Skeg-mounted stern-thruster

[Mariner]

This is a purely theoretical discussion. I have no intention of installing such a thing. But I was reading a description of the Seattle Fire Department's new boat and it said that it has a "skeg-mounted stern-thruster". It got me thinking. Most single-engine Albins have a skeg. Could they, in theory, be fitted with something like this?

To my knowledge, other than the propeller shaft passing through it, the skeg on our boat is solid fiberglass, and not thick enough for a thruster. But in theory, if the right unit were developed, couldn't something be mounted in the area shown below:

[Elizabeth Ann]

IF the right unit was developed I see no reason why it couldn't be done. Most thrusters need to be mounted verticle, this one would need to be nearly horizontal.

Also, is there an added advantage to have a thruster that low? How many stern thrusters are needed for traditional installs? One or two?

[mhanna]

Nice idea but even if it could fit all of that in the skeg and put the motor up top, for me anyway it would be too close to the bottom near my slip and would suck up everything.
I have seen some that are transom mounted and it would have cleaner water and be more easily serviceable.
But would that be cool, YES

Matt

[RicM]

Check these out:

http://www.sideshift.com/BoatType/boattypelinks.htm

The value of having the prop deeper is that water gets a lot denser as you go deeper, giving the same HP thruster more bite.

I get a lot of crap for "cheating" when I use the bow thruster. I'd never hear the end of it if I started going sideways!

[Mariner]

An transom mounted thruster wouldn't work on our boat. Well, it would work, but it wouldn't be safe. The swimstep is integrated, so any thruster mounted to the transom, would stick out, and be directly in the way of the swim ladder.

Although, a transom mounted thruster does have the added benefit of not creating any drag when underway.

[DougSea]

I get a lot of crap for "cheating" when I use the bow thruster. I'd never hear the end of it if I started going sideways!

Are the folks giving you a hard time driving single screw inboards? Cause if they're not you should tell 'em to pound sand!! Twin screws and O/Bs are SO much easier to maneuver!

[Denis]

Doug, I couldn't have said it better myself.

[RicM]

Oh you get crap for everything on my dock, busting is the summer sport. And yes they are all running twin outboards and twin inboards and going through fuel like you wouldn't believe. They think I'm lying when I tell them what my fuel burn rate is. They are just jealous because if they put the hours on that I did last summer they'd be bankrupt.

[jcollins]

Here you go. This is on a Ranger Tug.

[Doug]

Our 32+2 CB has a stern mounted Vetus thruster. I believe it is the same thruster that comes on this boat for the bow. It is protected by a couple of tubes that attach just above the thruster. And it works great.
Doug