Hunter 41AC Bow Thruster

[Bill Marrero]

Shopping for a Bow Thruster for Optimistic our new to us 2006 41AC and would appreciate any feed back regarding installer and brand.
For example...
1- Installer
a:Florida Bow Thrusters b: New England Bow Thrusters c: NE Bow Thrusters
2- Thruster Brand
a: Vetus b: Lewmar
Suggestions, recommendations, Do's & Don'ts and comments appreciated.

Thanks
Bill

 

[uncledom]

My 41AC came with a Lewmar 140TT. I feel it is not enough thrust occasionally. I believe you need to add a step kit in the forward cabin, just outside the forward head for clearance for the thruster tube. So I think the 6" tube is the largest you can use in this installation. That is going to limit the thrust and the electric motor is going to limit time you can use it. I know Lewmar doesn't make a hydraulic thruster that will fit in a 6" tube, I asked them. They told me I can't retro fit the 140TT with a hydraulic system. I wish you good luck in your search for a thruster.

 

[Bill Marrero]

Thanks for the response. One of the installers suggested using a retractable Lewmar 185TT 4.0 KW bow thruster producing 145 lbs of thrust. Does anyone have any experience with a retractable bow thruster. Its new to me but he stated he had installed it on a Hunter 41 with great success. He feels the fact that the prop is 8" below the bow it will have more bite when utilized.
Any input would be greatly appreciated.
Bill

 

[uncledom]

Bill, the depth isn't really an issue. I've never had it cavitate. It's purely a pounds of thrust issue. The 185 has more thrust, I just don't know how much is enough.

 

[ttac]

We are friend that ownens DOCKING BY CONTROL. Give Danny Hampshire a call and see what he would suggest for your boat. He installs them in all kinds of boats. His phone number is 321-890-4511.

 

[Bill Marrero]

Will do, thank You.