Stern Thruster R-27 Inboard - Looking for opinions...

[TomHall]

Has anyone removed the Stern Thruster from their Ranger Tug?

I rarely use mine. It needs to be serviced every few years (I think because of its location and lack of ventilation, the motor always needs a clean-up). It stopped working two seasons ago, and I have not missed it.

Just curious if it is worth servicing again. If I keep it I will remove the entire unit and rebed it this time.

I would prefer not to have it, but it is a standard feature that I imagine most of you value much more than I do.

Please let me know your thoughts.

 

[Red Raven]

For what it’s worth our 2014 R27 Inboard bow or stern thruster has never needed service beyond replacing shear pins with over 2000 hours on the boat in the salt in the NW. I also do not find the need to use the thrusters often but I try to exercise them regularly whether needed or not. There is always that rare occurrence when they are needed so exercising them often gives me confidence that they will perform when critical. Using them regularly also helps keep the barnacles off.

Like most things on a boat they like to be used. Perhaps it is the lack of use that is adding to the need for servicing of your thruster. Besides that, the only thing I can recommend is to keep the well below the stern thruster free of water. It does seem to collect down there. I have never pulled mine apart so I don’t know how well the thruster case is sealed but perhaps that also could be an issue for you.

Good luck with this challenge,

Curt

 

[TomHall]

Glad yours are working well. My bow thruster has never been a problem, just routine maintenance. The stern thruster is suffering from being down in that aft bilge area. If I keep it, I think a small bilge pump is worth installing and have it just discharge into the main bilge.

 

[Red Raven]

Not a bad idea.

Safe travels,

Curt

 

[blifland]

FYI: our 2011 25SC had some leaking from the bolts of round housing holding the stern thruster - very little to no caulk on bolts. Replaced bolts but had some small leak from round housing. Used short-cut method and applied 4200 on outside of round housing - no leaks as of 4 or 5 years so far. Added auto bilge pump on plastic pipe with outflow over the stern with 1 inch plastic tubing (not best looking-but works great). Used a lighted toggle switch in place of salt water pump switch - we do not need or use salt water pump. When bow is up on water when running, some water collects in stern thruster cavity - bilge pump gets most. Then I vacuum tiny bit that is left.

 

[Martin610]

I use my stern thruster all the time. Wouldn't be without it, especially with a single engine vessel. I seem to have a lot tight spaces to fit into, whether it be getting fuel or getting to the pump out. When we're gunkholing, being able to turn the boat around in its own length is wonderful. When the wind is up I seem to need both of them working together to over come the wind.

-martin610