For the Amel SM and Amel 54 owners! Silicone Bow Thruster Seals 

That bow thruster is NICE!

Wow, thanks!

Glad it was helpful!

You are welcome! If you have any questions, let me know1 Ken

Very welcome

Hello Kevin, I have heard from one owner that they have lasted 4 years, and still going. The problem with the original lip seal is that they are not designed for the up down movement, they are designed for rotational movement. This is why some might leak. Mine do not, and would not suggest moving to the more expensive seals unless you see some water intrusion. I however decided to move forward with the new seals because I am redistributing the weight on Aquarius so that the ass goes up and the bow goes down. This weight distribution, if successful, will put the hole for the bow thruster closer to the waterline. Thus, there may be a chance that I see water intrusion in the near future. I did not end up "holding the bag" on the Lip Seal purchase, though with all the shipping costs I may have lost $100 or so. I didn't realize that some places would have extremely high shipping costs. But, all were delivered to the buyers, on time... These seals should last longer, and make for a much better seal. But, at the current cost, they might not be worth the investment for everyone. All the best, Ken

Maybe, but you have to think of the strength of the finished product. Will it crack? I am not sure what materials can be used in the 3D Printers. Most of the time 3D printers make the models, or prototypes, and not finished goods. And that is due to the mechanical requirements of the finished product. Best, Ken

Thank you too!

I was kicked out due to a few disagreements about rules for commenting on suppliers... I think, if you can make a positive comment about a supplier, you should be able to post a negative comment as well. If not, what good is it if you go to the Forum where all the comments are positive about everything? That AirCon guy did a great job on Aquarius, and all the Suppliers in the Caribbean are all WONDERFUL! Well, this is just WONDERFUL, if you just want to hear about how everything is just so WONDERFUL.... I want to read everyones real opinion, and I think I can figure out who is full of it, and who I can trust. Why should the OWNER decide who I can trust? Also, there remains a disagreement about the definition of "Financial Relationship". I believe if you negotiate a discount with Supplier A, and your customers pay you to get the discount from Supplier A, then you have a "financial relationship" with Supplier A. Yes, you may not get a commission, nor a kickback, but people are PAYING YOU, to get a DISCOUNT, that YOU negotiated. If many people posted negative comments about Supplier A, people that you trust, would you be more, or less willing, to pay for a discount from Supplier A? Lets say I had 10M subs, and they were all sailors... I negotiate a discount with Best MarineA , 10% discount for all my subs that pay me $20....... And all my subs paid me $20 to get that 10% discount with Best MarineA.... I got $200M in my bank account, O HAPPY DAYS. Best MarineA got some advertising, and MY SUBs got a discount for some potentially overpriced products... I negotiated a financial product with a company (Best MarineA)... People put money in my bank account to get the discount I negotiated. How is this not a "financial relationship"? Please, someone help me...... Anyway, the Forum may be a good place for some people. Just not my place anymore. Just like it would not be my preference to sail with the ARC.... But, this is just one persons opinion. Everyone should get many opinions from many people, and then, make their own! This is how freedom of speech got started, say 'bout, 245 years ago...... Sometimes I think we are loosing our grip on freedom of speech! But then again, just one mans opinion!

@@SailingAquarius I agree with every point you made but the one about freedom of speech. Our first amendment protects us from the government regarding speech, not private companies. I think a lot of people are getting confused by that especially in this particular political climate. Circling back around though, I'd much rather hear positive AND negative reviews and determine who I'll trust by their post history. Cheers! I really enjoy your technical videos.

Thanks Chris! Hope we can keep you watching! Fair Winds

Thanks ! For all your comments!!

You are correct! The design of the bow thruster hole is "A Tunnel". The top of the tunnel is above the water line. So, the only time you get water intrusion is when there are large splashing (like when you use your bow thruster), or going through large waves which obviously change the waterline for a short periods. Comparing the maneuverability of a 29 foot sailboat to a 53 sailboat, is not a useful exercise. They are completely different animals. Also, you have to take into consideration the keel, and rudder configurations. Not all 53 foot sailboats will be the same, some may not need a bow thruster. But, the Super Maramu does.

@@SailingAquarius not just that. If you have the benefit of prop walking it only works in one direction. It’s fun. In Annapolis there is Ego Alley. You run in to the end, spin, and run out. People applaud. Literally. It’s very tight. It’s fun if you’re skilled and terrifying if you’re not. Most owners don’t attempt it. I used to do wheelies on a stroked motorcycle. Now I make tight turns in a sailboat. Age. I think the Amel 55 has bow and stern thrusters. All Amels are busses. And that’s a valid design. There’s no better live aboard and ketches have a lower form and can be balanced to render neutral helm. It’s pretty seductive. And the sails are easier to handle although in 20 years I’ve never been overpowered or had a furler issue.

I think the Forum is done with me, and I am done with them. Not that I like Facebook, but that is the only place to connect with the owners.

:)

I will try to get out there before Christmas.

