Remove bowthruster props in water

jimmy_the_builder

jimmy_the_builder

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Anyone done this? I've never even removed them on the hard; I remember there's a hex socket cap holding the anode on - but does this hold the props on as well?

I'm asking because in the four weeks I've been away from the boat the bowthruster props have become sufficiently barnacled up to render the bowthruster u/s; easiest solution would be to remove the props, if possible, clean them up and then refit. Cleaning them in situ isn't possible (I've tried).
 
jimmy_the_builder said:
Anyone done this? I've never even removed them on the hard; I remember there's a hex socket cap holding the anode on - but does this hold the props on as well?

I'm asking because in the four weeks I've been away from the boat the bowthruster props have become sufficiently barnacled up to render the bowthruster u/s; easiest solution would be to remove the props, if possible, clean them up and then refit. Cleaning them in situ isn't possible (I've tried).
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You couldn't hire a couple of weighty lads to sit on the stern and pop the bow up so you could jet the bowthruster tunnel?

I'm a bit booked up but mite be able to make an exception...:D
 
benjenbav said:
You couldn't hire a couple of weighty lads to sit on the stern and pop the bow up so you could jet the bowthruster tunnel?

I'm a bit booked up but mite be able to make an exception...:D
Click to expand...

Barnacles: takes more than a jet washer to shift them, unfortunately. (And I think it would take a lot of weighty ladies to move the bow up that much... )
 
Depends on the model of thruster. The two Vetus ones I have wrestled with both had a Phillips screw in the centre of the prop and various themes on ring anodes behind. Cant see why a diver couldn't get them off and back on again - only issue is that I always use threadlock and I cant see that being possible underwater
 
On my Vetus, the anode is behind the prop, held on by the hex nut screw. Fiddly job to get at iirc Jimmy, not something I fancy doing underwater. I'm amazed that the jet wash won't move the sea food.
 
I've removed a few sidepower props in the water. I think it's a 5mm Allen key first to remove the anode and then either a 19mm or 24mm socket to remove the nut that holds the prop on. Use a broom handle or similar through the tunnel to lock the props. The props should simply slide off!. In reality you sometimes need to get a rope around two opposite blades and pull them really hard. It takes about 5 minutes to do it out of the water and around an hour in the water. Good luck.
 
I,ve removed BF props in the water .
I think with Volvo Penta QL brand there is a split pin sat over the hex bolt .This can be problematic to remove?
As said depends on the BF Make /modal
Find a clear shallow sandy anchorage -in case you drop somthing
I have a mini dive kit- handy -gives me 20 mins -ok for this type of stuff

Every time in the past when I used a yard to to do ( and pay for ) the annual antifoul -they never took off the BF props or checked the anode.
The last 3 years with a mate we have done it ourselves - really to do it properly -inc antifoul both sides of BF prop(s) and new anode here too -or the gearbox corrodes which intern then kackers the seals which is why you here really noisey fibreglassey hollow sound in the marina with some folks BF,s
Current boat as a massive Vetus in a large tunnel easy to service when out of the water -avoiding having to do mid season job .
 
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It is bloody hard on dry land on a large boat. I suspect (having been at a Hamble yard for
A periods that the winter service guys in Corfu install them without grease so it requires a hammer and lots of cursing to remove them.

Ill be taking them out again in Novermber so will update if I remember.

Side power 20hp model thruster
 
stuartwineberg said:
Depends on the model of thruster. The two Vetus ones I have wrestled with both had a Phillips screw in the centre of the prop and various themes on ring anodes behind. Cant see why a diver couldn't get them off and back on again - only issue is that I always use threadlock and I cant see that being possible underwater
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Good point. Should have said, sorry - it's a Sidepower, I think it's an SE100.
 
aquatom said:
I've removed a few sidepower props in the water. I think it's a 5mm Allen key first to remove the anode and then either a 19mm or 24mm socket to remove the nut that holds the prop on. Use a broom handle or similar through the tunnel to lock the props. The props should simply slide off!. In reality you sometimes need to get a rope around two opposite blades and pull them really hard. It takes about 5 minutes to do it out of the water and around an hour in the water. Good luck.
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Fab thanks. I'm keen to try this, but I'm very aware that I've got form for making small problems much bigger... :D
 
Portofino said:
I,ve removed BF props in the water .
I think with Volvo Penta QL brand there is a split pin sat over the hex bolt .This can be problematic to remove?
As said depends on the BF Make /modal
Find a clear shallow sandy anchorage -in case you drop somthing
I have a mini dive kit- handy -gives me 20 mins -ok for this type of stuff

Every time in the past when I used a yard to to do ( and pay for ) the annual antifoul -they never took off the BF props or checked the anode.
The last 3 years with a mate we have done it ourselves - really to do it properly -inc antifoul both sides of BF prop(s) and new anode here too -or the gearbox corrodes which intern then kackers the seals which is why you here really noisey fibreglassey hollow sound in the marina with some folks BF,s
Current boat as a massive Vetus in a large tunnel easy to service when out of the water -avoiding having to do mid season job .
Click to expand...

A mini-B? Nice. As it happens I do have dive kit on the boat, although I had assumed that I could this just by snorkelling.
 
jimmy_the_builder said:
A mini-B? Nice. As it happens I do have dive kit on the boat, although I had assumed that I could this just by snorkelling.
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Not really a snorkeling job Jimmy, too much to do. I took mine off last year when ashore and one side came off easily but the other prop was a right b@@@@rd, there's no way I could have done that underwater.
The biggest problem you have is not dropping bits, that would be my concern, particularly as I'd recommend you wear gloves, otherwise you're likely to cut your hands to shreds.

What I do is to take down a scraper about an inch wide, surprising how much you can get done with that, you will get rid of probably 75% of the growth. But as before, wearing gloves is a must!
 
longjohnsilver said:
Not really a snorkeling job Jimmy, too much to do. I took mine off last year when ashore and one side came off easily but the other prop was a right b@@@@rd, there's no way I could have done that underwater.
The biggest problem you have is not dropping bits, that would be my concern, particularly as I'd recommend you wear gloves, otherwise you're likely to cut your hands to shreds.

What I do is to take down a scraper about an inch wide, surprising how much you can get done with that, you will get rid of probably 75% of the growth. But as before, wearing gloves is a must!
Click to expand...

Thanks LJS. The problem is that there are two props, they are relatively small, and so getting to the inboard faces of the prop blades with a scraper is pretty difficult (I've tried before). I shall have a go at it later and report back! :D
 
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