410 Bow Thruster

[Barny192]

Hi Guys,

My wife and I are gearing up to buy a Hunter 410 and one little luxury we would like to add is a bow thruster, but each time I look at one I am not sure we could fit one due to the pulman berth (which we love) and the forward head arrangement. The floor of the head looks to low to allow the fitting of a standard style thruster and the space under the pullman looks to far aft? Does anyone have any experience of having one fitted to a 410 or know of anyone who has had one fitted?

Any input most welcome. Thanks in advance.

Richard & Sandra.

 

[seadaddler]

What Year

What year 410 are you has for info and have you called Hunter and ask them if they ever put one in at the factory or see what they think.
Nick

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

You might want to check out the external thrusters on the market as they can be much easier to install and repair.

 

[Alex Dare]

bow thruster

My recollection is that yes it can and has been done but, it requires modification of the floor in the forward head to accommodate the tube. The extra labor and skill to make it all work bumps up the price of this job quite a bit. This is not a good DIY project. You're probably looking at 12-15K.

 

[Alan]

Retractable thruster

I'm no advocate for thrusters on small boats but here's one you can install yourself that takes minimal space. A big benefit of this unit is it doesn't compromise sailing performance when not in use the way permanently installed unit do.

 

[Barny192]

Hi guys,

I have contacted Hunter and they have never done a factory fit Bow thruster to a 410 but they thay think a drop down version might be the best way to go.
Is this whats know as an external thruster?

We are looking at a 98/99 version and the main reason for installing one is that my darling "little" wife is just that, little and after a season or two in the Caribbean/Bahamas we intend to return to the UK and transit France through the canals into the Med and it would greatly assist our docking/mooring during that time and while stern/bow's to mooring in the Med. There will be a time between purchase and our arrival in St Pete's Florida which would be very convenient to get the work done.

Being a non purist sailor, will I notice the difference in performance with a bow thruster fitted?

Many thanks for your thoughts so far guys.

 

[Alan]

Here's a link that might help

http://www.max-power.com/Products/Electric-Retractable-Thrusters/Compact-Retract.html

 

[isaksp00]

I sail with a friend who has a 48' Island Packet with an internal bow thruster. He is sort of a purist and has opted to go for it, so at least with this boat the performance penalty didn't seem to bother him. Of course, money is no issue for this guy.

 

[newly anonymous]

I owned a 410 for eight years before moving up to a 46. Can't imagine needing a bow thruster on that boat. Turns on a dime, parks like a dream, and backs up better than it goes forward. Spend some time getting to know the boat, and you'll realize that your money will be much better spent on some great sails.

 

[Barny192]

Thanks Newly, thats a new slant on it and your the first 410 owner to give me some first hand knowledge. I have always managed without one and all of my own boats have been long keel heavy displacement crusing yachts (a legacy from my ex wife's preferences) so I have never had much experience with a fin keeler.
Sound advice.

Thanks.