Just got back from a tour of the Hunter facility in Alachua and I saw several H460's in final assembly with thruster props mounted in a forward tunnel in the bow. Has anybody added this option ? I was curious as to the performance of the system, maintenance, and cost of the option. Also, how does it effect the sailing characteristics? I would also recommend the tour. The folks are friendly, helpful, and love to hear your stories about the boats they build. Jeff
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Really?
Now this is very far from something I would ever consider, but I'm trying to understand why ANYONE would consider it. My parents have a Legend 43' and they used to have a Hunter 54. Both of those boats are so easy to maneveur that I can't imagine what could be gained with a bow thruster. I'm trying to keep an open mind here, but it's going to be really hard. A bow thruster on a 46' sailboat? What next? Twin engines? A fly bridge?
Now this is very far from something I would ever consider, but I'm trying to understand why ANYONE would consider it. My parents have a Legend 43' and they used to have a Hunter 54. Both of those boats are so easy to maneveur that I can't imagine what could be gained with a bow thruster. I'm trying to keep an open mind here, but it's going to be really hard. A bow thruster on a 46' sailboat? What next? Twin engines? A fly bridge?
I've seen it before
Up here in the northeast, I've seen thrusters on some of the higher priced sailboats boats which are often semi-custom built. I have seen them on Freedom and Shannon sailboats and usually on the 43+ foot boats.
Up here in the northeast, I've seen thrusters on some of the higher priced sailboats boats which are often semi-custom built. I have seen them on Freedom and Shannon sailboats and usually on the 43+ foot boats.
bow thruster
Justin have you ever backed a forty or fifty foot sail boat in to a slip with boats on both sides of you ,and a cross wind 15to 20 knots . then you will know what a thruster will do for you, good sailing
Justin have you ever backed a forty or fifty foot sail boat in to a slip with boats on both sides of you ,and a cross wind 15to 20 knots . then you will know what a thruster will do for you, good sailing
Hmmmm...how 'bout this?
Theoretically speaking (oh no, here we go) a bow thruster could be used to negate the immediate forces of prop walk? To accomplish this though, the bow thrust combined with the prop walk would move the boat (all the boat) to port until steerage was obtained. Option 2: Cooling fan for bottom job sanding technician? Option 3: Helps overcome cross-current while pulling into slip? Option 4: Heavy seas wave diverter? Option 5: Cash flow for builder? Not sure I'd ever use it either, cross-currents and high winds are rare in docking and/or mooring scenarios (or I wouldn't be docking or mooring there) and when they do occur, it's just a couple of extra minutes and more alertness required to adequately manuever these sporty little (big) boats. Besides, I haven't cranked the motor except to charge batteries and heat water for quite sometime. Something about the satisfaction of sailing a boat with 10'11" beam into a 12' wide slip without touching anything; very gratifying. I've got it! You could keep the bow thruster running when you're not on the vessel to keep the water stirring and prevent things from growing on the bottom! That's got to be the reason. Seriously though, I wouldn't want to dock a 46' trawler in even a light breeze without a bow thruster. Maybe enough 43+ Hunter Owners said the boats were difficult to manuever in winds????
Theoretically speaking (oh no, here we go) a bow thruster could be used to negate the immediate forces of prop walk? To accomplish this though, the bow thrust combined with the prop walk would move the boat (all the boat) to port until steerage was obtained. Option 2: Cooling fan for bottom job sanding technician? Option 3: Helps overcome cross-current while pulling into slip? Option 4: Heavy seas wave diverter? Option 5: Cash flow for builder? Not sure I'd ever use it either, cross-currents and high winds are rare in docking and/or mooring scenarios (or I wouldn't be docking or mooring there) and when they do occur, it's just a couple of extra minutes and more alertness required to adequately manuever these sporty little (big) boats. Besides, I haven't cranked the motor except to charge batteries and heat water for quite sometime. Something about the satisfaction of sailing a boat with 10'11" beam into a 12' wide slip without touching anything; very gratifying. I've got it! You could keep the bow thruster running when you're not on the vessel to keep the water stirring and prevent things from growing on the bottom! That's got to be the reason. Seriously though, I wouldn't want to dock a 46' trawler in even a light breeze without a bow thruster. Maybe enough 43+ Hunter Owners said the boats were difficult to manuever in winds????
