Carver 444 Stern Thruster Picture

[recenv]

I have a 2001, Carver 444 and I am going to be adding bow and stern thrusters. Does anyone have pictures of their existing stern thruster either through the back hatch or on the hard. I am very confident that I know exactly where to install it but I wanted to see a picture of one already installed to double check.
Thanks

[Tireless]

I have been looking into a stern thruster for my 2006 44 CMY. The shape of the hull under the cockpit makes it extremely difficult to install the Side Power tunnel on it. It may cause significant drag while on plane and it does not have a flat hull surface to mount it to. I abandoned my search for a stern thruster on my boat for this reason. I have not come across a boat like ours that has a stern thruster for this reason.

Our model of boat does not have a transom per say as the hull transitions up for the chine, above the drain plug, to and under the cockpit and it is “V” shaped. See attached picture of a hull on a 44 CMY.

Would love to see a picture of one installed if it is out there, so I will follow this post.

I spoke to a 44 CMY owner in B.C. who had a Side Shift installed on a boat that he just purchased. He was not happy with it as it was extremely under powered for this boat and his plan was to remove it. His only option may have been to install two, which I have seen mentioned on the forum. This would be double the cost and would turn out to be very expensive.

You mentioned that you know how you would install it. I would be interested in hearing what you would do.

I currently have a QL bow thruster. If I were to install a new/replacement I would go with the Side Power. It is a thru hull mounted unit. I would have preferred that to the bow/keel mounted unit by side shift, however, these are great for the DYI install.

Greg

[wkeith]

Hi there!
Recently hauled out to paint bottom and add underwater lights.
Thruster in view!
Walter

[wkeith]

Hi there!
Recently hauled out to paint bottom and install underwater lights.
My factory installed thruster in view.
Walter

[recenv]

Thanks Walter, but the Carver 466 has a significantly different bottom than the 444.
How do you like your new lights?

[wkeith]

Love the lights! You can even see them in the daytime. From Amazon about $200 each.

[Tireless]

Recenv;

I came across a Carver 444 CMY that was listed for sale on Yachtworld and noticed it has stern and bow thrusters.

[Tireless]

Recenv;

I came across a Carver 444 CMY that was listed for sale on Yachtworld and noticed it has stern and bow thrusters. The listing was here in Canada. I contacted the listing broker and he was kind enough to take some pictures of the thruster, both internal and external, and send them to me. I have found them to be extremely helpful for my needs.

The unit is a Side Power and would be the way I would go. It is also installed in a place that would not be impacted by the boat when it is on plane. You will need a good fibre glass guy to create the base on hull where the tunnel is secured.

You can also see where the motor is located between the stringers, with easy access from under the cockpit. Lots of room for the batteries as well.

I hope this helps you as much as it does me.

Greg

[recenv]

Thanks, I really appreciate it. This is exactly where I was going to place it. I knew, that I had to have someone create a flat base for the stern tunnel. With the interior placement set, I just wasn't 100% sure where is was going to pop out in the exterior.
By the way, I am using the new brushless Vetus BOWB thrusters. They are much quitter and more efficient and they have a built in 12V to 24V up charger, so you can use the 12 engine generator to charge the 24V bank.
Good Luck and let me know if I can be any help.
Bruce

[Tireless]

Bruce;

Thank you for the feedback. I will check out the Vetus system. I would love to see pics of the results of your efforts. Big project.

Greg