BCS bow thruster

[Keithleask]

Hi , I have a BCS 85 kgf bow thruster as fitted by a previous owner , I am trying to source a three bladed prop for the thruster .
The existing prop is very worn at the drive pin housing on the prop . These were I think Italian manufactured but I cannot get any contact or response from them . Taken over or out of business ? Anyone know if there are any companies who might be doing their spares etc?
thanks
Keith

 

[harvey38]

Have you been able to remove the prop, maybe worth doing so if it doesn't render the boat useless. At least you could get some accurate measurements and speak with - Bow Thrusters Direct | Sleipner Side Power & Quick Bow thrusters, I have no knowledge of them but maybe worth a call.

 

[matt_lake]

Hi , I have a BCS 85 kgf bow thruster as fitted by a previous owner , I am trying to source a three bladed prop for the thruster .
The existing prop is very worn at the drive pin housing on the prop . These were I think Italian manufactured but I cannot get any contact or response from them . Taken over or out of business ? Anyone know if there are any companies who might be doing their spares etc?
thanks
Keith

Keith,

There are a couple of prop kits in the Vetus range that might work for you. I'm almost certain your thruster uses a 185mm ID tunnel as the late BCS and early Vetus models were almost identical..

The 2 versions Vetus make for the 185mm thrusters are;

SET0088 - 6 blade, 178mm diameter, 13.7mm shaft.
SET0089 - 6 Blade, 178mm diameter, 12.2mm shaft.

Both versions use a stainless steel drive pin and collets to fix it to the shaft.

I have a couple of each version in stock if you want to message me.

Matt

 

[Keithleask]

Have you been able to remove the prop, maybe worth doing so if it doesn't render the boat useless. At least you could get some accurate measurements and speak with - Bow Thrusters Direct | Sleipner Side Power & Quick Bow thrusters, I have no knowledge of them but maybe worth a call.

hi thanks for the reply , yes I have the prop off and the wear is in the plastic housing where the drive pin sits . It’s probably around 40 mm forward and backwards . I managed to get through to Miti in Italy today who now supply spares etc for thecBCS thrusters .They told me that the prop
I need is not manufactured anymore and I should change the whole thruster ! seems ridiculous you have to buy a whole new thruster for around £2000 when all that’s wrong is a plastic prop that costs around £20 ! I will keep looking as I’m sure I can find something that I can use ( engineering background )
Re the Sleipner I fitted one of their stern thrusters a couple of years ago and it is a good kit , Nick from bow thrusters direct was a real help with the supply and advice but they don’t have any three blade props , plus the prop retaining mechanism needs to match the BCS which I think the Sleipner would not match
Thanks again
Keith

 

[Keithleask]

Keith,

There are a couple of prop kits in the Vetus range that might work for you. I'm almost certain your thruster uses a 185mm ID tunnel as the late BCS and early Vetus models were almost identical..

The 2 versions Vetus make for the 185mm thrusters are;

SET0088 - 6 blade, 178mm diameter, 13.7mm shaft.
SET0089 - 6 Blade, 178mm diameter, 12.2mm shaft.

Both versions use a stainless steel drive pin and collets to fix it to the shaft.

I have a couple of each version in stock if you want to message me.

Matt

Matt hi many thanks for your reply , I think you are correct on the tunnel ID and yes the plastic two part collets sit in a groove on the shaft . I think the shaft is 12mm ish? I only had a vernier caliper to check but couldn’t get it in the tunnel correctly to measure the shaft . I’ll take a micrometer down on Monday to check it . Do you want me to send pics of what I have ?
thanks a lot for the offer I hope one of them will do the job
Thanks again
Keith

 

[Keithleask]

Matt hi many thanks for your reply , I think you are correct on the tunnel ID and yes the plastic two part collets sit in a groove on the shaft . I think the shaft is 12mm ish? I only had a vernier caliper to check but couldn’t get it in the tunnel correctly to measure the shaft . I’ll take a micrometer down on Monday to check it . Do you want me to send pics of what I have ?
thanks a lot for the offer I hope one of them will do the job
Thanks again
Keith

Matt hi again , the shaft is 12mm and the prop is 178mm OD could I buy one from you please ?
thanks
Keith

 

[NBs]

Hi,

I think Twin dick is to day ovner BSC trusters brand.

Bow thrusters

NBs

 

[superheat6k]

Would it be possible to turn out the hub of the prop and turn a suitable insert from Delrin (nylon) to match into which a new pin slot is cut ?

If you can post some photos of the prop centre and shaft arrangement might be something I could do for you.

 

[Keithleask]

Hi,

I think Twin dick is to day ovner BSC trusters brand.

