight the rudder means it won’t budge the stern in anything more than 5 knots. The idea that it will slide your boat sideways in a breeze just does not happen.
------------- Leon / ARCADIA 2018 Hanse 588 Sag Harbor, NY |
Posted By: marsella
Date Posted: 04 July 2025 at 22:13
| It goes under berth in port cabin together with the batteries. I just competed its setup for my 458 but there is another thread in 385/388 where some detials and pics can be found. As far as which exactly thruster fits, you have to measure. I fitted Sleipner SRL100/185T24V (and SRV100/185T24V for the bow) but 385 fits the models one step down I remember. 418 is in between. There are also Quick thrusters with slightly different dimensions. |
Posted By: marsella
Date Posted: 04 July 2025 at 22:16
Here is the pic how it fits |
Posted By: marsella
Date Posted: 04 July 2025 at 22:23
Remains to be seen in my case, I have no experience but after a couple of rough dockings I thought I invest because if I hit some Jeff Bezos yacht its gona cost me a lot more than those thrusters.
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Arcadia wrote:Posted By: Arcadia
Date Posted: 04 July 2025 at 22:37
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I don’t bother with it anymore. The 588 catches a lot of wind so my strategy is this. When the wind is blowing me off dock, I get as close as I can with the bow thruster, get a stern line on as short as possible, then as the bow gets blown off, gently bring it in and tie up. With wind blowing on, just use the bow thruster to keep the boat parallel to the dock and simply come along side, When docking stern to, the technique is the same. Windward stern line first. Also, when backing down, I keep the rudder midship and use the bow thruster to steer. Much more control at low speeds. ------------- Leon / ARCADIA 2018 Hanse 588 Sag Harbor, NY |
Posted By: marsella
Date Posted: 04 July 2025 at 23:14
Most of my docking is backing and squeezing between two boats in cross wind. The most interesting part starts when you are half way in between with no space in maneuvering. Fenders and the owners of those boats left and right of me help a lot
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