Carefree Mooring with Vetus Bow Thrusters and Vetus Stern Thrusters.
Some drivers park their car in the smallest of spaces, as if it were some sort of sporting achievement. Others prefer to drive on and look for an easier place to park. The situation with boats is quite different: either you have to go to your own berth in the marina or proceed to the space allotted to you by the harbour master. In both cases, your most careful manoeuvres may be completely spoiled by wind and tide, resulting in scratches to the boats gel coat or paint, or even worse! This is the reason why an increasing number of boaters want the comfort of a bow thruster , and even a stern thruster too. Let's be honest: who wants to see his "après sail" with family or friends spoiled by such an occurrence?
It's no surprise that an increasing number of boat builders install a Vetus Bow Thruster and / or Vetus Stern Truster as standard equipment. Existing craft can also be easily retro-fitted, whether the hull is made of wood, steel, GRP or ferro-cement.
Choosing the correct Vetus Bow Thruster or Vetus Stern Thruster
Having a Vetus bow / stern thruster gives you positive control of your boat, even at low speed and regardless of wind, current or tight docking conditions. This overview of the relevant factors will help in the selection of the correct model. Choose Ignition Protected thrusters for installation on petrol engined boats.
Thrust
The thrust force determines the effectiveness of any bow thruster and not the output of its electric motor (in hp or kW). This thrust is the result of a combination of the following factors: The power of the electric motor, the propeller shape, dimensions and RPM and the efficiency losses in the tunnel. Vetus bow thrusters and stern thrusters have a thrust of between 17 and 23kg per kW motor power! In addition, a smaller tunnel diameter allows the tunnel to be installed further forward, which increases the turning moment of the boat. Vetus thrusters provide the optimum combination of high thrust efficiency and low resistance while under way. Bow thruster tunnels are available in aluminium, GRP or steel to suit different hull materials.
The Bow Thruster Tunnel
The smaller the diameter of the bow thruster tunnel, the less resistance it will cause when under way. In addition, a smaller diameter also allows the tunnel to be installed further forward which enhances the turning moment of the boat. Vetus has obtained the optimum compromise between high efficiency of the bow thruster and low resistance when the boat is under way. For vessels made of steel, aluminium and GRP, Vetus offers steel, aluminium or GRP bow thruster tunnels.