I have a new Hunter 426DS and I opted for the factory-installed bow thrusters. In an e-mail conversation with the hull designer, I was told to expect a slight speed decrease under sail. When the boat was delivered and before going into the water, the reason was quite visible. The location of thruster is such that it creates a "scoop" effect below the waterline as the bow cuts through the water. It's quite apparent when under sail and watching the bow wave. Depending on amount of heel (and wave action) you can actually see water being forced out of the tunnel on the windward side. My question is...is there any device, research, etc. on any type of a "fairing" device to channel water away from the opening while under sail.??? I keep visualizing something like a reversed air scoop glassed into the hull just ahead of the tunnel. I don't know exactly how much speed these thrusters have cost me but I do know the lessend anxiety and manuverability they provide in boat handling. Any input out there from anyone experienced with these.????
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Gordon Myers
Don't loose sleep over it !!!
We have a 2000 h450 w/ a thruster. Theoretical there is a loss of speed under power or sail, but it is so slight. Lets be honest, you have a cruiser not a race boat. I'll bet you are loosing 3 to 5 times move speed if you are running the standard 3 blade prop compared to a Max-Prop or some other type feathering or folding prop. I have a feathering Max-Prop and I pass 450, 456, 460 & 466 with the standard 3 blade prop and I'm the only one with a bow thruster. The sail plan (standard vs. roller furling), hull cleanliness & prop type will determine the boat speed MUCH more than the thruster. Relax, enjoy the thruster and just think of all the less anxiety you and your mate will have when docking. Gordon (s/y Utopia III)
We have a 2000 h450 w/ a thruster. Theoretical there is a loss of speed under power or sail, but it is so slight. Lets be honest, you have a cruiser not a race boat. I'll bet you are loosing 3 to 5 times move speed if you are running the standard 3 blade prop compared to a Max-Prop or some other type feathering or folding prop. I have a feathering Max-Prop and I pass 450, 456, 460 & 466 with the standard 3 blade prop and I'm the only one with a bow thruster. The sail plan (standard vs. roller furling), hull cleanliness & prop type will determine the boat speed MUCH more than the thruster. Relax, enjoy the thruster and just think of all the less anxiety you and your mate will have when docking. Gordon (s/y Utopia III)
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Alan
Why??
.. did you have them installed in the first place?? What possible use could you have for such a thing? You're sailing a 40+ ft sailboat not 120' motor yacht. Have them removed and glassed over, get a good feathering prop and practice tight quarters manuvering with it. You'll be amazed at how good it is and how your skill level at handeling your boat will increase.
.. did you have them installed in the first place?? What possible use could you have for such a thing? You're sailing a 40+ ft sailboat not 120' motor yacht. Have them removed and glassed over, get a good feathering prop and practice tight quarters manuvering with it. You'll be amazed at how good it is and how your skill level at handeling your boat will increase.
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Frank Arndorfer
Gordon, Alan...not far off.
Gordon and Alan, thanks for response. And both of you brought up points that I've considered. Gordon. I do try to keep in perspective that I'm not racing this boat. And what it costs me in speed is offset by the assurance and security that I hopefully won't bruise things. Alan. I do have the 3 blade maxprop and in spite of already having the thrusters, I've trained myself to NOT use them unless absolutely necessary. This forces me to do a better job of manuvering. fact is we came out of a 34' boat and felt the thrusters would help us acclimate to a boat of this size. And in that respect, they have served their purpose well.
Gordon and Alan, thanks for response. And both of you brought up points that I've considered. Gordon. I do try to keep in perspective that I'm not racing this boat. And what it costs me in speed is offset by the assurance and security that I hopefully won't bruise things. Alan. I do have the 3 blade maxprop and in spite of already having the thrusters, I've trained myself to NOT use them unless absolutely necessary. This forces me to do a better job of manuvering. fact is we came out of a 34' boat and felt the thrusters would help us acclimate to a boat of this size. And in that respect, they have served their purpose well.
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Vic
Let's not poo poo thrusters ...
there are times where in tight spots, wind from the wrong direction and currents they eliminate having to have a couple of people fending off and throwing lines a couple of times ... which is great when you are runing without 18 year old bozos as crew. Speaking of which ... just this year one of Oldport Marines launches here in Newport now has a bow thruster which its drivers just love and use to help make tight turns and dodge around boats and come up tight to your boat in one shot. Of course they also did that over the last 25 years with the old launches without bow thrusters ... but hey when you need to flip a launch around in way less than a boat length. Vic "Seven"
there are times where in tight spots, wind from the wrong direction and currents they eliminate having to have a couple of people fending off and throwing lines a couple of times ... which is great when you are runing without 18 year old bozos as crew. Speaking of which ... just this year one of Oldport Marines launches here in Newport now has a bow thruster which its drivers just love and use to help make tight turns and dodge around boats and come up tight to your boat in one shot. Of course they also did that over the last 25 years with the old launches without bow thrusters ... but hey when you need to flip a launch around in way less than a boat length. Vic "Seven"
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Gordon Myers
Enjoy the Bow Thruster - Great Decision !
Frank, when we ordered our 2000 h450 (in 1999) it was to become our home. I did not want the bow thruster but my wife wanted it to make our docking life easy, with less effort and much greater safety for us & our crew (guest). It has done all that & more, thank you Linda. In most cases you will not need it, but in tight quarters, strong currents or wind it will give you an edge that you will appreciate. You will be able to get in slips from runways built for 30' boats by backing up in one shot where Alan will pull straight in and need two or three shots. I see this all the time and most times we are the only sailboat that has backed into a slip and made it ease for ourselves regarding elect. & water connections plus getting on / off the boat. Alan must be one of those purist that still drives an auto with a V-8 with a carburetor, old fashion brakes, no air bags, seat belts, or cell phone, because you don't need that stuff. Well he is right you don't need that stuff, but once you get in the real world and use the latest technology you don't want to have to start a fire by rubbing two sticks together just because you can. Does Alan navigate by the position of the sun & stars or uses GPS? We are now retired (and probably a little older with less strength than Alan) and live on the boat traveling up & down the East Coast plus the Caribbean. I'll bet we do more docking in strange ports every month than Alan does in a year and our boat does not have a single scratch. So bottom line - use the bow thruster just once and the only thing you would consider glassing over would be Alan's mouth and lack of real world knowledge.
Frank, when we ordered our 2000 h450 (in 1999) it was to become our home. I did not want the bow thruster but my wife wanted it to make our docking life easy, with less effort and much greater safety for us & our crew (guest). It has done all that & more, thank you Linda. In most cases you will not need it, but in tight quarters, strong currents or wind it will give you an edge that you will appreciate. You will be able to get in slips from runways built for 30' boats by backing up in one shot where Alan will pull straight in and need two or three shots. I see this all the time and most times we are the only sailboat that has backed into a slip and made it ease for ourselves regarding elect. & water connections plus getting on / off the boat. Alan must be one of those purist that still drives an auto with a V-8 with a carburetor, old fashion brakes, no air bags, seat belts, or cell phone, because you don't need that stuff. Well he is right you don't need that stuff, but once you get in the real world and use the latest technology you don't want to have to start a fire by rubbing two sticks together just because you can. Does Alan navigate by the position of the sun & stars or uses GPS? We are now retired (and probably a little older with less strength than Alan) and live on the boat traveling up & down the East Coast plus the Caribbean. I'll bet we do more docking in strange ports every month than Alan does in a year and our boat does not have a single scratch. So bottom line - use the bow thruster just once and the only thing you would consider glassing over would be Alan's mouth and lack of real world knowledge.
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