How long does a bow thruster installation take?
A standard tunnel install on a typical cruiser is 2 to 3 days of work once the boat is hauled. Retractables, cored hulls and stern thrusters can add time. We give you the schedule with the quote so you can plan the haul-out.
Do you come to my marina?
Yes. We are a mobile crew and work at the marina or yard of your choice anywhere in the United States. The boat needs to be hauled for a tunnel or retractable install; we can help coordinate that with your yard.
Will a thruster drain my house batteries?
Not the way we wire it. We set the thruster up on its own battery, mounted close to the thruster, with its own onboard charger fed by a single small AC circuit. Your house bank and engine start battery stay out of it.
How do I know what size thruster I need?
Size comes from your boat's length, windage, displacement and how much wind you want to handle. Our sizing calculator gets you in the right range in under a minute. We confirm it against the hull before quoting.
What does a bow thruster cost installed?
Most tunnel installs on 25 to 45 foot boats land somewhere between about $5,000 and $15,000 all in, with bigger boats, retractables and proportional systems costing more. Try the cost estimator for a planning number, then get a real quote.
Can you add a thruster to a sailboat?
Yes, and sailboats often benefit the most. Sizing works a little differently because a sailboat pivots further forward, near the back of the keel, which shortens the lever arm the thruster works with. Retractable and external units are also popular on sailboats to avoid tunnel drag.
What is the difference between a bow thruster and a stern thruster?
A bow thruster pushes the front of the boat sideways; a stern thruster pushes the back. With both you can move the whole boat sideways or spin it in place. See stern thruster installation.
What is a proportional thruster?
A proportional thruster lets you vary the thrust instead of running it on or off at full power. It is smoother and quieter and gives finer control in tight spots. Most major brands offer it; see Sleipner proportional and Vetus BOW PRO.
Can I use lithium batteries for my thruster?
Often, yes, but check the thruster maker's requirements and make sure the battery can deliver the thruster's peak current. See lithium vs AGM.
How long can a bow thruster run continuously?
Most DC electric thrusters are built for short bursts and have a thermal cut-out to protect the motor. Run times vary by model, from roughly a few minutes at a time on smaller units. Hydraulic thrusters can run continuously.
Electric or hydraulic?
Electric DC thrusters suit the vast majority of boats. Hydraulic makes sense on larger yachts that already have hydraulic power, or when you need continuous running. See electric vs hydraulic.
How often does a thruster need maintenance?
Check it every season: zincs, prop and tunnel cleanliness, the drive pin, cable connections and battery health. Our maintenance checklist covers it.
Still have a question?
Ask it in the quote form. We answer every one, even if you are just researching.