Thruster install on 232, will post pics!

[Doctordrew01]

So, I just pulled the trigger on a Vetus 35 for my Gulfstream.
Doing the install myself.
I re cored the swim platform two years ago with Cosa board, glassed and gel coated it all myself. So I know I can handle this.
I just scoped under the the bow area and it’s totally clear. I’ll post pics of my project for you all!
Any one know which batteries are best with high amp hours for these thrusters? I can’t really find anything online.

 

[Hookup1]

I did a Vetus BOW45D on my 27' Islander. The thread below documents the journey. I went with a Duracell AGM 34 marine from Sam's Club. Lighter and has worked out just fine. Battery up forward to keep power run short. Placement is tricky because of placement parameters. Where are you located?

Islander bow thruster

Now there's a topic we can all get a grip on....pissing over the side. Do wide gunnels present a problem? Are cockpit drains fair game? Is it poor form to help hold onto a guy to keep him onboard? Ha ha ha. Russ you made my day.

www.greatgrady.com

 

[Doctordrew01]

Oh nice. Looks awesome!! I’m JUST north of Boston Ma. Did you fiber glass the entire length of the tunnel? Or just where it touches the sides.
I was worried about adding thickness to it but def want to cover the whole thing.

 

[Hookup1]

You only need to glass the tunnel in. Use high density filleting mixed in to thicken and work the gaps. Then glass material all around the tube/hull edge.

I used West System epoxy for the install. I recommend it for the adhesion to the polyester resin used to build the boat. A little more expensive but you don't need that much (a gallon or so). Better control of the "kick" time but be careful with larger batches.

Placement is the most difficult thing. Use chalk or grease pencil and mark up the hull. Side Power installation guide was helpful. At a minimum you should be 1 tube diameter below the water line and have 10" of tube across the bottom. Flare the front top and bottom of the hull around the tube. It was tough to get the margins on a 268 - going to be tight on a 232.

Mine is installed in the forward compartment between the v-bunks. Vertically mounted although it can be rotated.

Make sure the store gets the correct tunnel tube. I had to "teach" Defender - they didn't stock the tube and had to special order it. Vetus support in USA was helpful.

 

[Doctordrew01]

awesome! Thanks for the help!
I’ll post my install to share!

 

[Doctordrew01]

Here goes nothin!
First update.

I used a camera snake and looked under to see if it was clear and had some room- it was.
Then I cut to gain access under there. The center hole is going to be the finger hole to lift the panel.
Now I have to plan my attack for the holes. Im waiting to get ALL the parts to mark up where everything will line up before I do anything else.

 

[Doctordrew01]

My buddy scanned it with his phone and made a cad drawing to see how it would fit. Pretty cool stuff.
I also cut all the foam out, scraped it down and sanded with 60grit. Then wiped it down with surface prep in preparation of marking, cutting and glassing in the tube.

iCloud

Sign in to iCloud to access your photos, videos, documents, notes, contacts, and more. Use your Apple ID or create a new account to start using Apple services.

share.icloud.com

iCloud

Sign in to iCloud to access your photos, videos, documents, notes, contacts, and more. Use your Apple ID or create a new account to start using Apple services.

share.icloud.com

 

[Hookup1]

How deep is that compartment? Is there enough "headroom" to stand it up? They want 300mm or 11.8" across the bottom of the tube.

 

[Doctordrew01]

So it’s 18.5” deep.
I have to come up 5” from the bottom to get 11” tube length at the bottom of the tube.
The motor won’t bolt on straight up and down it’s going to be tilted 60deg forward and supported.

 

[Doctordrew01]

Fiberglassed a mock tube for the inside. I’m gonna mount the motor to it and dry fit it where I want it.

 

[Hookup1]

I would move the tube closer to the bulkhead at the bottom of the bulkhead. 3" or so. You need to be able to work putting the glass layers around it.

Also all the fiberglass in that area that will get fiberglass should be sanded with 60 grit inside and out before you glass anything in.

Last note is if you are using West System epoxy use the 206 slow hardener.