Bow thrusters revving like crazy and boat not moving

[screamindemon]

So this doesn't sound good to me...went to use my thrusters the other day and it revved like crazy without the boat moving. It's as if the prop came off, or spun loose.

Has this ever happened to anyone else and if so, does the boat have to be hauled out to fix?

Thanks guys!

 

[NCBoater]

Motor running....thruster not. Check the rubber coupling between motor and thruster....most likely the coupling has failed. Access coupling from access hatch within the boat so pulling the boat is not necessary.

Mark

 

[marqbloq]

Had that happen to me, the "key" hole in the prop spun out / stripped out and had to replace the prop.

 

[tbirdvet]

Could be shear pin broke.

 

[screamindemon]

Thanks.

Anybody know how to access the thruster from inside the boat on a 34?

Sounds like the boat needs to be hauled.

 

[boatmailster]

bow thruster - under bed in v-berth or under hatch in floor and stern thruster in bilge props are ONLY accessible from outside the boat. you are looking for couple possible things: broken prop (it is a plastic), broken shear pin on the prop, broken rubber coupler or shear pin (depends on model of the thruster) between motor and underwater gear. usually there are spare pins on motor's cover

 

[screamindemon]

Many thanks, here's hoping for a broken coupler so the boat doesn't have to get hauled!

 

[BON DIA]

Post your findings & fix....will save me time & effort when it's my turn....thx

 

[screamindemon]

Inspected thrusters from the inside of boat and the coupling is, unfortunately, working properly. Everything is in order from inside the boat....which means it needs to be hauled...great.... Now i'm debating whether to do this at the end of the season when she comes ou for the winter or do it now for the tail end of the summer...

Anybody know the going rates in the northeast area for a haul out, $8.00/foot or so?

 

[boatmailster]

look around, many marinas have " a guy" with scuba gear and could replace prop in water

 

[The Bill Collector]

Diver is what I use for general maintenance in the water and the other alternative is to have parts at the ready and do it while in the sling... My yard will give me 1/2 rate for 1 hour in the sling and then back into the water....

 

[NorCal Boater]

Why do you need a bow thruster on a 34' Sundancer?