385/388 - Bow thruster

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Bow thruster

Printed From: myHanse.com
Category: Hints & Tips
Forum Name: 385/388
Forum Description: 385/388 Hints, Tips and News
URL: https://www.myhanse.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=15336
Printed Date: 26 March 2026 at 21:48
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.06 - https://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: Bow thruster

Posted By: berberan
Subject: Bow thruster
Date Posted: 25 August 2025 at 21:22

Good day. Has anyone installed a tunnel bow thruster on a 388?

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Antonio Berberan

Replies:

Posted By: AndyS
Date Posted: 26 August 2025 at 02:48

I have not, but we did install a YachtThruster (Simplex Thruster) pod on our 385 and it is great. You can place it more forward on the hull which makes it even more effective than a tunnel thruster in my opinion. I highly recommend these, and all you need are three small holes in the hull.

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Andy
Moonraker
River Dunes, NC

Posted By: berberan
Date Posted: 09 March 2026 at 18:04

Thank you for your comment and sorry for my late reply. The installer said that the external bow thruster couldn't be installed on my boat because of the system dimensions versus the available space. He suggested the SE100 tunnel bow/stern thruster 12V which he has already started installing. What is the power of your bow thruster and what are the basic electrical specifications (wire dimensions connecting to the batteries, number of batteries, fuse, etc.)? António

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Antonio Berberan

Posted By: AndyS
Date Posted: 10 March 2026 at 10:40

Antonio:
I did not install it myself, but rather had the boat yard do it. I can tell you that it is 24 volts and we have two 12 volt batteries forward of the water tank that power it. We have a DC to DC charger that keeps the batteries topped off. I am not sure what gauge wire was used but it seems like a robust system. I hope your install turns out as well as ours!

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Andy
Moonraker
River Dunes, NC

Posted By: berberan
Date Posted: 10 March 2026 at 11:07

Hi Andy, thanks for your reply. From what I've read in the relevant literature, you have a system that's more advisable than mine: dedicated batteries near the 24V bow thruster! In my case, it's a 12V bow thruster and the batteries aren't dedicated, they're two service batteries (AGM 12V 165Ah from Victron Energy) located 3.5 meters away. I was worried about the size of the cables connecting the bow thruster to the batteries, but the installer has already informed me that he'll use not one but two 50mm² cables, given the distance mentioned.

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Antonio Berberan

Posted By: Fendant
Date Posted: 10 March 2026 at 15:49

Antonio.

I have the same installation:

-external bow thruster

- 90 Ah battery forward fresh water tank

- 12V bat-bat charger in the AGM 145A battery compartement nex to landline batt charger

- wired remote joy stick control at helm station

- wireless remote control also connecting to the anchor winch

Everthing was factory installed in Greifswald, organized by my dealer

Advantages:

- great performance and efficiency

- silent operation ( neighbours next are not woken up )

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Frank