33 bowthruster installation questions

[dries77]

Hi all,

I there anybody on this forum with a 33 who has a bowthruster installed? Would like to have some info about positioning of the thruster. Placing seems difficult, since there isn't alot of waterdepth in the first 1,5 meter of the bow. And max bowthruster tube length is about 1.5 meters. perhaps the retractable version would be more usable but would like to know if anybody fitted a tube version.

Yes i know you should be able to sail without. I just think its makes life easy if i have to get it in a box with 7cm to spare on both sides and 25-30kts wind from the side. Want to be able to manouvre it on my own. (i dont want to be anoying, but the other questions about bowthruster in small hunters, ended in several sugestions about doing it without.)

 

[SEMPERAVANTI41]

I don't know if it's going to be possible to install a tunnel type bow thruster due to space limitations. I installed one on my 41 DS and space was very, very tight. I got specific installation instructions from Hunter which were invaluable. Don't know if Hunter offered a bow thruster for the 33, so there may be nothing available. A few years ago there was an external, bolt on thruster available. Sorry, I can't remember the name but I think it was made somewhere in Europe.

 

[dries77]

Hi Semperavanti,

I've seen those bolt on versions. Real easy to assamble, but takes 0,5-1 kt of your speed. Still awaiting a mail from Hunter mainoffice. Hope the can give me some info.
Thanks for your reaction.

 

[SEMPERAVANTI41]

Hi dries77,
Good luck on getting a reply from Marlow-Hunter! Better to contact a dealer, if any still exist?

 

[M_Michaels]

I installed an Exturn bow thruster on my Hunter 380. Pretty easy project. I purchased the unit from a dealer in Germany. Cost around 5K. Performance is all that I had hoped for.

 

[M_Michaels]

Here is the info for the Germany dealer:
MARITIMUS Worldwide Yacht Management
www.maritimusboote.de
Adresse - Address
18356 Fuhlendorf,
Alte Dorfstrasse 5
Deutschland Germany

USt. / TAX ID: DE 812564257
e-Mail: maritimus-boote@t-online.de
Tel./Ph.: +49(0)38231 41101
Fax.: +49(0)38231 41122

 

[Hunter Ad Bot]

And now a word from the sponsor...

Hunter prop struts and shafts

Props, keys, shafts, struts, cutless bearings and shaft logs. We guarantee fit!
See the product

 

[dries77]

Here is the info for the Germany dealer:
MARITIMUS Worldwide Yacht Management
www.maritimusboote.de

Thanks! That looks like a great solution. All the way in the front, so you have a large arm and great turning radius.

Can i ask why didn't you install a regular version with the tunnel? Not enough room? I read something that the external mount creates drag of about 0,5 knots. So i was looking for a retractable or tunnel version.

 

[M_Michaels]

I have a water tank in the bow. Also a thruster built into a tunnel causes drag also. Plus the unit cost and labor cost! Maybe not enough depth to do something like that also. As far as drag from my thruster, I do not notice a difference. That big thing hanging down under your boat (the keel) causes a fair amount of drag. That small thruster is streamlined. Drag from it is near zero.