Exturn/Yacht Thrusters/Yacht Controller external bow thruster

[bikeshredder]

Just thought I'd post an update to an old thread on Exturn/Yacht Thruster/Yacht Controller with updated data. We purchased and installed a 24v unit on the bow of our single engine trawler in 2012 (we are still sailors even though now on a trawler). It worked great for about 1.5 yrs. and then it started only working intermittently so, of course, became undependable. We troubleshooted every possibility with one of their techs with no resolution. When we were finally able to haulout and replace the old one with a new unit and, yes, we had to pay up front for the new one thinking we'd get reimbursed when they found out why the old one failed. Well they claimed barnacles got into the sealed motor compartment and burned out 3. of the 4 brushes which led to the failure. We live in Florida so of course have our bottom cleaned monthly along with the bow thruster. There were a few barnacles on the outside of the unit (it was time for the monthly cleaning but we hauled out instead.) They're claiming inadequate maintenance and are refusing reimbursement for the replacement unit. Anybody else having problems with this company? I got the impression that they'd never seen a barnacle and expected their units to always remain in pristine condition on the exterior even after living underwater. And they,re in Miami!!!