Bow Thruster for '92 Hunter Legend 43

[sawimp]

Hi, I would like to install a bow thruster on my '92 Hunter Legend 43. Does anyone know of a Legend 43 that has had a bow thruster installed? I was talking to a marine service that does bow thrusters and from the pictures I sent him of my bow, he said there would not be enough bow bottom under the water to facilitate a bow thruster.

Thanks.

 

[Bill Roosa]

Don't know about your boat but you do have to keep them under a certain amount of water or they suck air and don't work well. The manufacturer's web site should have an install manual that may help.

 

[Navicula]

do you have a forward head......you may want to look at the external ones

 

[onecoolair]

Hi, I would like to install a bow thruster on my '92 Hunter Legend 43. Does anyone know of a Legend 43 that has had a bow thruster installed? I was talking to a marine service that does bow thrusters and from the pictures I sent him of my bow, he said there would not be enough bow bottom under the water to facilitate a bow thruster.

Thanks.

This would be my first choice....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mjdfPhqgiyg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=fvwp&NR=1&v=tk1PMLY8YfE

 

[Deadline]

Alertnatively...

I'd get a bigger prop, three bladed and contoured especially for backing in. It's a lot less expensive, more authentic, and easier to install. Once you master backing and docking, the bow thruster becomes irrelevant.

 

[Bill Roosa]

Ditto Deadline
My 40.5 is trun-able in her own length (without a thruster if you know what you are doing. I'd recommend "Annapolis Book of Seamanship"

 

[onecoolair]

Ditto Deadline
My 40.5 is trun-able in her own length (without a thruster if you know what you are doing. I'd recommend "Annapolis Book of Seamanship"

Maybe he knows what he is doing and as mastered all the technics and just wants a bow thruster .

 

[sawimp]

Thanks for the advice. I single-hand a lot in the Chesapeake. I think an external unit might be my best bet. But would have to be even more careful about snagging a crab pot. Any horror stories of an external thruster snagging or being ripped off the boat?

 

[artboas]

External thruster Not reccomended

Thanks for the advice. I single-hand a lot in the Chesapeake. I think an external unit might be my best bet. But would have to be even more careful about snagging a crab pot. Any horror stories of an external thruster snagging or being ripped off the boat?

Firstly, I know of 2 hunter 43 boats with bow thrusters. One of them was installed after delivery.
I would contact Hunter, and get specifics for any factory installed thruster options. That would be a good starting point.

I looked into the external thruster for my 49 as a stern thruster. I did a fair bit of research into the unit, and talked to the US representative.
I contacted their office, and asked if they had any existing installations on Hunter 49s. He told me there were several. I then asked him for one or two references. At that point he backtracked, and said they had installed on "many Hunters, but no 49's"
I made an appointment to meet with the head of sales at the Toronto boat show.
I went to his booth, and introduced myself. The sales guy then made me wait almost 20 minutes, while he talked with an obvious "tire kicker', paying no attention to me whatsoever.

When I finally got his attention, he told me which model I needed, and was 100% sure that it would work. I then asked him for the kW output of the thruster, so I could make some calculations confirming that it could handle the side load. He said he didn't know, and that nobody had ever asked him that question.
He then said that based on my displacement, I, in fact, needed two stern units; not one.
I then found out that the larger units were only available in 24 volt, requiring a complete set of additonal batteries, plus a 24 volt charger. This would be further complicated by finding a way to charge these batteries from shore as well as engine.
He then told me to buy it, and if it didn't work, I could send it back for a refund.. Pardon me, but i don't drill large holes into the bottom of my boat based on those types of assurances.
Just to find out how sincere his offer was, I asked if he would ship it to me, and I would install it. If it worked i would pay in full. If not, i would return it, and they would reimburse me for the cost of fixing my hull. he said they couldnt do that.

I then decided to ask Hunter their opiion on this unit. Their response was that they would categorically never fit one on a Hunter for either bow or stern application.
So, in summary I have little confidence in their salesmanship and customer support.
I believe that a bow thruster on the 43 is a good idea. It will assit you with docking in crosswinds, and probably bail you out of one or two scrapes.
I would also consider either a max prop or vari prop. The reason for this is that it eliminates prop walk in reverse.
Good luck

 

[sawimp]

Hunter 49: Thanks for the reply. What is the name of the external bow thruster company that you talked to, I will avoid them. My main concern about an external is that I sail the Chesapeake and worry about snagging crab pots.

Marlow-Hunter doesn't list a phone number to call. I sent them a question via their site inquiry form. In the past they have come back telling me to contact a vendor which I had already done. Getting the feeling that we're on our own now.


............................

Firstly, I know of 2 hunter 43 boats with bow thrusters. One of them was installed after delivery.
I would contact Hunter, and get specifics for any factory installed thruster options. That would be a good starting point.

I looked into the external thruster for my 49 as a stern thruster. I did a fair bit of research into the unit, and talked to the US representative.
I contacted their office, and asked if they had any existing installations on Hunter 49s. He told me there were several. I then asked him for one or two references. At that point he backtracked, and said they had installed on "many Hunters, but no 49's"
I made an appointment to meet with the head of sales at the Toronto boat show.
I went to his booth, and introduced myself. The sales guy then made me wait almost 20 minutes, while he talked with an obvious "tire kicker', paying no attention to me whatsoever.

When I finally got his attention, he told me which model I needed, and was 100% sure that it would work. I then asked him for the kW output of the thruster, so I could make some calculations confirming that it could handle the side load. He said he didn't know, and that nobody had ever asked him that question.
He then said that based on my displacement, I, in fact, needed two stern units; not one.
I then found out that the larger units were only available in 24 volt, requiring a complete set of additonal batteries, plus a 24 volt charger. This would be further complicated by finding a way to charge these batteries from shore as well as engine.
He then told me to buy it, and if it didn't work, I could send it back for a refund.. Pardon me, but i don't drill large holes into the bottom of my boat based on those types of assurances.
Just to find out how sincere his offer was, I asked if he would ship it to me, and I would install it. If it worked i would pay in full. If not, i would return it, and they would reimburse me for the cost of fixing my hull. he said they couldnt do that.

I then decided to ask Hunter their opiion on this unit. Their response was that they would categorically never fit one on a Hunter for either bow or stern application.
So, in summary I have little confidence in their salesmanship and customer support.
I believe that a bow thruster on the 43 is a good idea. It will assit you with docking in crosswinds, and probably bail you out of one or two scrapes.
I would also consider either a max prop or vari prop. The reason for this is that it eliminates prop walk in reverse.
Good luck