Locked Up Stern Thruster 2012 R27

[CaspersCruiser]

The Side Power stern thruster on my 2012 R27 is locked up. It is not possible to rotate the thruster propeller by hand. The Side Power troubleshooting guide only addresses electrical issues. From my perspective, two things could cause this, 1) a seized motor or 2) a seized “drive leg” (unsure of the Side Power nomenclature) between the motor and propeller.

Before I start going down rabbit holes, I’d like to hear from folks who have experienced a locked up Side Power thruster. What was the cause in your case?

 

[Niels Hansen]

I have just finished going down that route. My thruster was also locked. I have just installed a new unit and found everything turns relative smoothly and free turning it manually by the prop. The motor in the old unit had locked up.The new assembly with motor, all relays, prop and transmission assembly is about $ 1600 from Sleipner. For what it is worth, the joy stick controls cost about $500 from the same company. You can buy replacement joy stick controls from Amazon for $ 14 each. minor clearances have to be made but otherwise fits really well. For additional testing, try touching the the red wire to the blue wire and/or then gray wire to the red wire on the existing joy sticks to mimic right and left hand thrusting. I hope for your sake that the front thruster is the problem because the aft thruster is extremely difficult to replace without removing the black water tank and the assembly as described above also costs about $3K.

 

[Niels Hansen]

I have just finished going down that route. My thruster was also locked. I have just installed a new unit and found everything turns relative smoothly and free turning it manually by the prop. The motor in the old unit had locked up.The new assembly with motor, all relays, prop and transmission assembly is about $ 1600 from Sleipner. For what it is worth, the joy stick controls cost about $500 from the same company. You can buy replacement joy stick controls from Amazon for $ 14 each. minor clearances have to be made but otherwise fits really well. For additional testing, try touching the the red wire to the blue wire and/or then gray wire to the red wire on the existing joy sticks to mimic right and left hand thrusting. I hope for your sake that the front thruster is the problem because the aft thruster is extremely difficult to replace without removing the black water tank and the assembly as described above also costs about $3K.

I almost forgot... if your R27 is like my 25, the rear thruster is mounted in its own little well. It has a convoluted method of providing drainage from excess water not picked up by the scuppers from left side of the boat. Water that bypasses these scuppers will end up in the gen compartment or the battery compartment and from there go into another well at the extreme left rear of the boat. from there it will drain to the next lowest compartment which is the thruster. from there it will drain to the main engine bilge. the drains in question are about 3/4" ID and are subject to plugging up thereby allowing your thruster to become submerged. eventhough it has an additional water shield attached to it, my experience is that it is worthless to keeping water out of the electric motor if the drain in question is plugged.

 

[Niels Hansen]

I almost forgot... if your R27 is like my 25, the rear thruster is mounted in its own little well. It has a convoluted method of providing drainage from excess water not picked up by the scuppers from left side of the boat. Water that bypasses these scuppers will end up in the gen compartment or the battery compartment and from there go into another well at the extreme left rear of the boat. from there it will drain to the next lowest compartment which is the thruster. from there it will drain to the main engine bilge. the drains in question are about 3/4" ID and are subject to plugging up thereby allowing your thruster to become submerged. eventhough it has an additional water shield attached to it, my experience is that it is worthless to keeping water out of the electric motor if the drain in question is plugged.

Side power has become Sleipner and for service information you call another company called Intra 508 995 7000. If you intend to use the original water proof ? enclosure from the failed motor assembly, the sku number needed for the replacement is 303990 phone 1 800 262 8727. With tax it is 1,809,36. The one with the new enclosure is 0ver $3K.

 

[CaspersCruiser]

Thanks million for the time you have taken on these detailed replies.

Now if you could just help me with five-foot long, triple jointed arms with the torque of a gorilla, I’d be all fixed up.

 

[Niels Hansen]

Thanks million for the time you have taken on these detailed replies.

Now if you could just help me with five-foot long, triple jointed arms with the torque of a gorilla, I’d be all fixed up.

 

[Niels Hansen]

my shoulders are still hurting and I did it with the sink, the black water tank and the engine out.