The proven propulsion and manoeuvring system even for extreme operating conditions
The Schottel Pump-Jet (SPJ) is a special-purpose azimuth thruster that provides full thrust in all directions. It is[ds_preview] distinguished by its compact and robust design and covers at present the power range from 50 to 3,500 kW. A particular characteristic of the SPJ is its ability to operate in shallow water. Supplying full thrust at a minimum immersion of 150 to 750 mm, depending on the model involved, it can also be used on vessels with a very shallow draught.
The SPJ has proved its worth as a reliable manoeuvring system, take-home device and main propulsion unit on a wide range of watercraft including motoryachts.
Since the small rudders of fast yachts have very little effect at slow speeds, manoeuvring in harbours and locks is considered extremely difficult. The bow thrusters do allow good course stability in the case of docking with a side wind, but the helmsman has no control over the stern of the motor yacht, where the largest lateral wind surface generally is.
Help can be provided in this case by the Schottel Pump-Jet as a stern thruster. At slow speeds it can supplement the small rudder of the yacht, allowing traversing in locks or quay complexes. The Schottel Pump-Jet delivers full thrust through 360°. This means no matter whether you dock forwards, sideways or backwards, the SPJ never lets the helmsman down.
But it isn’t just the on-board crew who benefit from the Pump-Jet’s advantages – the shipyard and the designer also profit from Schottel expertise. The Pump-Jet can simply be installed in a well, a small aperture in the vessel’s hull, without weakening the structure of the vessel. No complicated welding or levelling work is required. The compact construction allows installation astern, between the shaft installations and the rudder system, without complicated and expensive design work on the afterbody.
Installation of an active steering unit in the stern is often the subject of criticism, since the units’ large apertures increase the vessel’s resistance, and the inflow to the propellers is poor. Not so with the SPJ. The effect of its small apertures on water flow characteristics is insignificant. There is thus no reduction in the top speed of the yacht.
The main features of the SPJ:
• Compact design, minimum loss of displacement, especially significant for lightweight shallow-draught vessels
• Installation flush with the hull
• Operation possible in water depths < 0.5 m
• Low-noise operation due to the encapsulated design
• Use as manoeuvring aid in the bow that can additionally be used to provide forward thrust
• Virtually no risk of damage due to grounding or floating debris
• No danger for divers and swimmers
