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Introduction
This guide covers the installation of a DockStar Smart Thruster to the stern of a boat. For bow thruster
installations, please see the "Bow Installation Guide".
There are a number of mounting configurations for installing the Smart Thruster to the stern of a boat.
We will discuss the four most popular configurations in this guide. These configurations are summarized
briefly here:
1. Mount the top and bottom fittings of the T-track assembly directly to the hull of the boat.
2. Mount a stanchion to the aft edge of the swim step and secure the T-track assembly to that
stanchion.
3. Mount the top fitting of the T-track assembly to a horizontal hand-rail and the bottom fitting to
the aft edge of the swim step.
4. Mount the top fitting of the T-track assembly to the hull or gunwale and the bottom fitting to
the aft edge of the swim step.
Some boats have features that will influence which of these configurations is best for a particular boat.
Here are some examples:
A boat with no swim step generally has no interference issues so the top and bottom fittings can
be mounted directly to the hull of the boat.
A boat with a gunwale cap protruding out from the stern may require that a spacer pad be
added to make sure the Smart Thruster does not hit the cap when retracted.
A tender mounted on the swim step may require angling the T-track Assembly to fit between
the tender and the swim step. Mounting the top fitting to the hull or gunwale and the bottom
fitting to the aft edge of the swim step is a good way to accomplish this.
A boat with a swim step located high above the water line will require the T-track assembly to
be mounted rather vertically to make sure the Smart Thruster motors are positioned sufficiently
deep in the water. The stanchion mount or the hand-rail mount work well for mounting the T-
track assembly vertically. Ideally, the motors should be at least 8 inches below the surface of
the water when deployed.
Care should be taken to avoid the main engine's exhaust from hitting the T-track assembly or
any part of the Smart Thruster.
Some sail boats with "sugar scoop" sterns may require creativity in order to mount the Smart
Thruster to the stern. Often, it is advisable to add a stanchion or additional railing to provide an
adequate mounting point for the upper part of the T-track assembly.
The thruster does not need to be installed on the center line of the boat. In fact, it typically is not for a
stern installation. The thrusters should be mounted inboard enough to make sure that neither prop
extends out past the side of the boat, with some extra clearance to avoid hitting the props on the dock
when not parallel to the dock. If possible, it is best to position the Smart Thruster so it is not in line with
Stern Installation Guide
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Summary of Contents for DockStar Smart Thruster
- Page 1 If possible, it is best to position the Smart Thruster so it is not in line with...
- Page 2 Smart Thruster to the stern of their boat. Getting Started The Smart Thruster is mounted to the stern of your boat by first mounting a stainless tube and T-track assembly to your stern and then sliding the Smart Thruster up and down on this T-track. The T-track assembly is mounted in one of the four configurations described below.
- Page 3 The T-track is positioned on the stainless tube such that the Smart Thruster will be held parallel to the mounting surface of the T-track assembly. If the stern is curved, the thruster will be parallel to the tangent of the curved stern at the point of mounting.
- Page 4 The picture on the right shows another hull mounted installation. In this case, a slat was removed from the swim step to allow the thruster to slide up and down through the swim step opening. This solution provides for vertical mount to achieve good motor depth and avoids interfering with the tender and other usage of the swim step.
- Page 5 The stanchion is 32” long. The T-track is 22” long, and the stainless tube for the track is 25” long. To mount this T-track assembly configuration it is only necessary to drill the four holes for the stanchion base and to secure it with the four screws, fender washers, and nylock nuts.
- Page 6 Notice how close the stanchion base is mounted to the aft edge of the swim step to allow the Smart Thruster to clear the swim step when deployed and retracted. Configuration 3: Hand-rail Mount This configuration has the added advantage of providing a hand rail for safety and convenience.
- Page 7 The “Hand-rail Mount Installation Kit” configuration of T-track assembly is shown above. The top of the assembly is on the right. A hinged top-slide secures the top of the assembly to the horizontal hand rail. A swivel hinge is used to secure the bottom of the assembly close to the aft edge of the swim step. There is a rubber spacer that fits underneath the swivel part of this hinge.
- Page 8 If not, recheck. Also, make sure the two hinge fittings are properly located so as to allow clearance for the Smart thruster to come off the rail at the top of the T-track and to slide clear of the edge of the swim step and any obstacles at the aft of the boat. Remember, once you cut the stainless tube it cannot be lengthened.
- Page 9 The picture below shows the distance between the two end-cap rims and the length of the stainless tube (including the section inside the end-caps). The difference between these two lengths is nominally 2.4 inches. This is useful to know since it is easier to measure the end-cap rim to rim distance. End-cap rim to rim distance Stainless tube length Once cut, the top end cap must be secured to the stainless tube.
- Page 10 T-track. Drill this hole carefully because if it is not well aligned the pan-head screw will interfere with the Smart Thruster sliding along the track. The end-cap is cast 316 stainless steel with a thickness of about 1/8”. It is difficult to keep the drill bit from “walking”...
- Page 11 Step 10: Secure the top end-cap to the stainless tube: Remove the top end-cap from the tube. Insert the end-cap nut holder (with nut) into the tube lined up with the hole just drilled. The nut holder should be oriented so that its convex surface is on the side closest to the newly drilled hole.
- Page 12 T-track assembly to the aft edge of the swim step. This must be close enough to the aft edge to allow clearance between the Smart Thruster and the swim step. There is a rubber Page 12/ 16...
- Page 13 The bottom with the swivel hinge is on the left. The lanyard is on the upper right. The block and sling that secure the lanyard to the Smart thruster are shown on the upper left. To the left of the lanyard are the four sets of 10-32 flat head screws, fender washers, and nylock nuts used to bolt the two hinge fittings to the boat.
- Page 14 If not, recheck. Also, make sure the two hinge fittings are properly located so as to allow clearance for the Smart thruster to come off the rail at the top of the T-track and to slide clear of the edge of the swim step and any obstacles at the aft of the boat. Remember, once you cut the stainless tube it cannot be lengthened.
- Page 15 To do this, slide the sling over the top of the Smart Thruster’s shaft. Grab the block and wrap it around the motors going toward the T- track guide first and around to the other side of the motors.
- Page 16 Dimensional drawings of the Smart Thruster are provided below for your reference. Page 16/ 16...
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