Interesting. I've never seen one on that size boat!

 

A few years back there was an early 2000’s Maxum 22’ Bowrider at the marina, it had bow and stern thrusters. The control knob was so well integrated into the helm that I assume it was factory installed.

 

That's quite a project. I'm not adventurous enough to take on a project like that and appreciate those who have the skills and the know how to do it.

Please keep sharing the photos. I'm enjoying them.

 

Yes, please keep sharing. When I compare maneuverability of my 268 with a single outdrive compared to my 380 with twin v-drives. I could if def used the bow thruster more on the smaller single engine boat than now.

 

I'm surprised by the color of the stringer. It looks like it has been wet and is starting the early stage of rotting. It is kind of a punky black color. Anyone else wonder about that?

 

View attachment 94846 I'm surprised by the color of the stringer. It looks like it has been wet and is starting the early stage of rotting. It is kind of a punky black color. Anyone else wonder about that?

it was wet but i have cut it off now

 

Be sure to reinforce the area you removed the stringer. Based on what I know about fiberglass it can fail without notice and at that point you sink. The glass fibers crack and you can not see them fail. Fiber glass used to be a popular crude oil storage tank liner. It was very good until the tank had excessive settlement. I have never put one in; but have watch marinas do it. A good marine uses the correct hole saw. I saw one marina use a Sawzall. It did not look pretty.

 

It’s just a support for the floor and table, some 260 Sundancer doesn’t have it

 

Am I the only one who asking WHY! With all due respect, if you need bow thrusters on a 26, maybe you should consider an RV.

 

With all due respect WHY not? I have had lots of RVs during the years but now I have this boat. I have driven different boats for many years so I’m familiar with that for example this type

Combat boat 90 52,49ft
Weight 46200lb
Combat boat 90 are easy to drive but my 260 isn’t easy when I have wind from the side when I go to dock.

Do you have a reversing camera on your car or other technical aids? If you have it why?
Maybe you should cycle instead! ;-)

 

In for the build!

 

Joystick in place

 

Battry box, main switch and fuse mounted.

 

Do you think that water came from the anchor locker?

 

Yes, I think so. I will examine it more carefully in the spring

 

That size boat a boat hook is cheaper. Never even considered a bow thruster on that size boat way to easy to maneuver. Docked it in all kinds of weather and conditions.

 

Good that you are so good at handling a boat!
I have two boat hooks but still want a bow thruster.
1. I can afford it.
2. I think it’s fun to upgrade the boat.
3. I will install it myself to have something to do with the boat during the winter.

 

Your boat, your money, fun for me to watch - good luck and keep us posted. Cool project.

 

Nice project, keep us updated.

A single engine boat, especially an I/O can become a handful for anyone at times, no matter how good you are. If you are ok with the time and money, why not.

 

Here's the DaveS 260 thread:
http://www.clubsearay.com/index.php?threads/260-sundancer-thread-comments-questions-and-answers.414/

Best of luck!

 

All electric installation finished. I will updating when I do the installation of the tunnel but it will be during the spring because it to cold to do the job now.

 

All electric installation finished. I will updating when I do the installation of the tunnel but it will be during the spring because it to cold to do the job now.

View attachment 96477
View attachment 96478
View attachment 96480

Highly recommended to put some chafe protection around the hole in the first pic. The material could easily cut the wire insulation over time.

 

I’ve never NEEDED a thruster on my 260, but man have there been sooooo many times it would have been AWESOME to have.

following and plotting

 

Strong blowing wind on a 26, may be too much for the bow thruster to compensate. Looking good.

 

What are you trying to say?

 

I’ve heard of butt dialing someone but never heard of butt posting....

 

nice combat boat. bet there are a lot of Captains of aircraft carrier that cant dock a 26' in a good breeze. your point is badly mistaken, misinformed and useless.

 

For anyone interested. There's an option to ignore any specific member of the forum...nice to have sometimes.

 

This is something I've wondered about in the smaller cruisers. Just last weekend we had winds blowing 20mph plus 90 degrees to the slip. My single engine 280DA with the full camper canvas up was a BEAR to get backed in! It took about 5 shots, but I finally got it with a brief lull in the wind speed.

 

I can think of more than a few times a bow thruster would have been handy self docking in a cross current or wind. That's in a 245. It would be nice to casually step on the dock and only have to worry about the rear cleat. Ignore any haters.
Any updates?

 

I will install the tunnel during the spring because it’s to cold now. I will update this tread when that work start.

 

Definitely will be interesting to see the completed project. A few questions.
- what is the purpose on the centerline beam that is in the picture? The one that you had to remove a section of.
- Was there a layer of plywood/fiberglass on top of that beam that you had to remove?
- Was there foam filling both void spaces (above/below the fiberglass)?
- It looks like the carpeted platform that you sectioned out has screws holding it on.? I see 4 in the photo. My 2000 260 doesn't have these, but maybe they are hidden in the carpet. Would it of been easier to just remove the whole platform to get access to the compartment?
It'll be good to see how you finish this off. Will you be sealing off the chamber to protect from water intrusion? Also I'll be curious to see the completed project on the exterior as well. It'd also be good to know if there's any effect on planning performance of course. I saw a 280 once with thrusters and the skipper of that vessel said the thrusters are above water when planing. Probably the same for you. Thanks for posting all of this.

 

I’ll try to answer your questions.

The centerline beam are a support for the floor and it did only have fiberglass in the bottom against the hull.
Whole are where filled with foam and it was wet probably due to condensation.
It’s not screws you see, it’s fastening points for a carpet.
I will not seal this of because I need to reach the electric motor for maintenance so there will be a hatch in the floor.

This installation will not affect planning because the tunnel will be over water when planning.

 

I'm confused. There was a "floor" on top of the wood beam/piece? Or does it just sit on top of the fiberglass hull for unknown purposes?

 

I believe he is talking about the little step up under the vee berth where vee berth table mount is. You can see it in the the pictures in the first post(s). It separates two foam sections and looks like it supports the table leg mount.