Bow Thruster

[Ray Whitney]

I think I sheared a pin in the thruster today, the motor spins but nothing happens. Is this a hard do it yourself? Has anyone done this? Need help.
Thanks Ray in Port St Joe, Fl

[JackK]

Sounds like you did break the shear the pin.

It's not that difficult to replace.

1. Because you need to lift the motor off, disconnect the power
cables. Carefully mark where they go so you can put them
back easily. If your cables are long enough, you may not need
to disconnect them but mine were nowhere near long enough.

2. There are 2 or 3 bolts on the top of the motor. Loosen these bolts.

3. Lift the motor. Remove the retainer clip at the end of the shaft.

4. Replace the broken pin

5. Put back retainer clip.

6. Check the rotation of the prop by spinning the drive hub by hand
or with an adjustable. It should move pretty easy. If not, there
may be something in the prop's way. If it doesn't spin, you will
break the new shear pin as soon as you turn on the thruster.

7. Align the drive shaft as you lower the motor back into place.

8. Tighten all the bolts, reconnect cables and you are done.

Hope this helps.
Jack
__________________
2003 28 TE Dogonit

[Ray Whitney]

Thanks, I will order a new pin and give it a go. Looks easy. Thanks again. Ray

[Ray Whitney]

Took the motor out today, it was the shear pin. Why do they use bolts that hold the motor down with allen heads rather than regular bolts. That made it more difficult trying to use an allen wrench in places you can't see. Thanks for the good information, I think the job is much less than I thought. Thanks Ray

[JackK]

Glad it worked out for you. I would advise keeping a spare pin
onboard. I now have one in my tool box just in case.

Jack
______________________
2003 28 TE Dogonit

[Elizabeth Ann]

Where do you obtain the shear pin?

[johnmurray]

The telephone number for Vetus in the US is 410 712 0740. For spare shear pins they refered me to their Canadian supplier in Montreal: Red Band 450 668 3111. The shear pins come in a blister pack of four with a Vetus part number BP 1130. They can be easily put in the mail.

[Elizabeth Ann]

Thanks John.

[JackK]

I bought mine from a local supplier but Defender (www.defender.com) carries them. $8.99 for a 4 pack.

Jack
_____________________
2003 28 TE Dogonit

[Elizabeth Ann]

Thanks Jack. $10 is a bargain for something on a boat.....like you said, it would be good to have one (or four) of those laying around when Murphy decides to board the boat.

[Russell]

Are you able to do this with the boat in the water?

[JackK]

Yes, this can be done while in the water.

The shear pin is located on the drive hub which connects the motor to the gear box that drives the prop. The wet portion of the bow thruster is sealed via the gear box. You just lift the motor off and the shear pin is apparent.

Jack
____________________
2003 28 TE Dogonit

[Ray Whitney]

I received the shear pins today from Vetus Marine, Merritt Island, Fl. $16.25 for a card of four, with 3 day shipping UPS the bill was $27.90. They were packed in a box cushioned with peanuts, when shipping in a plain envelope would have done it. Next time Defender will get my business. Installing the pin took less than one hour. I changed the allen head bolts to regular metric bolts made the job easier. Thanks for all the help.

Ray

[bobcat0806]

I had the same thing happened to me. The shear pin broke on my bow thruster on my 32 two foot albin. I never chaged it , and i to thought the boat had to come out of the water.Jack thank you for the great inforamation of how to do the job............ Thank you bob

[ragman]

HI guys

I have a bow thruster too in my 31' but the shear pin is in the plastic prop, I regularly change it every 6 mths or so but my boat is on the hard so access is easy. Is there another shear pin in the motor? Never notice this function after having this boat for 15 years now. Any enlighten would be greatly appreciated.

Following seas
Ragman