Bow thruster question

[Saltdog]

At the end of the season my Vetus seemed to "slip" or "cavitate" when trying to push bow to starboard. It still moves to starboard, but barely, and makes a cavitating noise (seems like it is turning at a higher rpm, but not pushing much water).

Any ideas on what the problem may be & what I have to do to fix it?

thanks

Ts

[catalina_mike]

I haven't pulled mine but sounds like a spline or shear pin gone bad. Look at the manual for your specific model thruster and see how the prop attaches to the shaft.

[furball]

is the boat in or out of the water?
I had the same problem and it was due to fouling inside the tunnel.
Different sound in each direction, higher rpm to port, pushed to starboard weakly and barely to port.
Fouling in the tunnel was different on each side causing the prop to starve for water and not push to port.
The rpm's jump due to lack of water resistance. The other side had a decent water plume but was probably 50% efficient.
If the tunnel is clean and you know it's clean, then start looking at the components.
I learned the hard (read expensive) way.
So back to the first question, in or out of the water?

Good luck,
John

[Saltdog]

It is currently in the water, but I am about to pull it for bottom paint.

[Jeremyvmd]

I agree with water starvation as the first thing to check for because it's free...lol. Next thing would be to pull the prop and look at the connection to the drive u it (usually a sheer pin). Could also be a damaged or encrusted prop. How often is the bow theuster/boat used?