Has anyone Installed a Side Shift Stern thruster?

Carpediem44DB

Well-Known Member
Aug 18, 2015
3,230
Sanfransico Bay area
Boat Info
2000 Carver 506
2006 44 DB Sedan Bridge
Engines
Volvo TAMD 74 P
This would be a helpful addition to the 506 since I side tie with a prevailing wind to port that blows me off the dock. Compared to the Vetus and Side Power bow thrusters I have experience with the Side Shift system seems hinky. If anyone has these installed I'd appreciate some input as to quality and reliability. This system could literally be installed with the boat in the water depending on where I put it.
Carpe Diem
ST350 Stern Thruster – Sideshift
 
Seems to be a common "upgrade" for carver owners. A friend put the bow and stern thrusters on his older MY - the motors tend to rock in the bracket and his squeezed out the tape they use between it and the bracket - when he went to rebed/tighten the brackets all the powdercoat came off the motor in one big sheet (one year old at this point)......upon contacting sideshift they said it was "galvanic corrosion" and not covered under warranty...I saw the damage - it was poor prep - there was no corrosion - plus the motor and bracket take 3 or 4 zincs.....crappy setup and piss poor support - keep the motor inside the boat where it belongs - If you're hell bent on a cheaper solution, try exturn, they seem to have a better system and reputation...
 
Thanks for the first hand input. That confirms my suspicions about the cheaper system. Makes sense on a $30,000 boat but pound foolish on a $300,000 investment.
Cheers
Carpe Diem
 
Thanks for the first hand input. That confirms my suspicions about the cheaper system. Makes sense on a $30,000 boat but pound foolish on a $300,000 investment.
Cheers
Carpe Diem

A buddy of mine put a hydraulic motor in for a stern thruster and the electric pump was inside the boat. He has a single engine Mainship. He has had that for a little over 10yrs. with little to no issues. The thing is so powerful that yaws with the engaged thruster. I am not sure who made it though. But might be something to look for. I want to say it was a Vetus, it was mounted through the transom with nothing exposed except the tube and prop housing. Much like this: https://www.nauticexpo.com/prod/vetus/product-21508-214768.html
 
I don’t have any direct experience with these “add-on” thrusters, but I have experience with the more robust Vetus systems. I’ll just say that I feel on a boat (yacht) your size, I’d spend the long dollar on a tried and true Vetus system with the motor inside the boat and the props and tunnel mounted on the transom. I think dollar for dollar you’ll be happier, and more pleased with the performance, dependability, and longevity.

7ED7BC18-8B37-48B3-AD00-11BDB2CB4CBB.jpeg
 
I don’t have any direct experience with these “add-on” thrusters, but I have experience with the more robust Vetus systems. I’ll just say that I feel on a boat (yacht) your size, I’d spend the long dollar on a tried and true Vetus system with the motor inside the boat and the props and tunnel mounted on the transom. I think dollar for dollar you’ll be happier, and more pleased with the performance, dependability, and longevity.

View attachment 107274
Yeah, I’m leaning in that direction for sure.
 

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