New type of bow thruster installation?

TNT8808

Well-Known Member
PLATINUM Sponsor
May 25, 2016
921
West Michigan
Boat Info
2008 48 Sundancer
Avon Seasport 340
Engines
Cummins QSC 8.3's
40 HP Yamaha
We went to the boat show in Grand Rapids, MI earlier today and saw these two examples of what seemed like odd bow thruster installations on brand new 2020 35' express style cruisers. The first is a Four Winns with just a tunnel, and the second is a Tiara with the thruster installed. I asked both dealers, and they said these boats came from the factory this way. We've generally considered Tiara to be a higher end builder, but their thruster installation looks a bit sloppy to us.
4194A706-4253-462C-B4FA-0690FB3EEF64_1_201_a.jpeg

472F70CA-D256-452F-9104-0042B94A9C1B_1_201_a.jpeg
 
Looks like the hull mold had the area for the thruster tunnel in it. Then the tunnel and a plug at the bottom were added. Wondering if they felt it was a better alternative to drilling through the hull after the fact for structural integrity.

-Kevin
 
I don't know why the installation looks like this. First the bottom photo has no fairing at all which would suggest it was on a trawler. Even then the drag without fairing would be significant.

In regards to the lego look.....it is anybody's guess why they molded it that way. I have never heard of a properly installed bow thruster leaking or weakening the hull structure. If you watch the installation process.....the thruster tunnel in combination with the internal fiberglass provides a material amount of strength to the hull.

That said....if you wanted to include a bow thruster on your models maybe you would try the lego approach and make the bottom section something you glass in after the boat comes out of the mold.
 
There is no craftsmanship left in manufacturing anymore. Do it as easily and quickly as possible, for the human or the robot. Its all about making money now. Dont worry about longevity of your product or reputation anymore. Its sad.
 
I looked it up on Tiara's website, and the bottom photo is actually a 34LX (34'9" LOA).
Screen Shot 2020-02-23 at 8.30.54 AM.png
 
Funny...I saw this yesterday in Grand Rapids too. I had the exact same thoughts. The Tiara was a bit surprising just based on the appearance. They should have hung one of those cool inflatable bumpers over the tunnel :)
 
It's all about modular construction techniques now days. Less skill in assembly required and less time to complete. True craftsmanship is getting hard to find in the work force. Fairing those tunnels is a time consuming task. Prone to cracking over time.
 
Is it possible it is made to “drop out” for service, after removing sealant and fasteners? With the inverted pie shape, it would wedge in and come out, if so.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
112,950
Messages
1,422,890
Members
60,933
Latest member
juliediane
Back
Top