Jet pump on 42 sailboat - anybody knows if it would work?

Hi Morten,

I saw what you are describing in a magazine the other day, but now I can´t find it again...

However, there have been similar setups in the past, and a normal prop thruster is probably more effective. If you are afraid of missing speed under sail, you can have a retractable. There are even retractable and steerable thrusters if you like.

Normally you just need them in windy or tide situations and one (electric) bow thruster of 5-8 kW will be enough. Weight is 20-30 kg and a fixed tunnel would be 140-180 mm. Price 15-25´SEK.

If I´ll find this jet thruster again, I´ll post it here.

You may be right, I was thinking of these and they start at 15 kW. http://www.oysthrusters.com/OYS Thrusters Brochure.pdf

What situation is it where you will need this, do you have a tricky home port?

I have found the company producing the jet thruster system I saw. It can run hydraulic from the main engine or with electric pumps. You have four holes of 45 mm and all is handled with a joystick. Their website is not yet updated but a pressrelease can be found here:
http://www.hotfrog.nl/Companies/WILLDO-B-V/FullPressRelease.aspx?id=3088

I drove an antarctic loading barge with 4 hamilton jets, two on the transom with reverses and a hydraulic one on each bow (reversable too)

It was a forest of levers!
It could turn or crab any direction.

Hmm ,never heard of this on any kind of a sailboat.

The mechanics and plumbing may cost more than it is worth?
Not that hard to dock a 42' sailboat.
If ya have to dock in a gale call ahead on the radio and have several people meet ya on the dock to catch the lines.

If that ain't gone happen, go around the corner and drop anchor 'till stuff settles down, with a beer in hand.

Sure, ya could make a 40 something sailboat fly if you installed retractable wings and a big enough powerplant, but, uh, we sailors like to stay low-tech and go for the piece and quiet and the pretty sun-sets.
Let the power boaters install the high tech stuff to drool over in air conditioned comfort while watching their plasma TVs tied safely to the dock with the blender going full speed mixing the gin to feed the palace...

To Jet - or not to Jet

To morten:
Where you live, they make some of the biggest and best jet drives - anywhere. So a few local calls,
I'm sure will be productive.
Personaly, I like jets.
However, most effective units, on the market,
are designed to work best, at over 30 knots.
Especialy, in the smaller sizes.
And they do not like going slow....

Although, as Bruberty indicates: in the commercial sector you will find industrial strength
- High Thrust.... Low Speed - jet drives.

Your requirements, run counter to all these trends.
That is: You need light duty, small unit(s).
That deliver high thrust - at relatively slow speeds.

So...yes. It can be done. What you describe exsists.
It's done on a larger scale. Every day.
However, is it cost / effective, in your situation. ?
Certainly will not be as easy to fix - when things go wrong.
As other options, presently are.

'Regards !