Bow thruster props

Post by **Richard** » Tue Feb 27, 2007 10:36 am

Vetus has been advertising a new 6-bladed prop design that it claims will reduce bow thruster noise and increase thrust. It can be retrofited. I just checked and Defender has them for $65. for the 55 Kgf (121 lbf) Vetus thruster.

I am tempted to try it. Anybody else have any experience with this new prop?

Post by **Russell** » Tue Feb 27, 2007 12:33 pm

What is this bow thruster noise I have read about here a couple of times? I can just hear a little whine when mine is engaged. Not enough to worry about. It is hard to imagine that that little prop can make a loud noise. Is it on the outside or inside of the boat?

Post by **Mariner** » Tue Feb 27, 2007 12:46 pm

It's in a tunnel in the bow.

Ours is quite loud. Much louder than on our last boat. It came as quite a surprise to me when I first ran it.

Post by **Butch** » Tue Feb 27, 2007 2:34 pm

Mine bow thruster was loud till the batteries started to go bad. I think the Mary B will be in drydock for awhile this Spring. Just before winterizing I had a sqeeking sound from the belt..Richard you may have to give me a tow to Solomons Island

Post by **Richard** » Tue Feb 27, 2007 5:29 pm

The loud noise from the bow thruster comes from cavitation at the prop and not the motor or right angle gear box (according to Vetus). Mine is very loud and I have noticed its the same on other boats that I have been on. I guess that ever since I heard that "Real Boaters" and Chesapeake watermen don't use bow thrusters, the noise makes me self conscious when I am cheating (which is most of the time).

Butch: It could be a long trip to Solomons under tow; it might be better bite the bullet and spend those bucks sooner than later.

Post by **Dave39** » Tue Feb 27, 2007 5:31 pm

I'd be interested in the results if you install them. I'm getting tired of hearing my dockmates tell me the sound is very loud. They are right. On my Mainship 43 I could hardly hear the thruster from the bridge. I'll replace mine if the sound is reduced because then maybe the guys won't know I'm using it, and get off my case when docking.

TonyAmalfitano · Post by **TonyAmalfitano** » Tue Feb 27, 2007 7:34 pm

I don't have a bow thruster, therefore no noise.

Post by **Mariner** » Tue Feb 27, 2007 7:37 pm

I don't get embarassed when using the thruster because I know I don't need it. I generally just use it for convenience, and only occasionally use it to correct for a mistake I've made. Generally speaking, I don't use it very often. When I do, it's mostly just so I don't have to race to the bow to grab the bow line or something.

Post by **Capt Paul** » Wed Feb 28, 2007 12:33 am

Getting into the slip I have now is very difficult with out the thruster. I have about 1 foot of room on each side when I'm in the slip. I have to turn to port to get into it and that's difficult without allot of water moving past the rudder. My boat turns allot easier to starboard. I generally have to put the nose in at an angle and then back and fill a little to get the boat straightened out and then forward. There is usually a breeze coming over my port quarter at this point which will swing the stern wide if I don’t get into the slip quickly. That's when the thruster comes in real handy. I have made it in with out it a couple of times but it is convenient to have especially for a narrow slip. It pays to practice without it though because I imagine one of these days I'm going to press that button and nothing is going to happen! And yes, it is loud so I'm interested to see how the new prop works.

Paul

Post by **JackK** » Wed Feb 28, 2007 3:08 pm

Ok - I couldn't resist. I ordered the prop this afternoon. I already had mine removed so it seems like a good time to try. Defender said they sold the last one today and that it would take a week or so for it to come in.

My thruster is loud as well. If it cuts down the noise by even 25% it would be worth it to me.
______________________
2003 28 TE Dogonit

Post by **Richard** » Wed Feb 28, 2007 3:21 pm

Jack:

Thanks for being the Guinea pig. Let us know how it works.

Post by **mhanna** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 6:57 am

From reading how to replace the prop this is something that has to be done out of the water ?
I have been on a few boats while shopping for mine and they all had very noisey thrusters, I have mine in the backyard right now and am assuming it will be as loud as the rest. Just turning it on for a second I hear the RRRGGGGG of the system, so not sure how much of the noise is all about the prop and the water...
Also is there any reason to carry a spare prop ? its plastic afterall ?

Matt

Post by **JackK** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 8:22 am

Yes the prop must be replaced out of the water.
(1) Block the prop from moving
(2) remove nut and washers. Do not lose the pin behind prop (see diagram)
(3) tap back of prop gently to remove

** you might as well replace the zinc while you have the prop off

_______________________
2003 28 TE Dogonit

Post by **Denis** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 9:03 am

I have a question, my bow thruster seems to be a little different than most, a Vetus 23kg I think. It looks a little different than the picture, there is no place for the zinc to be attached and the prop is held on with a screw not a nut. My question is inside the boat near the motor mount is a green bonding wire. Could that wire which runs to a large block zinc on the transom take the place of a zinc on the thruster? Denis

Post by **JackK** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 9:17 am

Denis -
The defender catalog shows a BP129 zinc for the 23 kgf thruster. Definately different than the one used on mine.

The green wire is part of the bonding system so yes it is providing some protection but I do not belive it eliminates the need to service the zinc on the thruster itself.

Jack
____________________
2003 28 TE Dogonit

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Albin Owners Group

Bow thruster props

Bow thruster props

Noise?