Why do I need a
Thruster?
A Thruster makes boat
handling, especially in tight harbours, much eaiser by gently moving the Bow
with a small independently driven prop without having to use the main engine.
I am buying a new
boat but haven’t decided to have a Thruster installed can it be fitted later?
Yes, there are plenty
of installers around. It may cost a little extra and will involve hauling the
boat and a few days of installation.
What Battery power
do I need?
Thrusters have very
powerful electric motors and it is recommended where possible to have a
dedicated Battery close to the Thruster with a separate charger. This saves the
problems of installing expensive, large cables from the main battery bank.
Can I install the
Thruster myself?
The majority of the
work involves choosing the location and installing the tunnel. A suitably
qualified person should always carry out this work.
Can a Lewmar
Thruster replace my existing installation/ I have a tunnel and standard fit by
another manufacturer?
Yes in most cases
providing the tunnel has the same internal diameter.
Manoeuvring around the
dock area can be difficult, but Lewmar's TT Thrusters make docking simple. The
revolutionary design of the TT propeller, the latest in Lewmar's long history of
custom thruster solutions, achieves perfectly even thrust in both direction for
maximum control and manoeuvrability. All Lewmar Thrusters have been extensively
tested, resulting in a smooth, efficient and quiet performance that will have
you docking like a pro in no time.
Take Control. Enjoy
your boating. Fit a Lewmar Thruster
As marinas get smaller
and berths get tighter, safely docking a boat is more challenging than ever.
Thrusters give you total control of your boat and allow you to manoeuvre into
and out of tight spots with ease
Some good reasons why
thrusters improve your boating
-
Docking your boat is
easy; it makes you look like a professional skipper.
-
Boating is meant to
be fun. Why end your day or week on the water with a stressful experience?
-
A thruster offers
the help you need to be in full control when docking and departing regardless
of wind conditions and currents.
-
Short of crew? A
thruster makes you less dependent on having a skilled crew. The independence a
thruster provides will allow you to use your boat whenever you want, whether
alone or with others.
-
Every boat can
benefit from having a thruster installed.
Choosing the right
Lewmar thruster for your boat.
Today most yachts or
motorboats over 45 feet have a bow thruster fitted as standard. The thruster
will usually meet the expectations of most customers when using the boat under
normal weather conditions. The sizes used by boat builders will vary depending
on the boat's intended usage and price level. In today's production boat's of
around 45-50, the typical thruster will push the boats bow against a direct side
wind of 20-22 knots.
For boat owners who use their boats in more demanding conditions or have a
strong current in their local marina, Lewmar can offer upgrades to a higher
performance thruster. However, few pleasure craft need a thruster that can push
the bow against a direct side wind of more than 25 knots.
The boat's wind area, the lateral wind draft area and the thruster's tunnel
position in the hull determine the thruster's performance on a boat. By knowing
these factors we can calculate the wind pressure on the boat and the centre
point of this wind pressure. However the wind pressure is seldom from right
angles and many boat superstructures are quite streamlined so we can reduce the
factor slightly. From these calculations we can determine what thrust is needed
to counter the wind pressure with the given thruster position.
Our
selection chart
To gain total control of your boat in combination with a bow thruster the
solution is to install a stern thruster, leaving the main engines to propel the
boat forward and backward as they were intended
TT Electric
For highly
controlled manoeuvring in restricted situations Lewmar's TT ELECTRIC Thrusters
represent a move forward in design and function. Easy installation and
maintenance free operation are benefits that will attract both builders and
owners. A comprehensive program of testing has proved that the new Lewmar
Thrusters deliver efficient, balanced and supremely quiet performance.
TT Hydraulic
A full range
of hydraulic thrusters from 185 to 300 are available with all the benefits of
the standard range TT thrusters. The compact hydraulic thrusters offer
significant weight saving and extend motor running time. Hydraulic versions need
to be run from an external power source.
IP Thrusters
IP Thrusters
are certified for use in Ignition Protected areas designed for gas boats.
-
Ideal for wet areas
such as Stern installations.
-
Covers can be
supplied as a kit. This would only be offered as a 'waterproof' solution as
the installation is the customer's responsibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Resin Is The Thruster Tunnel Made From?
The
tunnel thruster is made from polyester resin. The specification is:
Resin
: Scott Bader Crystic 397PA ( Isophthalic-NPG polyester resin)
Reinforcement : Vetrotex R099 EC24 2400 tex P122 continuous filament rovings
Aerator : K&K Polymerics BYKA501
Catalyst : Luperox GZS (organic peroxide type D liquid)
Finish
: peel ply
71%
Glass
29%
Resin
Remember to always take the peel ply off the tube before bonding.
TT Thruster problem solver
If
your thruster is having an issue then it is easy to work through and find the
fault. The attached file will walk you through step by step until you find the
issue.
Related files
TT problem
solver.pdf
What size Thruster do I need for my boat?
It
depends on your expectations. Please have a look at the size and power guide
below to help you choose the thruster that best suits your needs.
Related files
Thruster size
guide.pdf
Are swing thrusters easy to install
The
installation of a swing thruster takes a good level of fiberglass skill and we
would advise this to be undertaken by a professional. We have attached the
manual for you to have a look at to see what the install process is.
Related files
Lewmar Swing
Thruster manual S1.pdf
Can a Lewmar Thruster replace my existing installation/ I have a
tunnel and standard fit by another manufacturer?
Yes in
most cases providing the tunnel has the same internal diameter.
Can I install the Thruster myself?
The
majority of the work involves choosing the location and installing the tunnel. A
suitably qualified person should always carry out this work.
What Battery power do I need?
Thrusters have very powerful electric motors and it is recommended where
possible to have a dedicated Battery close to the Thruster with a separate
charger. This saves the problems of installing expensive, large cables from the
main battery bank.
I am buying a new boat but haven’t decided to have a Thruster
installed can it be fitted later?
Yes,
there are plenty of installers around. It may cost a little extra and will
involve hauling the boat and a few days of installation.
Why do I need a Thruster?
A
Thruster makes boat handling, especially in tight harbours, much eaiser by
gently moving the Bow with a small independently driven prop without having to
use the main engine.
