As you remember I had over-used the bowthruster and I wish to advise you of my experience with that.
After the incident the bowthruster continued to work. I used it five times without problem 3hours after the incident the next day of the incident and 3days after the incident with an electrician while we were trying to evaluate the extend of the damage. I left from the marina for the Eastern vacation without any problem using the thruster cautiously. When we arrived in Poros 30 nm away and with strong side wind I lowered the thruster and it didn't work at all without any warning. I was surprised ofcource and we left immediatelly for the next harbor Porto-Heli 25 nm away where I was able by coincidence to moor the boat without the thruster. I immediattely ordered the new motor in La Rochelle and they shipped it same day by UPS to my adress in Athens. When we arrived back it was practically impossible to moor the boot as the cross wind was over 18 Knots and I put with great difficulty the boot with the bow in its moorafter 3 attempts. The boot is completly unmanouvarble without the thruster, the combination of the folding propeller with the great distance between the prop wash and the rudder make it impossible to steer back wards but also straight forward to put the boot in the moor.
I was extremeely happy to install the new motor in place exactly the same day of our arrival in Kalamaki. It took 3hours to remove the old motor and put the new one in place. It can be done with the help of another sailor. I put immediattely the boat correctly in its moor.
I want to express my regards to the excellent after sales service in La Rochelle and to warn everybody that if the thruster has a problem it is better not to approach a harbor that you know that is tight and cross wind is expected.
