Can THIS Over 35 Year OLD Bow Thruster Be Saved?

[@mikeknottscreek8183]

I love problem solving and that's one of the reasons I like this channel. Matt's a calm guy and a class act.

[@WillFixThat]

Believe me we got lots of boat problems to solve 🤣 I’d agree he’s pretty calm and keeps our guys rolling!

[@jetlag4754]

I have learned so much watching him and his crews!

[@stephenscott963]

Another GREAT video, and the comment “Sound of Freedom” was a great and so true of a comment, Amen!

[@WillFixThat]

The best part is we hear them often …. But not always great when we are trying to video 🥴🤣 Appreciate you sharing!

[@thomasnicholas8480]

Thank you for documenting our visit to your shop. We wish we were back in the Keys since it is 40F outside today. Just got back from the local chandlery to pick up a few supplies to start getting our boat ready for launching. We will washing the hull to get ready for a long day of polishing and waxing the hull when it get warmer outside. Tom and Barbara

[@WillFixThat]

Tom your lucky your in the 40's some of our days recently have been feeling near the 90's ... I hate to say it but summer is coming soon here. Sounds like you got lots of minor work to get the boat ready which is always a great thing! Do you guys fish much up there in the summer? We got a quick glimpse of you guys hunting us down 🤣

[@thomasnicholas8480]

I wish I was in my 40's age wise, seriously we miss the heat. We do some bass and walleye fishing but more cruising in the summer, however we prefer fishing in the Keys. God willing we'll see you next winter. @@WillFixThat

[@WillFixThat]

@@thomasnicholas8480 thanks Tom … next time maybe we can plan something while your here. Appreciate you! 👍

[@jrhamp]

The location is Stock Island in Key West..been there a few times. At the end of the lots are boats which are now the homes for some. Boating is sometimes a story of broken dreams.

[@WillFixThat]

Your right about broken dreams! Yup this boat was on Stock Island.

[@edwinharvie6174]

Matt - love the sound of those jets from NAS Key West! Keep ‘em coming

[@WillFixThat]

The last few days have been particularly noisy since the ‘Blue Angels’ are in town for their air show! But, as you know hard to video when they come screaming by … 🤣

[@WillFixThat]

Its been a struggle boat to get the parts needed we've had to see about getting custom parts made to save this bow thruster. Would you recommend putting in a new system? We asked out customer but she didn't seem interested so we are trying this other option of custom parts might cost us more in the end

[@WillFixThat]

@@abcgang8048 Matt tried to talk to them about getting a new bow thruster.... makes no sense putting in an old one again especially since they depend on it so heavily on it to get them around.

[@WillFixThat]

@@abcgang8048 for sure … lol.

[@martinbowers852]

my boss bought a road grader sight unseen at auction, 25 years old and my job was to make it right, and as usual not made anymore no body knows anything, contacted the company who bought out the company woo built it, no body know what i'm talking about, was transfered to the ceo. he says yes we bought the rights an inventory, and the buck stops with me, i say ok buck i need parts and manual, well he sent me manuals and inventory of parts he had, free of charge, and also said that i can have any parts i want just for shipping charges. real nice guy ya

[@WillFixThat]

Sounds just like our current story! We’ve talked to the owner about getting a new one instead but they are wanting to wait & see! Each day it costs them money with it sitting at the boatyard.

[@Sojourning_]

one year is passed by, I wonder what come this boat / bow thruster story........ reading through the comments, it's clear it can be a crap shoot buying some of these / owning these big boats. gone out of business when they were signing on the dotted line. ouch... Where it backs up, hearing divers cleaning the bow thruster, I would think they would gave there findings to the captain, yes, ? dry dock fees, I never considered that, wait and see what my dry dock fees will be ? keeping all those big boy toys going is at looks to me like a lot sleepiest nights. The Lord Be With You...............

[@WillFixThat]

We haven’t heard from them since … no news is good news.

[@olmstmg]

I have a bow thruster in my 77' houseboat that does not work. Hydraulics make a terrible screeching noise when engaged. I am having the boat hauled soon so I was very interested in this episode. Any guess what my issue might be? Thanks

[@WillFixThat]

Could be many things 🥴 sorry wish I had a better answer!

[@scottmaz4063]

If bow thruster can't be rebuilt or repaired time for an upgrade. Good luck with that.

[@WillFixThat]

We say it’s time for an upgrade now but owner wanting to try this old one 🥴

[@rickh3694]

what about having the prop serviced

[@WillFixThat]

We needed a new bow thruster it had too much corrosion! It was nearly gone.

[@dski8097]

Why not just pull the whole unit and have a machine shop make a new shaft?

[@WillFixThat]

We have tried a few but the shaft is too damaged and they have asked for mechanical drawings which we don’t have unfortunately 🥴

[@dski8097]

@@WillFixThat That's a bummer, as you said the boat is to big not to have a port thruster.

[@WillFixThat]

@@dski8097 it’s a bummer cause the boat is still in the yard as we are still awaiting on the company to see if they can build us a new one …. Owner hasn’t been receptive to a new thruster 🙃 but as time moves forward maybe they will!

[@dski8097]

@@WillFixThat Good luck.

[@WillFixThat]

@@dski8097 I know … we need it 🤣 thank you

[@Markb8608]

Working on someone else's boat is no fun. working on boat is almost as bad.

[@WillFixThat]

LOL yes boats can be challenging… we don’t own one 🤣