Bow thrusters on a Sea Ray 380

B

bayboatersf

New Member
Jun 29, 2012
36
San Francisco
Boat Info
2000 Sea Ray 380
Engines
Mercruisers 8.1
I am considering installing bow thrusters on my Sea Ray 380.
Coming back to my marina in the afternoon with high winds and docking with a narrow fairway is always exciting.
Does anyone have any experience installing any type of bow thrusters on a 380?
Thanks.
 
I have a bow thruster (there's only one) on my 370. The PO had it installed during the winter for a price tag of 8K.

It's an awesome tool to have on windy days....

Mark
 
depending on which one , mine are "side power" 24vdc. So i need a seperate battery bank with a 24v charger. Just keep that in mind, i have bow and stern.


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Russ, everyone thinks i'm a great operator. ( Especially Gary) Reality is the boat could prob dock it'self!!!!!!
 
I watched a thruster be installed on my friends 340DA a couple years ago. As I recall his is a Vetus and ran him $6-$7K. He loves it. Florida Bow Thrusters did the install and did a great job. Done just over 2 years ago and no issues. I think they give a lifetime warranty but can't remember for sure.

http://clubsearay.com/showthread.php/35552-Bow-Thruster-Install-on-05-340DA
 
When in Stuart buying my 400DA in late 2007, I watched Florida Bow Thrusters doing an install on a 380.

I did not pay special attention to the details, but I did think at the time I would only want a very experienced company to do that to any boat of mine, you would not want someone learning to install on your boat!

I now have a 460DA with 12 volt Bow and Stern thrusters, and think they are one of the best features of the boat.

Arriving into any marina or docking situation, it is absolutely foolproof with just the two of us on board, as others say, the boat could probably dock itself.

As an extra bonus, it makes leaving any fuel dock or alongside berth very easy, even with a wind blowing onto the dock.

Graham
 
Having one installed by F.B.T. at the end of the month.Will plan on being there to watch and take pictures.Will post on completion of job.
 
I had one installed in my 380 by FBT. Best $ I spent on boat. great install by FBT
 
A friend owns New England Bow Thruster, they do a great job. I can send you his contact info if your interested, very knowledgeable and helpful.
 
I had a 10 hrspwr, 10" tunnel, side power installed 12 volt and have not regretted it once.... ($12k)
 
I talked to my local yard and they mentioned a new type of external bow thruster that you just bolt in front of the boat (Xturn).
It is less expensive and they don't have to drill the tunnel.
In the video it looks good but I would like to know if anyone had it done.
 
bayboatersf
I saw one on a boat. It was attached to the bow of the boat below the water line. If one goes in rough water at high speed I feel you might damage it over time as the props were exposed.
 
FBT did my Stern thruster as well as a stern thruster for a buddy here in GA. I believe they do installs throughout the country (obviously travel time will likely increase the cost) and I remember someone telling me they do more thruster installs than anyone else. Don't know if that's true or not, but I certainly do recommend their work, my install was a bit tricky but they had done them many times before and seemed to know exactly what to do - no OJT going on. And on a separate note, I agree with a previous post, having both is a game changer and really takes the complexity out of almost every situation (barring wind so great it can overcome the thrusters completely). I don't use them every time I dock, but when I need them boy is it great to have bow and stern ... if you are adding bow, I'd consider adding a stern thruster as well at the same time if possible.
 
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