Last year I purchased an old HR 352. As the boat is very tricky to handle in reverse mode I am intended to install a bow thruster (Vetus or Volvo QL). I would like to know HR long keeler owners with experience with such an installation who can give me some information. Thanks.

Alexander B. (Switzerland)

By Marco Thyssen on Monday, August 06, 2001 - 07:19 pm:

Dear Mr. Beck,

I can only support your idea. In my case I "only" have a HR 29, but essentially the underwater configuration of our vessels is pretty much similar. After some nasty situations, one due my own stupidity, admittedly, I got out the drill and made two holes in the forward section of my boat and installed the smallest Vetus bowthruster. Ideally I would have liked to install it lower and further back, but I had a water tank in the way. Nevertheless, the experience is more than positive. You can literally turn the boat around on a stamp! Even reversing into my mooring slot with a cross wind is no longer a problem. Fantastic. Today my neighbours too are used to the extra gadgetry in my bows as the boat unexpectedly moves from right to left.
In my case it was 3 days building in the bowthruster; a lot of time spent making the holes and getting the tunnel properly fitted into the hull. Then laying all the heavy cable work from batteries aft to the motor in the forepeak. The Vetus unit is quite light, so there have been no adverse effetcts through too much weight in the nose, though I don't think that would pose a problem in a 352 anyway.
Experience after more than 2 seasons: very, very positive. Would I do it again: definitely.
Hope this helps

By srope on Wednesday, August 08, 2001 - 08:54 am:

I've had a Vetus 80kgf bow thruster fitted to my HR 42 ketch and I agree wholeheartedly with Mr. Thyssen. Close-quarter manoevring is transformed. Vetus are very helpful if you need advice on model selection. There is no noticeable effect on boatspeed too. You will be amazed!

By Nick Grimes on Sunday, August 12, 2001 - 08:39 pm:

I bought HR352 No735 just under 2 years ago and expected to have similar problems. However she has proved to be the most docile and predicatabe boat I have ever owned under power (previous boat had fin keel and big engine with a "Barn Door" rudder). She has the 43HP Volvo 2003T with a fixed 3 blade prop. To get her to behave you must not be frightened of using plenty of bursts of thottle to get her moving and then if you accept that her stern will always want to find the wind, albeit very slowly, you should not have a problem. My boat is lauched from a slipway at the head of a narrow channel which reqiures me to reverse the boat in a staight line for some 15 boat lengths before I can turn her. Even in 20 knot cross winds she behaves perfectly if you get her moving, similarly I have no problem in getting her into a berth stern to unless there is a force six blowing. My suggestion is that you persevere. I am now glad I did not waste a small fortune on a thruster - although I would have gladly fitted one before I had acquired the "knack". Good luck and happy sailing.

By Alexander Beck on Wednesday, August 22, 2001 - 02:01 pm:

Marco, Nick and "srope",

many thanks for your suggestions. As we are intended to start next week for a trip along the Croatian coast we will have the opportunity to test again our HR 352 without bow thruster. Then I think we will have enough experience to decide whether to install such an item or not.

Alexander Beck

By mehmet olmez on Thursday, May 08, 2003 - 11:47 am:

i would like to renew all wiring installation hr352 scandiavian model, where can i find wiring diagram for hr352.
thanks,

By Tony Whittingham on Thursday, May 20, 2004 - 04:54 pm:

I am considering purchasing a 352, but standing headroom for a 6 foot 3 inch (190.5 cm person is essential in the saloon and preferably in the galley and head too. I have read somewhere that the saloon headroom is 189.5 cm.
I would be greatful if anyone could tell me if it would be possible to lower the cabin sole (by shaving a few cm off the top of the support beams underneath) to give 6 feet 4 inches (193 cm)headroom?