Thruster question...

[Rowglide]

I do not have a thruster nor do I see one I the near future. But.... this came up in conversation and nobody knew the answer.

Say a particular thruster reaches it’s “end of life”, either through damage or parts availability / cost or some other reason. Assuming there is room within the inside of the hull, are the holes in the tunnel for the motor/lower leg interface a standard or must the same brand (even model) be used ?

Thanks

[Lepke]

No two manufacturers will design the mountings the same. But fiberglass and metal tunnels are easy to patch and repurpose for a different thruster.

[Dockhead]

There are only a few makers of bow thrusters, and AFAIK none of the main ones have gone out of business in the last few decades. It shouldn't be difficult to find a like for like replacement.


But what is "end of life"? Electric tunnel thrusters have two main components -- the motor, and the drive leg. The motors should last virtually forever, in the worst case maybe needing some bearings and brushes. The drive legs need replacement from time to time when sea water gets into the gearbox -- don't ask me how I know. AFAIK, replacement drive legs are available for all of the old Sleipner ones -- I had no problem finding one for mine, although mine is an obsolete model (10HP). For Vetus etc. I don't know, but I bet the situation is the same.