Hi, I'm new to this game of model building, so iv done myself a real favour and started learning from the deep end.. Anyway Im looking for a bit of advice regarding stern thrusters. I'm presently building a 1:75 scale Maersk Blazer from scratch, although only about 2/3 of the way through the skeleton of the hull. On the most part i know roughly what I'm going to use for the running gear when it comes to installing it, however I'm not sure about stern thrusters. The two thrusters on the vessel are housed in the Skeg, on the model this gives me plenty of height but only about 35mm of width (at the keel) in which to mount them, as very few of thrusters available on the market (that iv seen) have minimum installation dimensions stated.
With the functionality i want to create in the model i do want two working stern thrusters, does anyone have any advice on what thrusts i may be able to fit into the limited space, or should i consider making some from scratch? in this eventuality does anyone have any plan's / diagrams of thrusters that they have made or used?
ps the tunnel's for thrusters have a scale diameter of 21mm.
Merry Christmas!

I am not familiar with the model you are building, but if it is twin screw, you really don't need bow or stern thrusters. Make the motors operate independently, or use one of the available mixers, and you can make the boat turn on its beam ends by going ahead on one motor and astern on the other. With practice you can almost make it walk sideways.

As to thrusters I installed a Raboesch bow thruster in my Model Slipways Loyal tender. It's a single screw, flat bottom boat. The thruster helps with close-in, low speed maneuvering a lot.

Something like this perhaps? You would have to build it yourself.

Water pumps are an option.

PeterS used one for each direction.
https://picasaweb.google.com/1052025...EILLEBOURBON02

A gear pump could pump would be reversible, if you can find one to suit your needs.

I had a quick look on youtube at the mixers mentioned ( i think i saw mostly v-tail), they look like they might hold the key? my lack of RC know-how may show here, but with the use of two mixers (one on the throttle stick/channel to be able to control the two motors almost independently, in as much as run one ahead and the other at stop or both AH/AS for normal sailing) and a second mixer on the rudder stick/channel to allow one of the rudders to kick over to 45 degrees ( i.e. port rudder 45 deg to port and run the port motor ahead to gain thrust to stbd' ) the opposite for thrusting to port.
I know the idea should work because the DP system onboard can be set to use either Prop/Rudder as a thruster when needed, its just a case of if its possible to set up the RC gear to act in the same way? then maybe fit one Raboesch Mini bow thruster in one of the two tunnels in the skeg anyway? Im open to suggestions / corrections as this is my first build and i have zero knowledge of RC gear / setting up or what can be achieved. Thanks for the posts so far.

Try Raboesch 108-20

I would recommend a marx bow thruster.Completely different design to the rest on the market.The motor is clamped to the top of the tube by a wrap round clip that is only about eight millimetres wide and the motor mounting flange is about thirty mil wide ;this goes to the top of the tube.This has a proper propeller as apposed to an impeller which makes other units too wide.Only downside is if i remember rightly the bore is 25mm.Check out cornwall model boats webside (uk) and there is quite a good picture.

Also, go check out the speed controls with/mixers, that the r/c tank guys use. I have one in my Snowcat, it's great! CB

Have a lok at this thread

http://www.modelboatmayhem.co.uk/for...?topic=34432.0

thruster
http://www.hobby-lobby-modellbau.com...--5101-11.html
John

Originally Posted by Umi_Ryuzuki

Water pumps are an option.

PeterS used one for each direction.
https://picasaweb.google.com/1052025...EILLEBOURBON02

A gear pump could pump would be reversible, if you can find one to suit your needs.

I know someone who did this with a car's windshield washer pump. worked well, perhaps thats an option for you.

Hello joj214 ??????

That's good news a new maersk Builder.
I new the B type very well and it will be a great model.
At the moment after finishing the Maersk Master (scale 1/50) I am start building the Maersk Topper.

the wooden hull is nearly finished before making the negative.

I have already made the Controlled pitch propellers (80mm)
Also the bow and stern thrusters are ready.
For the maersk master I used plumbing tees.
but My goal was to get it more lookalike so the resold was complete self made.
My thrusters are also 35 mm in the stern and 48 mm in the bow,
Here some photos.
More photos you can find in the picasa album.
https://picasaweb.google.com/1098086...ternThrusters#

I will sent you later a PM with more information

Gr Leen



















































This is the complete propulsion unit incl working CPP's
Exact copies of the MANDiesel CPP

Geeeeeeze! That's awesome. Pete

joj take a look at this site. It worked very well for me. Hope it helps and it was cheap too. Pete
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showt...light=pushboat
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showp...0&postcount=65

Leen....WOW

I thought the CCP stern drive was good....amazing work. Thank you for posting details.

Originally Posted by norgale

joj take a look at this site. It worked very well for me. Hope it helps and it was cheap too. Pete
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showt...light=pushboat
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showp...0&postcount=65

I don't think this will work with only 35mm available space