worlds fastest tacks or gybes
Hi Jay, How about impressing your friends with prop assisted tacks? You might almost throw them out of the boat. Also might be fun to spin circles in tight channels. In our neck of the woods there are tube worms that would want to foul the prop and set up living quarters in the hollow tube. I could see however, if I had to single hand the boat in a strong cross-wind or pick up a mooring stick that it might do a nice last minute correction and hold my nose in place. Thanks to all and keep those creative suggestions coming. Jeff
Hi Jay, How about impressing your friends with prop assisted tacks? You might almost throw them out of the boat. Also might be fun to spin circles in tight channels. In our neck of the woods there are tube worms that would want to foul the prop and set up living quarters in the hollow tube. I could see however, if I had to single hand the boat in a strong cross-wind or pick up a mooring stick that it might do a nice last minute correction and hold my nose in place. Thanks to all and keep those creative suggestions coming. Jeff
Uh Ken?
Didn't I just say that my parents 43' and 54' Hunters were plenty maneuverable. Even had the pleasure taking the 54 through the Ballard Locks about a half dozen times. I think Rick posts says it all. Think Lancer...
Didn't I just say that my parents 43' and 54' Hunters were plenty maneuverable. Even had the pleasure taking the 54 through the Ballard Locks about a half dozen times. I think Rick posts says it all. Think Lancer...
Been there, hit that
I've been in more than a few situations, singlehanding around docks, when I cursed certain divinities for not making them standard equipment on my 42. Hey, if money is no object, why not? Would they cost much in terms of sailing speed?
I've been in more than a few situations, singlehanding around docks, when I cursed certain divinities for not making them standard equipment on my 42. Hey, if money is no object, why not? Would they cost much in terms of sailing speed?
would like one
There have been a number of times over the past year when I was trying to get back inthe slip and the wind ws blowing 20 on my beam that I would have paid to have a thruster on my 42. If I had thought of it when she was built I would have inquired and tried to have one installed. I guess I'm not elitist enough to look down on the concept. I get no particular satisfaction with a particular docking action good or bad.
There have been a number of times over the past year when I was trying to get back inthe slip and the wind ws blowing 20 on my beam that I would have paid to have a thruster on my 42. If I had thought of it when she was built I would have inquired and tried to have one installed. I guess I'm not elitist enough to look down on the concept. I get no particular satisfaction with a particular docking action good or bad.
Wish I Had One
If I had it to do over again, I would have had one put on my H-450 during construction. While the 450 (same hull as the 460) backs and manuvers beautifully, all single screw large boats, power or sail, can use one in a cross wind or current condition. Go for it.
If I had it to do over again, I would have had one put on my H-450 during construction. While the 450 (same hull as the 460) backs and manuvers beautifully, all single screw large boats, power or sail, can use one in a cross wind or current condition. Go for it.
Bob Bass, another idea...
Hi Bob, After trying to plow a 6 foot draft boat into the Harbor Town Marina in Fort Pierce you just gave me an idea. We could have used the thrusters after we got grounded to work the boat side to side then back up and get a faster running start. Carol D. and I really enjoyed spending 2 days in your beautiful marina and seeing Toucan Dream. Regards, Jeff
Hi Bob, After trying to plow a 6 foot draft boat into the Harbor Town Marina in Fort Pierce you just gave me an idea. We could have used the thrusters after we got grounded to work the boat side to side then back up and get a faster running start. Carol D. and I really enjoyed spending 2 days in your beautiful marina and seeing Toucan Dream. Regards, Jeff
Bow Thruster - Yes
What can I say - I just took delivery of a 450 last week that we ordered with a bow thruster. Can't tell you how well it works yet and will it be several months before I can, it is still snowng uo here. We had a Passage 42 before and found lots of places were a thruster would have been nice, since you don't get directional control of the "stern" until you get water passing around the rudder. Now we will be able to inch ourselves in or out and push or aim the "bow" in the desired direction. We also had a 43' sailboat in our marina that had a thruster and after watching what they could do, it made us dream. We do most of our sailing either single handed or just the two of us. We are retiring next year to live aboard and cruse, so extras like autopilots and thruster are like having an extra crew on board. We also felt that with the extra windage on the 450, the thruster would be nice. You only go through life once ...... so we will do it with ease.