Bow thrusters

NBs

hi thanks yes twin disc are the owners , I called them in Italy on Friday but they do not have any props or will they be manufacturing any more . They suggested vetus are closer match to replacing the BCS one I have for a new vetus one,

 

[Keithleask]

Would it be possible to turn out the hub of the prop and turn a suitable insert from Delrin (nylon) to match into which a new pin slot is cut ?

If you can post some photos of the prop centre and shaft arrangement might be something I could do for you.

Hi thanks for the response , this might be an option if Matt who messaged me yesterday dies not have a vetus prop that fits . I am not sure how much wall there is on the hub for boring out but I will check later tonight and message again ,
Many thanks
Keith

 

[Keithleask]

Hi thanks for the response , this might be an option if Matt who messaged me yesterday does not have a vetus prop that fits . I am not sure how much wall there is on the hub for boring out but I will check later tonight and message again ,
Many thanks
Keith

 

[Keithleask]

hi some pics of the prop fyi , the pic with the two holes is where the front retaining plates with the collets attach to the prop and the moulded collets sit in a groove in the shaft . I don’t have pics of the shaft till Tuesday so I’ll ping them on then.
Let me know if you think what you suggest might be possible . I can send the prop to you as needed ,
Thanks
Keith
Hib

Would it be possible to turn out the hub of the prop and turn a suitable insert from Delrin (nylon) to match into which a new pin slot is cut ?

If you can post some photos of the prop centre and shaft arrangement might be something I could do for you.

Hi, I tried to send you some pics of the prop and collets etc but they wouldn’t send I think due to image size? I tried minimising and sending single pics but they still wouldn’t send . If you have an email or number I can post/ message you them ?
also Matt from MEC marine is sending me a vetus prop which we think might work .
maybe I will see how this works ( or not) and get back to you if we need to engineer something ?
Thanks again for your kind offer
Keith

 

[superheat6k]

hi some pics of the prop fyi , the pic with the two holes is where the front retaining plates with the collets attach to the prop and the moulded collets sit in a groove in the shaft . I don’t have pics of the shaft till Tuesday so I’ll ping them on then.
Let me know if you think what you suggest might be possible . I can send the prop to you as needed ,
Thanks
Keith
Hib

Hi, I tried to send you some pics of the prop and collets etc but they wouldn’t send I think due to image size? I tried minimising and sending single pics but they still wouldn’t send . If you have an email or number I can post/ message you them ?
also Matt from MEC marine is sending me a vetus prop which we think might work .
maybe I will see how this works ( or not) and get back to you if we need to engineer something ?
Thanks again for your kind offer
Keith

I've sent you my email address on PM.

 

[Boathook]

Hi, I tried to send you some pics of the prop and collets etc but they wouldn’t send I think due to image size? I tried minimising and sending single pics but they still wouldn’t send . If you have an email or number I can post/ message you them ?
also Matt from MEC marine is sending me a vetus prop which we think might work .
maybe I will see how this works ( or not) and get back to you if we need to engineer something ?
Thanks again for your kind offer
Keith

This may help to posting pictures
https://forums.ybw.com/index.php?threads/up-loading-photos.589632/

 

[superheat6k]

So Keith has sent me the prop and I think my ideas to make a new hub piece will be feasible.

The prop is plastic, the shaft I presume is stainless of some sort, the casing likely aluminium.

So what material do I turn the hub piece from - brass would be very strong, but duralumin would be very close anodically to the leg ? Would introducing brass cause an issue ? None of it is in direct contact with the leg.

 

[Keithleask]

This may help to posting pictures
https://forums.ybw.com/index.php?threads/up-loading-photos.589632/

Thanks
Keith

 

[Keithleask]

Matt hi many thanks for your reply , I think you are correct on the tunnel ID and yes the plastic two part collets sit in a groove on the shaft . I think the shaft is 12mm ish? I only had a vernier caliper to check but couldn’t get it in the tunnel correctly to measure the shaft . I’ll take a micrometer down on Monday to check it . Do you want me to send pics of what I have ?
thanks a lot for the offer I hope one of them will do the job
Thanks again
Keith

Matt hi again , just thought I’d let you know how I got on with the vetus prop .
Finished it today ( been too busy with work to get it done sooner ) in case you ever get asked again ( unlikely I know ) but the prop will fit after a bit of work . Firstly the drive pin on the vetus is 4mm whereas the BCS is 5 mm, needed to turn 1mm of each end where it sits in the housing in the prop leaving a 5mm middle section that goes through the 5mm hole in the drive shaft.
also the drive shaft is stepped , 12mm where the collets fit but it’s 13.42mm where the drive pin sits. I counter bored the rear of the prop ( where the pin fits ) to match the 13-42mm dimm to a depth of 10mm and it all fits like a glove now , collets lock up and only a little play on the backlash on the thruster bevel gear . Before there was around 40-50mm play in the drive pin housing .
All worked out fine mate thanks again for all your help , just thought you’d like to know
Best
Keith