Bow thruster project

Haddock_ · **Posted:** Sun Mar 15, 2015 12:26 pm

Hi

I promised in the other thread to share something about my bow thruster project.

This is on a Vista 258 2006 model.

The bow thruster to be installed is a Side Power SE40, http://sleipnerab.se/produkt/19038/se40-tunnel-thruster-12v/.

First off - I removed all the wood in the very front storage compartment so I can access the tunnel-to-be from the front, in order to glass it in (later).

Then I made a template and sawed out the most of the v-berth floor, for two reasons. 1) access to install the thruster and 2) be able to storge stuff in there.

and here it is - sawed it out very carefully as I want to reuse the piece I removed as a lid later on. One thing I did not count on was that I couldn't cut as far back as I thought - underneath the last two, three inches of the intended cutout is a cross-boat support. I had to cut further forward and unfortunately make the back corners straight not nice and rounded. Bummer - but I will survive.

I made a mockup of the tunnel in some lightweight cardboard in order to get an idea for placement. Gotta remember that I want it as far forward as possible, but not too high either. Before I started, I measured using a tube, water and basic physics that the water level is approx 3.5" above the v-berth flooring, so installing it just below is a good compromise of forward and depth. The top of the tunnel is thus just over 4" below the surface, which should work well but not place it so deep it drags whilst planing. As you can see in the photo below, I also positioned the mount of the motor on my cardboard tunnel to get an idea of how it will mount.

Next step is to get an exact position of the tunnel perpendicular to the boats centerline, mark out the centers and drill a center hole - then the big tunnel-saw comes out...and in goes the tube. That is probably for next weekend.

In the meantime, I'll be shopping fibreglass, resin and some other bits and bobs.

Hope this is intresting for anyone. I have never seen a 258 Vista with a bow thruster so maybe I'll be the first :-)

Mike

hutch9900 · **Joined:** Tue Mar 22, 2011 7:14 pm **Posts:** 456

I am very interested! So far, this looks like a very well thought out process. Good luck and keep the details coming.

efollis · **Posted:** Sun Mar 15, 2015 7:22 pm

That is quite an undertaking. It reminded me of a brief video I saw a while back from a boating television show done at a nearby marina. It will be interesting to see the similarities and differences with this project and the video, done by a major marina on a larger boat. If you are interested,the video is available at- http://www.powerboattv.com/installing-a ... 55669.html

Paul I. · **Posted:** Sun Mar 15, 2015 8:26 pm

Personally, I am thinking of something like this. Takes up a lot less space and the battery can be in the engine compartment. Or you will be running very large cables up to the bow!

http://www.hollandmarineparts.nl/?/jetthruster

deafwish · **Posted:** Sun Mar 15, 2015 9:07 pm

^^^ What a brilliantly simple concept!

TFD2001 · **Posted:** Mon Mar 16, 2015 6:18 am

Haddock_ wrote:

...Hope this is intresting for anyone. I have never seen a 258 Vista with a bow thruster so maybe I'll be the first :-)

Mike

While it is interesting for sure, I believe that there is probably not too many 258's out there with a bow thruster due to it generally being considered unnecessary for this size boat.. I'm curious what your reasoning is for it? Do you have some special circumstances that cause the necessity for it? Keep up with the pictures, none-the-less! :mrgreen:

ric · **Posted:** Mon Mar 16, 2015 7:56 am

If I had the money and a 258 Vista I'd install one. Why not?

Jsyphil · **Posted:** Mon Mar 16, 2015 8:52 am

Interesting stuff, look forward to more.
As i live in a coastal area and boat in the sea, I sometimes have to deal with increasing winds, swell and current - i fully understand why you'd fit one.

babbot1 · **Joined:** Tue Mar 12, 2013 3:46 pm **Posts:** 570

Where are you installing the batteries or can you use the engine battery(s)? What kind wiring do you need? That link is not English but translating does show a few specs but not the current draw that I could see.
Keep up the good work! Looks great so far!

Haddock_ · **Posted:** Mon Mar 16, 2015 2:21 pm

The reasoning for this is that it is really hard to do tight close quarters maneuvering in a gusty condition...especially since I have to be able to do it on my own. My wife isnt fully "there" yet, she is willing though not always so able as an experienced boater would be.

So...electrics. You will see, I have both a plan A and a plan B. Plan A is that the current giant sized wires to the front anchor motor I can just T into. They are certainly large enough (cross section is 50mm, I cant translate that into any "gauge"). The motor is 2200W...so the current draw is like 180+A...if it doesn't work, plan B Is to add a separate battery at the front that is connected with a batteryseparator that closes when incoming voltage is over 13.4V, i.e when charging either motor on or shore power charger, otherwise disconnected so the battery doesnt power any house consumption.

ric · **Posted:** Mon Mar 16, 2015 3:05 pm

Haddock_ wrote:

The reasoning for this is that it is really hard to do tight close quarters maneuvering in a gusty condition...especially since I have to be able to do it on my own. My wife isnt fully "there" yet, she is willing though not always so able as an experienced boater would be.

So...electrics. You will see, I have both a plan A and a plan B. Plan A is that the current giant sized wires to the front anchor motor I can just T into. They are certainly large enough (cross section is 50mm, I cant translate that into any "gauge"). The motor is 2200W...so the current draw is like 180+A...if it doesn't work, plan B Is to add a separate battery at the front that is connected with a batteryseparator that closes when incoming voltage is over 13.4V, i.e when charging either motor on or shore power charger, otherwise disconnected so the battery doesnt power any house consumption.

That's a 185 amp draw HOLY CRAP! That will drain one deep cycle battery flat dead in.... 10 minutes of use.

50mm wire is around 0 AWG. It should handle it as long as it's not continous use.

hutch9900 · **Joined:** Tue Mar 22, 2011 7:14 pm **Posts:** 456

ric wrote:

Haddock_ wrote:

The reasoning for this is that it is really hard to do tight close quarters maneuvering in a gusty condition...especially since I have to be able to do it on my own. My wife isnt fully "there" yet, she is willing though not always so able as an experienced boater would be.

So...electrics. You will see, I have both a plan A and a plan B. Plan A is that the current giant sized wires to the front anchor motor I can just T into. They are certainly large enough (cross section is 50mm, I cant translate that into any "gauge"). The motor is 2200W...so the current draw is like 180+A...if it doesn't work, plan B Is to add a separate battery at the front that is connected with a batteryseparator that closes when incoming voltage is over 13.4V, i.e when charging either motor on or shore power charger, otherwise disconnected so the battery doesnt power any house consumption.

That's a 185 amp draw HOLY CRAP! That will drain one deep cycle battery flat dead in.... 10 minutes of use.

50mm wire is around 0 AWG. It should handle it as long as it's not continous use.

Do you mean 1/0??? :roll:

babbot1 · **Joined:** Tue Mar 12, 2013 3:46 pm **Posts:** 570

There should be a spec on the thruster of how long continuous use you can run it and it should be in seconds. They are intended for short bursts and not for continuous use like a trolling motor.

Haddock_ · **Posted:** Mon Mar 16, 2015 4:03 pm

Yes, its all short bursts of maybe a second or two max. Mostly it is just to correct the bow and get rotation going, a burst or two and then it is done.

Haddock_ · **Posted:** Mon Mar 16, 2015 4:06 pm

I wasnt clear, the wire is 50mm^2 i.e it is like 1/8" in diameter, like the thickest between starter battery and engine.

www.iFourWinns.com

Bow thruster project

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