LM27 Bow Thruster
Apr 15, 2016 20:03:30 GMT
Post by oceandancer on Apr 15, 2016 20:03:30 GMT
Hi All,
I thought it might be of interest to report on the fitting of a bow thruster to Ocean Dancer.
The whole system was fitted in just one day including the GRP work and is a most professional job, see Pic
The system uses the engine battery and thick cables are installed from the bow to the battery compartment inside the starboard lockers as it takes about 250A starting current. No problem though as you will only use it when the engine is running. The battery volts do drop some but all seems to be OK and my charging diodes are still working.
I have the Side Power SA40 fitted which is larger than Jan's on the advice of the installer. It certainly has some thrust and makes manoeuvering at close quarters in close proximity to expensive boats much simpler. In particular exiting astern from a finger pontoon in adverse wind conditions, (my berth faces SE and a SW wind is abeam) is now much safer.
I was also concerned that the tunnel might induce some drag but after testing with a clean bottom my well established benchmark of 5kts at 1600 revs still seems to be OK.
You can see from the pic that the installer has built up the forward edge so that you cannot see the back wall of the tunnel when viewed from dead ahead.
Sailing is also seemingly unaffected and overall I am very pleased. Not many LM27s have been fitted with a thruster and Jan's is the only other one I have seen.
Incidentally, Jan was asking about yacht legs some time ago and as you can see my boat sits on these, with the aid of wooden blocks to raise the keel for painting. They are also beaching legs and are 2inches shorter than the draught. I always use wooden shores but this is only for added security in high winds. You can paint all of the boat without moving any supports.
Regards
Mick
I thought it might be of interest to report on the fitting of a bow thruster to Ocean Dancer.
The whole system was fitted in just one day including the GRP work and is a most professional job, see Pic
The system uses the engine battery and thick cables are installed from the bow to the battery compartment inside the starboard lockers as it takes about 250A starting current. No problem though as you will only use it when the engine is running. The battery volts do drop some but all seems to be OK and my charging diodes are still working.
I have the Side Power SA40 fitted which is larger than Jan's on the advice of the installer. It certainly has some thrust and makes manoeuvering at close quarters in close proximity to expensive boats much simpler. In particular exiting astern from a finger pontoon in adverse wind conditions, (my berth faces SE and a SW wind is abeam) is now much safer.
I was also concerned that the tunnel might induce some drag but after testing with a clean bottom my well established benchmark of 5kts at 1600 revs still seems to be OK.
You can see from the pic that the installer has built up the forward edge so that you cannot see the back wall of the tunnel when viewed from dead ahead.
Sailing is also seemingly unaffected and overall I am very pleased. Not many LM27s have been fitted with a thruster and Jan's is the only other one I have seen.
Incidentally, Jan was asking about yacht legs some time ago and as you can see my boat sits on these, with the aid of wooden blocks to raise the keel for painting. They are also beaching legs and are 2inches shorter than the draught. I always use wooden shores but this is only for added security in high winds. You can paint all of the boat without moving any supports.
Regards
Mick
