Vetus bow thruster issues - No drive. Any thoughts ?

[Loggo]

Can anyone offer any words of comfort please ? Mooring today my bow thruster stopped working (Vetus 50 Kgf circa 1996). Motored well (perhaps a little faster than usual) but no sideways motion

Not to worry - I removed the motor and went to replace the shear pin only to find it was in perfect condition.

Can anyone offer any advice on the next step please ? The only things I can think of are either the prop has fallen off (seems unlikely as it is not held in place by a nut on a shaft but by two half saucer shaped thingies secured with screws) or something has sheared in the gearbox.

The drive to the gearbox spins well so, presumably, nothing jammed in the tube.

Only other possibility I can think of would be severe corrosion of the prop blades which then fell off - last out of the water in October and looked to be all good then.

I confess myself completely out of my depth with this - can anyone offer a suggestion please ?

 

[rafiki_]

On mine, the prop was plastic, so no corrosion issues surely? When did you last change the anode? This sits behind the prop. Could this have decayed, and hence caused the prop to come loose? If struggling, call Alan Stafford, SOS Boat Services.

 

[NorthUp]

poly bag in the prop?

 

[aquapower]

Can anyone offer any words of comfort please ? Mooring today my bow thruster stopped working (Vetus 50 Kgf circa 1996). Motored well (perhaps a little faster than usual) but no sideways motion

Not to worry - I removed the motor and went to replace the shear pin only to find it was in perfect condition.

Can anyone offer any advice on the next step please ? The only things I can think of are either the prop has fallen off (seems unlikely as it is not held in place by a nut on a shaft but by two half saucer shaped thingies secured with screws) or something has sheared in the gearbox.

The drive to the gearbox spins well so, presumably, nothing jammed in the tube.

Only other possibility I can think of would be severe corrosion of the prop blades which then fell off - last out of the water in October and looked to be all good then.

I confess myself completely out of my depth with this - can anyone offer a suggestion please ?

There is another shear pin directly behind prop, this is bigger that the one under motor and is not meant to break as easily but needs boat lifting to check.

 

[Loggo]

I'm sure it's not a polly bag. But thanks for the prompt answers. Interesting to hear of a second shear pin - no mention in the instruction book.

 

[aquapower]

I'm sure it's not a polly bag. But thanks for the prompt answers. Interesting to hear of a second shear pin - no mention in the instruction book.

Note from the links below you have a 5mm behind prop & 3mm at motor drive, the 5mm does sometimes break.

http://www.vetus-shop.com/set-of-shear-pins-5x-vetus-bow-thruster-45-andamp-50kgf-p-2639.html

http://www.vetus-shop.com/vetus-bow-thruster-propeller-blade-dia185mm-for-50607595kgf-p-946.html

 

[alant]

Note from the links below you have a 5mm behind prop & 3mm at motor drive, the 5mm does sometimes break.

http://www.vetus-shop.com/set-of-shear-pins-5x-vetus-bow-thruster-45-andamp-50kgf-p-2639.html

http://www.vetus-shop.com/vetus-bow-thruster-propeller-blade-dia185mm-for-50607595kgf-p-946.html

Had to have a lift out on an Oyster 485, when a piece of timber got snarled in the prop & that shear pin bent.
Even out in plain sight, it was a barsteward to get out.

 

[Loggo]

thanks Aquapower, I guess a second shearpin is the most probable answer (and the links ) although why it and not the thinner one went goodness only knows. Probably because the thinner one is easy to replace ! Looking like a lift out then
Rafiki, Thanks for the contact name. I am not sure if the folks at the Marina are all that happy with outsiders coming in to work on their premises though.

I guess the big question is will I be happy without the thruster until October or should I sort it now ?

 

[rafiki_]

thanks Aquapower, I guess a second shearpin is the most probable answer (and the links ) although why it and not the thinner one went goodness only knows. Probably because the thinner one is easy to replace ! Looking like a lift out then
Rafiki, Thanks for the contact name. I am not sure if the folks at the Marina are all that happy with outsiders coming in to work on their premises though.

I guess the big question is will I be happy without the thruster until October or should I sort it now ?

They know Alan at Upton, and are happy for him to work there. Remember Tingdene run the Marina, Marine Performance are tenants.

 

[Loggo]

Just an update. Taking all things into consideration I feel the shear pin on the prop must be the culprit. Is there a way, short of hauling her out, to confirm this ? Either way I will gather together a few more bits of kit to do a couple of jobs whilst Hedley is out of the water so I'll have to manage until October. Thanks to all for the advice - Especially Rafiki, Aquapower andTim (who contacted me directly)

 

[rafiki_]

Lawrie, as the thruster motor appears to be spinning, then it is either the shear pin or prop that has gone walkies. Little you can do with either until she comes out the water. May as well change the anode while you have the thruster to pieces too.