A27- Bow Thruster

[JT48348]

Who's running with a bow thruster on the Albin 27?

Don, I remember you posted a photo somewhere of your bow thruster but I can't find the thread. When you get a chance Can you post some pictures again and explain what kind and where you installed it?

Thanks

[Jay Knoll]

Joe, I've got one on Better Days installed by the prior owner. it is installed in,

wait for it,

the bow (sorry I really couldn't help myself) in the locker area underneath the forward V berth. I'll try to take a few pics

Jay

[JT48348]

Love it! I assumed they all went into the bow under the vberth but I guess I was wondering if they were internal or external and a consensus on brand.

It seems like an expensive mod at $3k+ so I wonder the value from those that have it already.

[Jay Knoll]

All I can say is that the first mate loves it. No more tension going in/out of the slip. And when the 1st mate is happy the captain is happy......................

[Jeremyvmd]

I have to say having a bow thruster on my 28 takes all the stress out of docking. Certainly won't hurt the docking ability of the boat. Lol. Do I think it's 100% necessary? Prob not but it sure is nice! Can't imagine there is that much of a difference between a 27 and a 28.

[sail149]

As to brand my boat came with a pro installed 'side-power' all the way from Sweden ,lovely looking piece of kit.....until I tried to use it and found that sitting in the damp enviroment of a boat bilge the brush holders and springs etc had all rusted up. Back to Mass for a $900 rebuild.....( local starter repair place could not fix), so be sure to keep them warm and dry! Ha! They are probably all the same ....steel parts in a bilge..duh!

[JT48348]

I'm looking at a Yacht Thrust Ezturn 130s. This seems like a very simple install. But it's got a $4500-5200 price tag. Ouch

Not sure it's necessary or with it.

[Jeremyvmd]

Just did a quick search. Interesting unit, seems like a simple install but being external like that I would be worried about damage or drag when running. Might be better off with a more "classic" bow thruster install - they are a bit cheaper too (install costs more for sure...lol)

[Jay Knoll]

Joe

Here is the setup on my boat

[Beta Don]

JT,

Mine is a Lewmar 110TT and it cost me less than $1K. Installed it myself. Wasn't all that hard. Without a doubt one of the best mods we did to the boat

Don

[JT48348]

Ok that's what I thought. And you have the internal tunnel like Jay right? How did u cut that big gapping hole. I remember u posted pics once but can't find them

[Jeremyvmd]

Here's a old and really brief video on installing a vetus unit
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x8z918 ... _lifestyle

[Jeremyvmd]

It won't let me edit to add another link so here it is
http://www.westsystem.com/ss/installing-a-bow-thruster

[JT48348]

Great links thanks. Don's unit looks like a direct thrust unit not a tunnel thrust unit.

That's what I'm trying to figure out. The direct thrust mounts verticle through the hull and it turns?? Providing thrust externally in a given direction. The tunnel unit is a internal unit in a tube u glass inside the bow.

Jays unit looks like an interior tunnel thrust unit.

[JT48348]

I spent all morning searching 30+ pages of posts by BetaDon because I knew I saw photos of his thruster install somewhere. I was mistaken about Don's thruster, clearly a tunnel unit.

The search engine failed to provide the links. Again it's imperative that info and photos get filed to the right threads so it can be found at a later date.

Here's the post under a pilothouse thread...
viewtopic.php?f=28&t=8419&p=51484&hilit=Thruster#p51484

And below are Don's great pictures.
How did you cut those holes and line everything up?