Power thruster--anyone use one?

[bscott]

I am thinking of ways to stabilize my under power. It has a tendency to wander off course and I am curious about the benefits of the Power Thruster.

Bob

[K9Kampers]

First try lowering the swing keel a few inches and/or , when at low speeds, lower one or both rudders.

[c130king]

Bob,

I have one. I think it works great. I definitely think it adds some speed. Based on what I have seen posted here I seem to get similar speeds with my 40HP that folks with 50-60 HP state they have. I have hit 18MPH w/o ballast in calm water. Not really sure if it adds any stability but I would think it adds a little.

But to be honest, it was on the boat when I bought it so I have never been without it so I can't compare to how it was before.

Go to my website...link on the right in my profile...and you can see some photos of it in the "Miscelaneous Photos" link.

Cheers,
Jim

[Nautek]

Bob

You will find that a hydrofoil on the outboard will give you lift and stability in turns
I am not sure about the power thruster as I have not used one however to get more thrust from a prop the prop must be extremely close to the nozzel that must surround the prop.

I have used these flat hydrofoils and they do work
http://www.whitworths.com.au/main_itemd ... lutePage=1

I have read somewhere not to use these with a Mac however with the high prowered outboards people are using I cannot see much drama with one of these on a 50hp motor apart from enhancing performance

Allan

[c130king]

I have read somewhere not to use these with a Mac however with the high prowered outboards people are using I cannot see much drama with one of these on a 50hp motor apart from enhancing performance

I have also seen this warning somewhere...maybe in the Mac manual...but the difference, I think, is that the hydrofoil is designed to lift the stern to get the boat on a plane. I don't think the powerthruster provides any lift so much as it focus's the thrust...thus speeding you up...thus maybe helping you get up on a plane.

Jim

[Terry]

Bob,

I have one. I think it works great. I definitely think it adds some speed. Based on what I have seen posted here I seem to get similar speeds with my 40HP that folks with 50-60 HP state they have. I have hit 18MPH w/o ballast in calm water. Not really sure if it adds any stability but I would think it adds a little.
Cheers,
Jim

That is very impressive (18MPh) for a 40HP engine. The very best I ever got was 18MPH on my BF50 and that was lightly loaded, on a fresh waxed hull, at the beginning of the season, back when the engine was newer, and with just my wife and I. Today I would be lucky to get 15mph, usually 13mph.

[c130king]

I am also relatively lightly loaded but I don't have a very smooth bottom...lots of dimples...from thick epoxy barrier paint...what did you think I meant?

This video is with my daughter driving with ballast in...everybody out of the water!!!

We hit 13+.

http://s132.photobucket.com/albums/q17/ ... rpower.flv

Of course about 5 hours later when we cranked up to come back in after a GREAT day of sailing in the Mississippi Sound that is when the warning horn came on...and it won't go off...and the motor is not running hot and it is not low on oil...

So based on all of this I think the powerthruster does add some speed...I think the website spouts 30%...don't know if it is that much for me.

Cheers,
Jim

[DaveB]

Terry, thats about what I get with the 1997 BF50 with a 4 blade prop. unballest but heavy with gear. I did get 15.2 knots (approx. 17.4 mph) when I bought the boat with it empty and 2 persons aboard with stock 3 blade. 800 lbs extra makes a 2-2.5 knot slower speed. Think why these Hot Shots love their 90 HP to get out of the hole and cruise at 16 knots 3/4 throttle.
Dave

Bob,

I have one. I think it works great. I definitely think it adds some speed. Based on what I have seen posted here I seem to get similar speeds with my 40HP that folks with 50-60 HP state they have. I have hit 18MPH w/o ballast in calm water. Not really sure if it adds any stability but I would think it adds a little.
Cheers,
Jim

That is very impressive (18MPh) for a 40HP engine. The very best I ever got was 18MPH on my BF50 and that was lightly loaded, on a fresh waxed hull, at the beginning of the season, back when the engine was newer, and with just my wife and I. Today I would be lucky to get 15mph, usually 13mph.

[bscott]

Thanks Jim--I'm gona install one on my E-tec 60--maybe it will give me that advertised 22 mph Roger claims

Bob

[jschrade]

That's a very interesting device and would be curious to hear how it fares on an E-TEC 60.

Speeds noted on my new with full ballast and of course no thruster:

6 people = 15 knots (Mom/Dad/Wife/Me and 2 teenagers)
2 people = 16.5 knots (1 Teenager and Me)

The 16.5 was in the rain on flat water the 15 knots was never on flat water.

Jim

[Boblee]

Just emailed them to see if they are suitable? for our boats and whether he will send them out here, could make that bit of difference as the 50hp combo is fairly marginal with load or rough water especially towing the heavy dinghy.

[Boblee]

Answer back sounds good especially the fuel as this is critical for our usage, was going to get a new prop but will wait until I try this.
Actually looking at the picture on the website it is a pretty simple thing to make but haven't time for experimenting at this stage, only a month to go woo woo

Bob we have put many Power Thrusters on Macgregors and they work great on them. More control forward and in reverse and you can go 30% farther on a tank of gas. The cost of the Thruster is 89.00 and shipping is 30.00 American. I do have a dealer that handles the size you would need which is a #2 Thruster. He is in Queensland.
If he is not near you I can ship them from here.

[Kelly Hanson East]

and you can go 30% farther on a tank of gas.

Thats a pretty bold claim and I doubt it can be supported with a reference.

[bscott]

Before I lay out $89 + frt. I need to know if their warrantee includes "lack of performance". I have not heard back from them yet.

Bob

[Boblee]

I would take that 30% in the same way as Rogers 20mph claim and if you look at it rationally it's an open statement just the same as it will depend on many factors including whether he means 30% less fuel or more distance both of which are totally dependent on speed and not in a linear way his claim could be correct in only one set of conditions or more.
I will be getting one as even a 10% fuel saving is worth it as it means I can go further and stay out longer before returning or worrying about not being able to beat a tide to get to a safe haven for the night when there is only one fuel depot within 3-500 k's and even there it means carrying fuel a long way by shanks pony.
This year on the main part of the trip a mate from Darwin is coming down to Wyndham as the wife doesn't want to go out and as he is experienced with sail we may be able to do a lot more but the Mac is not a fast boat and with 10m tides it would be going backwards without power especially with a wind kicking up froth.
Most of our running is at 1500RPM where the Etec really struts it's stuff, I would actually prefer to be at 1000RPM for maximum economy (besides sailing) but to beat against wind and tides to get from a-b before night or the change of winds etc sometimes it is neccessary to up the pace, what we have in our favour is that time doesn't matter within reason as there is plenty of fish and apparently fresh water at the head of the estuaries and creeks.