Thruster Motor Bracket Mis-Alignment?

[NautiTug]

As you may recall I broke my bow thruster shear pin about 2 months ago. When I went to replaced it the break look like what Imtra describes as a Motor Bracket Miss-Alignment in their troubleshooting guide:

https://www.imtra.com/COLLATERAL/DOCUME ... _40_60.PDF

Now that the boat is on the hard I went and hand turned the prob. To me it sounds clunky vs the stern thruster which spins with no noise.

Here is video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9H5zUoCkaQU


What do you guys think? Thanks Matt
[youtube]Thruster Motor Bracket Miss-Alignment?[/youtube]

 

[Brian B]

By the sounds of it there is definetly something wrong. If you want a professional opinion go right to the source and call Imtra in New Bedford, MA and ask to speak to a Sidepower tech, 508-995-7000.
Let us know what the cause turns out to be.

 

[captstu]

The strut (leg) May be bent. Mine was under 1/8” off and it would not operate. Take out the strut and measure it.


Stuart Bell
Ranger 25: Shearwater
(561) 352-1796

 

[NautiTug]

Can I pull the gear leg from inside the boat?

Also sent an email to Imitra.

 

[knotflying]

Can I pull the gear leg from inside the boat?

Also sent an email to Imitra.

No, you have to remove the thruster and then unbolt it from the inside and then pay around $500.00 for a new leg. You will need some sealant when you reinstall the new leg and you will also want to put some bottom paint on the new leg.

 

[NautiTug]

Hi All,

Just and update and question for all. After removing the thruster motor and putting it back in place I truly believe that the Bracket was mis-aligned and that was causing the issues. I put it back together paying extra attention and making sure everything was aligned correctly. While doing this the support bracket broke off (pictures in my album). But now spinning the thruster no loud bad noise are occurring like before in my youtube video.

But question is what is everyone's thoughts for getting the support bracket back in place. The pictures in my album will help tell the story better/

I am almost thinking purchasing these brackets and screwing them in to the wood seen in the photo and then in to the current bracket.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XKTKYKH?ps ... 4_t_ttl_lh


Thanks!

 

[Red Raven]

I would use epoxy and would put the motor back in place while the epoxy is wet to make sure it is aligned and held in place.

Curt

 

[NautiTug]

What kinda epoxy do you think would work best?

 

[BB marine]

I have had good luck with West System epoxy used with the west system adhesive filler. For the job you are doing I would purchase the West System repair kit 105K comes with premixed packets and fillers. Its a handy kit to have on hand.

 

[Red Raven]

I use West System epoxy from West Marine. The slower the cure the stronger. You can get a small repair kit (yes, the same one BBMarine recommends above, I started this reply this before his post! 😀 ) from them for a lot less money than the bigger project containers, if all you are doing is this project. You can also get epoxy from Home Depot as well though I would not recommend the fast setting stuff (5 minute etc.) as it would not be near as strong.

After you get everything in place with the motor screwed down if the bracket still wants to move you can support the bracket with masking tape or pretty much anything that holds it there until the epoxy cures. Just don’t glue the bracket to the motor! Let it sit over night before touching anything.

Curt

 

[NautiTug]

Thank Curt and Brian! I will give it a try.

Do you think adhesive or fairing filler? I am assuming I will want to make it pretty think like peanut butter as they say? And build it up all around the base of the bracket support. Would I put it underneath as well or just around the side?

 

[BB marine]

I have used adhesive filler when glueing or trying to make a thicker paste. The adhesive filler is very fine ground fiberglass. I mix the resin first in a mixing cup then mix a little at a time of the filler until I get a thick paste. I have had good luck using that product. Give it a minimum of 24hours for set up.