I finally completed my Bow Thruster project last month. With the exception of the new linear actuator, I bought from craigslist a very used MinnKota 70# thrust trolling motor and the aluminum material for the housing and mounting bracket were bought from a recycling yard. I did a trial run on the water last week and was very impressed making port and starboard turns but most impressive were the 360-degree circles. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to record it at the time. I’ll video record and post the Pontoon in motion in the upcoming weeks.
Here’s a short video of how the thruster is lowered and raised.
Re: Bow Thruster Completed
Posted: Sun Oct 25, 2015 8:22 am
by RcgTexas
I'm assuming it rotates 360 right?
Re: Bow Thruster Completed
Posted: Sun Oct 25, 2015 8:28 am
by Seon
Using the thruster and main motor, the toon rotates 360-degrees.
Re: Bow Thruster Completed
Posted: Sun Oct 25, 2015 9:06 am
by RcgTexas
In both directions ?
Re: Bow Thruster Completed
Posted: Sun Oct 25, 2015 10:06 am
by Seon
RcgTexas wrote:In both directions ?
Yes. I wired the motor to operate reversible.
Re: Bow Thruster Completed
Posted: Sun Oct 25, 2015 2:44 pm
by RcgTexas
OK that makes sense ! good job.
I was wondering if you were just going to do left turns like nascar.
Re: Bow Thruster Completed
Posted: Sun Oct 25, 2015 5:51 pm
by margaritaman
Nice project.
Re: Bow Thruster Completed
Posted: Thu Oct 29, 2015 7:12 pm
by LittleRiver
awesome.
Re: Bow Thruster Completed
Posted: Sat Oct 31, 2015 6:30 pm
by TDJ2591
I want one! Can you post more pics of the installation? I would love that set up with the ability to remotely control the trolling motor for fishing and docking. How much more difficult would that be?
Have you seen the thruster that BobG built? Check out the microcontroller that tells him the position of the motor. You guys need to combine forces and market this. Here are links to Bob's thruster.
Yes I've read Bobs posts and picked up several great info via pm's with him.
As for electronics, that's way over my pay grade . My objective was to be able to get my 28' Party Hut in the slip when the Delta wind is blowing 15+mph and as you see, I've accomplished that. Now I just want to kick back and enjoy taking the Toon out with the kids, grand kids and great grand kids, regardless of wind or no wind .
Re: Bow Thruster Completed
Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2015 12:06 pm
by BobG
Seon wrote:As for electronics, that's way over my pay grade
Yeah, but it's a lot of fun for me! I used to be an electronics engineer, but I've been a computer programmer since the 80's. I'm a true hack when it comes to the mechanical stuff, but I seem to manage, most of the time.
I'm assuming it rotates 360 right?
. My objective was to be able to get my 28' Party Hut in the slip when the Delta wind is blowing 15+mph and as you see, I've accomplished that. Now I just want to kick back and enjoy taking the Toon out with the kids, grand kids and great grand kids, regardless of wind or no wind