Dear Bo Jangles, What Kind of boat are you driving? The Amel Super Maramu does not have prop walk. It has a C drive and the prop is some distance from the rudder. 0 prop walk. So, you don't have that friend you were talking about to rely on when trying to maneuver a Super Maramu in tight spots. It's kind of like a Cat owner coming in with one engine. Yeah, it is possible, but better to have a real friend in a dinghy than try to get the boat into a tight marina and then hit another boat. There are also "real" sailors that complain that these "new" sailors are using GPS. I don't know of ONE person sailing the world right now that is not using GPS to navigate. I do know Amel owners that lost their bow thrusters, and had to enter marinas.... The smart ones called for assistance to get into the slip. I would call for assistance as well, and I have been living on a Super Maramu for 5 years now. Why would I risk a wind shift, or someone not catching a line the first time in order to show that YES I CAN DO IT without help. It's pretty easy to get some help, and most sailors are happy to help. I do it all the time. I love my bow thruster on Aquarius, and I don't care if someone thinks that I have small balls just because I use it. Fair winds, Ken

@@SailingAquarius Currently I am Skippering a Farr Grand Mistral 82, Also preparing a Whitbread 60 for the Newport to Bermuda and my personnel vessel is a Swan 53. But that is irrelevant. What does matter is that a vessel with a prop has prop wash and will deflect or walk the stern right or left depending on left or right rotation. True different boats will have different characteristics . Not knocking bow thrusters or the size of your testicles ;) more to the point of overreliance on them and associated downsides. Many time I wish I had one when short on crew. I can direct you and your viewer to some excellent in depth articles on the subject if you desire.

Mr. Bo Jangles, I would like you to add any information to this channel that would help me and those watching this channel. I would never be opposed to information, even if it made me look foolish. But, next time, I hope not to be so foolish.... You obviously have a lot of experience, and I would appreciate any informed comments on this channel. One of us is wrong about the QUESTION.. But, I don't really care if I am wrong, I just want to get it right in the future... So, we should settle this... I just have to figure out HOW??? The question remains.... Does a Super Maramu have enough Prop Walk to make a difference.... "There is no Prop Walk" (could be an incorrect statement), or maybe I am wrong, I should say, "There is not enough prop walk on Aquarius for me to detect it...." If you have not maneuvered a Super Maramu into a tight marina and tested the theory, I have by the way, then you may not be aware how the Super Maramu performs. The previous owner of Aquarius, who was 83, sailed boats for 60 years, first owner of Aquarius, wrote a book about Sailing Aquarius around the world.... Told me.... "Ken, there is no prop walk on this boat, so you're going to need that bow thruster... And, if it ain't workin, get help... You obviously have a lot of friends with boats, try to find one with a Super Maramu fitted with an Auto Prop... Maybe you can find out for yourself just how much Prop Walk it produces... You don't have to take my word about this... I have had this discussion already with several SM Owners ... Do you think it possible to produce a boat, and prop system that does not have any prop walk? Fair Winds, Ken

@@SailingAquarius One inevitable fact I have come away with after all these years is; those who might end up experts of course understand that an expert is someone who knows an impressive amount about next to nothing and a workmanship amount about a number of other useful things and zip about nearly everything else. Learning actually commences with humility. I find in all of mankind's engineering endeavors little cannot be proven by the laws of physics and mathematics. With that said, I will concede, after further research of the Amel and the engine's installation, as you have pointed out, incorporates a unique U-drive system. This integral drive system is mounted on the back of the keel with the propeller’s thrust is horizontal and is all carried on the just aft of keel far forward. Most certainly this would negate prop walk in forward and minimal at best in reverse. Sailing is first and foremost my hobby along with a partnership in small ocean racing business on the side. I have had the great fortune of being mentored by some of the best in the business and daily come away with new insights. My real job has me flying all over the world spending to many hours in the cockpit of an aircraft or holed up in a hotel room, hence armchair critique. I do enjoy your video blogs and heathy discussions. Hope to catch up with you out on the water sometime. Me and my wife's plans are similar to yours. We are based out of Newport RI and hope to get out there full time soon.

@@bojangles8837 Thanks for the follow up. I was sure that I was right since I have talked about this subject with many Amel SM owners.... But, you know the guy Neil deGrasse Tyson... I just love it when he sez - "You know enough about a subject to think you're right, but not enough about a subject to KNOW you're WRONG!" . I have been on the wrong end of that statement so many times.... So, I try to make sure that I learn from mistakes, and, I always try to give others a chance to show me that I am wrong.... Can't learn anything I you're always telling everyone what ya know... But, you did add a bit to my knowledge..... The actual reason ... The prop is not at an angle... Also, the fact that my Auto Prop flips when going into reverse probably adds to the of no prop wash. I did try to get the stern to move without the Thruster, but after 3 or 4 times I gave up. Some boats that I sailed on, you could fell the side movement when in reverse, but not on the Amel Super Maramu. Thanks for the information, now I have a short simple answer for those that disagree with my statement about Super Maramu's and Prop Walk. I do hope some day we can meet out here in the big blue. And, stay safe in the air where ever you are! Are you with United? Best, Ken

I was booted because the Owner of the Amel Forum disagrees with me on the definition of "Financial Relationship". I didn't think it was a big deal, but the Owner of the Forum took acceptation to my definition. The price of a standard lip seal which Amel originally put in the Super Maramu's is about US$7.00. But the new Silicon seals are $73 per set plus shipping, plus tax, plus...... And, you have to buy at least 20 sets to get the price of $73.00. I think this price should be cheaper, but there was not way to negotiate. Fair Winds!

Henri did stress comfort, ease of handling, and safety..... and Henri did A Great Job. The Super Maramu design is Awesome (in my opinion 2nd to none), though everything can be improved with time, changing technology, and some good innovation. I was not cut outta the Club due to this topic, though it may have been a contributing factor. The Super Maramu is like an F350 on the water. Go anywhere boat in comfort and style! All the best, Ken

Did they?