Bow thruster on 420

seadaddler · Jan 3, 2010

Try Hunter

You could also call and see if they ever installed a thruster in that model at the factory and what and how they did it.
Nick

sailor420 · Jan 3, 2010

Rick,
I know a couple of 420 owners that have installed bow thrusters and I even considered them for my 2000 420 but at $12000.00 and that was several years ago, I felt I could spend the money better and with a little practice it hasn't been a requirement to manuver the boat in tight spaces.

Buck420 · Jan 3, 2010

Rick Belew said:
I have a 2001 Hunter 420 Passage. The forward head is located forward. I would like to install a bow thruster but the space is limited. I would like to know if anyone has knowledge of a thruster being install on a 420 Hunter. What brand and location and if any major problems with the installation.

It been a long time since I have been to the Forum and I miss it. I sure learn a lot about boat from all you guys.

Rick Belew
s/v Pinnacle

Rick,
To the best of my knowledge, Hunter never offered a bow thruster as an original equipment option for 420's. You can ck this by talking to Mike at Hunter Parts.
The price mentioned by Mike Bernard may reflect the difficulty involved installing one. Perhaps Mike can give you the name of the boatyard that gave him the quote and who presumably did the installation(s) for the other 420 owners that he knows.
My '01 420 also does not have one; and I am in agreement w/ Mike that the cost (for me at least) wouldn't justify the benifit.

Alan · Jan 3, 2010

Thrusters in general were designed for large boats maneuvering in very tight quarters. They do, of course, make up for a lack of experience in boat handling. Everyone has to learn how to handle their vessel and the learning curve is quite steep. With a little practice you will find that you could handle your boat in most situations.

Having said that there is a bow thruster made that is retractable and is lowered below the hull when in use. After it is retracted into the hull for stowing. The space required is small and the installation is not as involved as those that are permanently fixed.

henkmeuzelaar · Jan 3, 2010

In case you are unable to find a practical, affordable bow thruster but happen to have a fixed propeller, you may want to consider a three-bladed Maxprop or equivalent self-feathering propeller.

The improved performance and control, especially in reverse, compared to a fixed propeller will make docking under trying conditions quite a bit easier.

Success!

Flying Dutchman

Alex Dare · Jan 5, 2010

thruster

Rick,
My understanding is that Hunter never offered a bow thruster option because they didn't originally believe they had the room to do it with the head forward. As mentioned, the good news is that it can be done by an experienced yard but the additional work required to modify the head floor area is where the extra $$ comes in. In addition to making room for the thruster tunnel and motor, it is imperative that the tunnel be far enough below the the water line such that it doesn't suck a bunch of air from the surface when in operation. (This is hard since most modern boats don't have a lot of depth up forward) If it's not deep enough the thruster will make lots of noise and not work as effectively as it should. Sometimes an anchor locker full of chain will help.The farther you move the tunnel aft, the more depth you can get but that also means a longer tunnel as well as a shorter lever arm that the thruster is working against (closer to the boat's pivot point). No free lunch unfortunately

Alan · Jan 6, 2010

There IS another alternative to cutting tunnels and spending lots of $$. A compact retractable thruster. It also has the added advantage of not affecting boat speed when not in use the way tunnel style units do. It might be worth a l;ook at least: http://www.max-power.com/Resources/Compact-Retract-Technical-Drawings.html

If you check the spec sheet you'll see it's far more practical than the other.

Sailm8 · Jan 7, 2010

There is a thruster out there that looks like a small Torpedo with a fan in it. It mounts on the exterior of the hull rather than in the hull. There looked like a single smallish hole drilled in the bottom of the hull for the wiring and mounting plate. I saw it in a new product announcement but can't find it again to give you a link. Maybe someone else will remember where they saw it.

Alex Dare · Jan 8, 2010

retractable thruster

Rick,
If you think a normal tunnel type thruster is $$$ a retractable one will really make you pucker. Installed, you're probably looking at 15-20K.

Ron McCoy · Jan 14, 2010

Alex -- good gracious, what did you do to your dog!!!!

Alex Dare · Jan 16, 2010

Huh...dog looks normal to me....Actually he used to be a pusher prop but since the new dog food he's jet powered!

Sailm8 · Jan 28, 2010

Sailm8 said:
There is a thruster out there that looks like a small Torpedo with a fan in it. It mounts on the exterior of the hull rather than in the hull. There looked like a single smallish hole drilled in the bottom of the hull for the wiring and mounting plate. I saw it in a new product announcement but can't find it again to give you a link. Maybe someone else will remember where they saw it.

Found the ad. It is called EXTURN and can be found at exturnusa.com

Graysailor · Jan 31, 2010

I bought a 2008 Hunter 41 with the factory installed bow thruster. I do believe it will fit. However, the after market install I am sure would run about $12,000.00

Bow thruster on 420

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