Mounting assemblies for marine vessels

A method of installing a thruster on a variety of marine vessels having a liner and a hull separated from the liner by a gap, wherein a through-bore in which the thruster is to be installed axially extends through the liner, the gap, and the hull, and wherein because of differences in manufacturing and/or materials, at least one dimensional variance exists in at least one of the liner, the gap, and the hull amongst the variety of marine vessels, the method comprising:

• predetermining an axial position in the through-bore for the thruster by comparing a length characteristic of the thruster to a distance between an outside of the hull alongside the through-bore and an outside of the liner along the through-bore;
• installing a mounting assembly over the through-bore, the mounting assembly having a base member and an adjustment member configured to support the thruster relative to the through-bore, the adjustment member being axially adjustable and fixable in place relative to the base member to accommodate installation of the thruster at the axial position despite said at least one dimensional variance;
• adjusting the adjustment member relative to the hull to at least in part so that the thruster is located in the axial position;
• and
• installing the thruster in the through-bore.

A marine vessel comprising:

• a liner and a hull that is separated from the liner by a gap, wherein a through-bore axially extends through the liner, the gap, and the hull, and wherein because of differences in manufacturing and/or materials, at least one dimensional variance compared to other marine vessels exists in at least one of the liner, the gap, and the hull;
• a thruster installed in the through-bore;
• and
• a mounting assembly which mounts the thruster to the marine vessel, the mounting assembly having a base member installed on the liner over the through-bore, and an adjustment member supporting the thruster relative to the through-bore, wherein the adjustment member is adjustable and fixable in place relative to the base member to accommodate installation of the thruster at a different axial position in the through-bore so as to accommodate said at least one dimensional variance.