Bow Thruster B473

[SailJazz]

Hello all,

I am a new owner of a 2002 B473 (closed the deal last week)  and after wandering around the Seattle Boat Show, I am considering having a bow thruster installed.  I  am curious which thruster tunnel size and H.P. anyone has, and if you have found it adequate to do the job.   

[Kidd, James]

All I can say is that the Thruster that came with my 2004 473 is certainly helpful, but it needs to be more powerful.

When you really need it in a strong wind, its not nearly as effective as it should be.

 

So find out which size comes “standard” and go larger…

 

Good luck.

 

james

 

James A. Kidd

Regional Manager

Kaydon Bearings, Northeast Office

Office / Cell: 617-448-2575

jk...@Kaydon.com

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[Mohammad Bayegan]

I have a 6 HP on B 49 factory installed and it is under power, in good briz doesn't do much.

----- Original Message -----

From: Kidd, James

To: benetea...@googlegroups.com

Sent: Thursday, January 31, 2013 10:58 AM

Subject: RE: {Beneteau Owners} Bow Thruster B473

All I can say is that the Thruster that came with my 2004 473 is certainly helpful, but it needs to be more powerful.

When you really need it in a strong wind, its not nearly as effective as it should be.

 

So find out which size comes "standard" and go larger.

[Mark J Wilme]

We have a 6hp on our 381 and would go larger if we had the space under the v berth. My advice, put the largest one you can in the space and put a dedicated battery close to the unit (I am partial to Lifeline AGM's) with some form of remote DC-DC charging from your primary charging source or house bank (unless you go hydraulic of course).

Mark Wilme
Mark....@Gmail.com

www.linkedin.com/in/markwilme

[Cap Munday]

You might consider doing without for a year and see how you make out. We have over 20,000 miles and 12 years on Zydeco without one. Seems that most of the time when we might want one it's blowing harder than the thruster could handle. I end up doing just fine in spite of the lack of that expensive device by adjusting how to approach or depart the dock.

 

Some times when in a narrow spot and the wind is blowing hard we stay put to await better conditions. When going into narrow spots with wind and current I sometimes make several drive-bys to check out the situation before leaping into the breach. If I figure it's not gonna work I'll find an alternative. But, I have to admit that when in a narrow spot and I am trying make a tight 'U' turn, a thruster would be a big help. Prop walk is a big help, particularly in reverse, but sometimes it's not enough.

 

The beauty of the 473 is being able to drive it in reverse with excellent maneuverability. Another big help for us is having rub rails installed by AYS. Being able to use pilings to 'warp' out of narrow slips and into narrow fairways is helpful. Sometimes we use double lines to warp into and particularly out of narrow spots. A few times I have handed a line to a neighbor to help us warp out of narrow spots. In light airs this would be a great spot to have a thruster, but heck, I already have the dock line handy.

 

Having spent lots of time watching folks maneuver with and without thrusters it seems that that 55+ foot boats benefit greatly because they can have large thrusters that boats with limited space can't fit into the somewhat limited space available.

 

Cap Munday

S/V Zydeco

Beneteau 473

[Howell Cooper]

Thrusters are wonderful.  We do not have one on our 411 and as has been mentioned before, we learned to dock to the old fashioned way (without one).  That said, we have noticed many crews that simply could not dock in almost any condition without one.  Not to suggest in the slighest way that thrusters replace seamanship but it is easy to see how one might become dependent.  A fellow near us must have a turbo charged one because it will wake the dead in any boat nearby  (reminds me of a '65 Plymouth starter).  He also refuses to use the wheel to dock.  No sir! He gets close and by using a combination of thruster and power, he gets in.  That thruster is so noisy that anyone within three docks can tell when he arrives-- wee hours of the morning be danged.  Just saying. 

 

Cooper

 

----- Original Message -----

From: Kidd, James

To: benetea...@googlegroups.com

Sent: Thursday, January 31, 2013 10:58 AM

[AB]

Found a wiring harness for the B473. I would recommend rigging your aftermarket similar to keep it as Beneteau would have built it.

http://www.frenchboatforum.com/forum/?mingleforumaction=viewtopic&t=4#postid-4