What can I say - I just took delivery of a 450 last week that we ordered with a bow thruster. Can't tell you how well it works yet and will it be several months before I can, it is still snowng uo here. We had a Passage 42 before and found lots of places were a thruster would have been nice, since you don't get directional control of the "stern" until you get water passing around the rudder. Now we will be able to inch ourselves in or out and push or aim the "bow" in the desired direction. We also had a 43' sailboat in our marina that had a thruster and after watching what they could do, it made us dream. We do most of our sailing either single handed or just the two of us. We are retiring next year to live aboard and cruse, so extras like autopilots and thruster are like having an extra crew on board. We also felt that with the extra windage on the 450, the thruster would be nice. You only go through life once ...... so we will do it with ease.
So how much did they cost
I also have been considering adding a bow thruster to my 376 because of the unique morring situation in Wickford. We tie up for and aft to pilings with 3-4 feet of space to spare. We are on the edge of a narrow channel and need to leave the mooring with the bow piling to port. If the wind is coming from the starboard it turns into a combination of brut strength and lots of yelling to extracat our boat. Now if you have a better suggestion I am all ears. Russell Allie Kat
I also have been considering adding a bow thruster to my 376 because of the unique morring situation in Wickford. We tie up for and aft to pilings with 3-4 feet of space to spare. We are on the edge of a narrow channel and need to leave the mooring with the bow piling to port. If the wind is coming from the starboard it turns into a combination of brut strength and lots of yelling to extracat our boat. Now if you have a better suggestion I am all ears. Russell Allie Kat
Freeboard
The excessive freeboard and resulting windage on the new Hunters is what creates the need for a bow thruster. MC
The excessive freeboard and resulting windage on the new Hunters is what creates the need for a bow thruster. MC
Experts?
Are any of us expert sailors? The beauty of sailing is that even after 25 years of sailing/cruising/racing/living aboard there is still plenty to learn. I'm here to learn, I don't know about you, Ted. Perhaps you already learned all you need to know about the sport, the lifestyle, and the boats. If so, please share your knowledge with us. I would certainly welcome it. My wife & I are leaving in 3 weeks for a 3 month cruise on our Valiant 32. Anything that could make our cruise better would be great. I'm not sure what bow thrusters have to do with SAILING exactly, but I as a past Hunter owner I still find this board a good place to learn now and then. Also, since my parents are out cruising I like to pass along any tidbits that might help them with the use of their boat. P.S. Does anyone know if these bowthrusters have some type of cover or plug to reduce the drag when under sail?
Are any of us expert sailors? The beauty of sailing is that even after 25 years of sailing/cruising/racing/living aboard there is still plenty to learn. I'm here to learn, I don't know about you, Ted. Perhaps you already learned all you need to know about the sport, the lifestyle, and the boats. If so, please share your knowledge with us. I would certainly welcome it. My wife & I are leaving in 3 weeks for a 3 month cruise on our Valiant 32. Anything that could make our cruise better would be great. I'm not sure what bow thrusters have to do with SAILING exactly, but I as a past Hunter owner I still find this board a good place to learn now and then. Also, since my parents are out cruising I like to pass along any tidbits that might help them with the use of their boat. P.S. Does anyone know if these bowthrusters have some type of cover or plug to reduce the drag when under sail?
Justin, I'm jealous...
and good luck and fair winds to you, your wife, and your Valiant during your adventure. Part of the reason I raised the question of the Hunter designed bow thrusters was an engineering question about the induced drag created by a 10" diameter tube run perpendicular to the flow of water. The installation I saw had no doors or plugs and I was wondering about increased drag or possible vibration at higher hull speeds. I think we will have to wait for Gordons's report after he gets his 450 in the water. I ,for one, appreciate your input even when the tone is sometimes more CWBB than HOW :>) Regards, Jeff
and good luck and fair winds to you, your wife, and your Valiant during your adventure. Part of the reason I raised the question of the Hunter designed bow thrusters was an engineering question about the induced drag created by a 10" diameter tube run perpendicular to the flow of water. The installation I saw had no doors or plugs and I was wondering about increased drag or possible vibration at higher hull speeds. I think we will have to wait for Gordons's report after he gets his 450 in the water. I ,for one, appreciate your input even when the tone is sometimes more CWBB than HOW :>) Regards, Jeff
How does it affect sailing performance????
Would hope someone would answer Jeff Walker's question. Seems like it would offset any sailing benefit of putting a feathering prop on the boat . . . . Okay, who had sailed a boat with one??
Would hope someone would answer Jeff Walker's question. Seems like it would offset any sailing benefit of putting a feathering prop on the boat . . . . Okay, who had sailed a boat with one??
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