We had the Sleipner bow thruster apart lifting the electric motor out. Unfortunately the flexible coupling and the shearpin was intact. Only alternative then was broken gears.

I did a dive and Mercedes was turning the flexible coupling from inside.No propellers were mowing proving the gears were broken . Since this means haul out it was the worst scenario . Bock Marine 6-7Nm further north along the ICW has good reputation and we took the courtesy car ( a classic American Dodge) to discuss the problem and see if they could haul out.

In Beaufort NC there’s currently a fishing tournament-“The Big Rock”. It’s the biggest fishing tournament on the US east coast and it meant loads of boats and people were currently in the area with pressure on marinas and ship yards. Bock Marine agreed to haul out coming Monday meaning we needed to stay in Beaufort NC another five days.

Having another 100Nm left of ICW up to Norfolk and Chesapeake Bay we needed the bow thruster for safe manouvering in tight anchorages and marinas. Subsequently we decided to stay and haul out. A new gearleg as well as a new more modern version of flexible coupling was ordered. Beaufort NC is a lovely place although it put some pressure on our schedule. We still have a bit more than 250Nm to Pier7Marina in Annapolis.