Click for JetForums Click for Walker Click for Ocean Alexander Click for Westport Click for Abeking

Hydrauliс bowthruster on a 80ft+ European make

Discussion in 'Technical Discussion' started by RUSSLAND, Apr 7, 2024.

  1. RUSSLAND, Apr 7, 2024
    #1
    RUSSLAND

    RUSSLAND Member

    Joined:
    Nov 25, 2009
    Messages:
    32
    Location:
    Italy
    Does someone know which European shipyard still installs hydraulic bow/sternthrusters? Trying to find a boat for my client and he's towards a hydraulic that an electric one
  2. Pascal, Apr 7, 2024
    #2
    Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 29, 2008
    Messages:
    8,610
    Location:
    Miami, FL
    Over 80 feet most boats should have hydraulic bow thrusters. A proper listing will say what kind of thruster is on board, unless the listing broker is too lazy to do his job.

    never had and never used a stern thruster and don’t understand why anyone would want one with twin screw.
  3. mapism, Apr 7, 2024
    #3
    mapism

    mapism Senior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 9, 2008
    Messages:
    2,189
    Location:
    Sardinia
    All the half decent ones do - depending on the boat size, obviously.
    BTW, while it's true that hydraulic thrusters are way more common on 80+ footers, I'm not sure they necessarily "should" be hydraulic, as Pascal said.
    Sure, you don't want a 24V DC toy thruster on a big boat, but if the vessel is designed for having 3-phase AC running 24/7, also while not docked, there's something to be said for AC electric thrusters which, aside from being as reliable as the hydraulic ones, are unaffected by the mains RPM.