Just finished up the bow thruster intall on the boat. Had CSR in Seattle give the bottom a heavy sanding and 2 coats of Cukote while concurrently glassing in the new thruster tube. Once the tube was finished and the motor was mounted we headed back to the shed and after work this week I spent each evening working on the electrical and rigging. Finished up this evening and gave it a quick test tied up at the dock. Looking forward to going out and filling up with fuel tomorrow and giving the new thruster a test into some side current and wind while docking. System is a Side Power SE100 24V 2 AGM Group 31 Batteries with 1/0 Cables Pro Mariner 12Amp Charger Dual Bank Blue Seas Battery Switch Going to Lauderdale show and plan to look into adding Ongaro single levers with integrated thruster controls with a y harness. Anybody have any experience positive or negative with single lever controls that have thuster control built in? Currently have Ongaro levers on the boat already.
Nice install. looks clean. I know the cabo 40 has a good of space below the forward companion way. I thought about putting a thruster in the 43 ocean, but the sewage tank is below the master berth and the plumbing for the forward head takes up all the space up there. Would have been too much of a PITA to reroute everything in the tight space
I had a 40 Ocean Yachts previously and always wanted a thruster but they design the boat that it is a near impossible install. Cabo had hatches already where you needed to have access and made it very easy to install after the boat was built.
Little surprised at the sharp edges and lack of fwd fairing or aft relief? Maybe not seeing the picture right?
I will find a better pic. I had the Side Power rep come by the yard and he noted the nice rounded edges and fairing forward. I am on the boat now tinkering. Did some testing and it performs great. Very happy with outcome. I will find ya a better pic to show shape.
Thought it might just be the picture angles. Will be nice to have when you are single handling, almost like another "helper" onboard!
Took the boat out briefly yesterday for testing and thruster ran great and moves the bow as I had hoped. Attached are some pics to better show level of fairing CSR used. In these pics the bow has been sanding down and barrier coat applied to thruster work area. This area received paint prior to entire boat getting 2 coats.
Nice job! I'm start reseraching on a bow thruster for my OY52SS. Tube will be installed professionally but I would like to do the rest. I like your set up. Did you installed motor and wiring yourself?
The yard did the tube and set the motor. I did the rest. It is pretty strait forward. Sizing cables correctly for length of run is biggest consideration along with finding ideal location for everything.
I just purchased a 40' Cabo convertible and during my research for this boat I did see one with a bow thruster. I did not realize a bow thruster was an option in the 40 Cabo's. I thought it was an after market option. Its not a must have in my opinion as this boat handles well, however in a tight marina, a bow thruster does come in handy. What bow thruster manufacturer did Cabo originally install in the 40' Convertible? Below bow thruster toggle is on a 2005 Cabo 40' Convertible mounted on centerline between the two GPS/Radar displays.
The Wesmar thruster knob above is my boat...by no means is a thruster necessary to maneuver the 40FB, but I will admit that I use it from time to time. I am not sure which manufacturer Cabo used for any factory-installations. The thruster on my boat was a dealer-installed option when the boat was delivered to its original owner by HMY yacht sales in Florida back in 2005.
I'm working to meet with the owner on this 40' Cabo that just had this bow thruster installed. Looks like a nice installation.