Bow thruster

Corrosion, Paint, Through Hulls, etc.
Post Reply
Butchel
Tin star
Posts: 22
Joined: Sat Nov 19, 2016 11:29 am

Bow thruster

Post by Butchel »

I want to install a bow thruster on my 39' FB sedan but am very hesitant about installing an FRP tunnel in an aluminum hull because of potential un-bonding problems. Is it possible to mate a Lewmar bow thruster, for example, to an aluminum tunnel tube? Also, being somewhat lighter and shallower draft than a typical 40 footer, would a small thruster, say 3 hp, do the job?
Rockit
Aluminum Star
Posts: 182
Joined: Sat Jul 12, 2014 8:26 pm
Location: Phoenix, AZ

Re: Bow thruster

Post by Rockit »

You might want to ask Lewmar. Personally I'd check with a couple of suppliers to decide who was making the most sense.

Good luck.

Joe
Joe Napoli
1977 28' Express
Twin raw water cooled 318s
Beaver River--near mile 25 on the Ohio
thanksdad
Member
Posts: 16
Joined: Sun Jul 13, 2014 9:12 pm

Re: Bow thruster

Post by thanksdad »

Depending on your needs, would a stern thruster work instead? No tunnel to cut, just a few bolt holes under the swim platform instead. I know that is an over-simplification but, they do offer an alternative to cutting a hole in the bow.

Best of luck, Scott
Scott Ross
Thanks Dad
1988 32 Fisherman
Sandusky, Ohio
MetalHead
Site Admin
Posts: 269
Joined: Fri Jul 11, 2014 6:03 pm

Re: Bow thruster

Post by MetalHead »

Looking at the Lewmar website, it looks like the tunnel is not specific to the thruster. A call is best to Lewmar, but looks like the install would fit on an aluminum tunnel.
http://www.lewmar.com/sites/default/fil ... 0-Iss4.pdf

Here is a Vetus that gives tunnel choices as an example.
https://www.jamestowndistributors.com/u ... ?pid=51499
1959 Family Cruiser - Sold - Gary Dick - 12/05/14
1963 Express 31x10 - Sold - Joe & Ginger Tabor - 01/21/2017
1963 Express 31x8.5 - In Dry Dock - Restore Underway
1987 Sportsman - Lay Lake (Coosa River) Alabama
Big BigM 's Rule !!!
Columbiana, AL
Post Reply