Quick's BTQ is an Italian on/off DC tunnel thruster range from the 25 kgf BTQ 110 for 16-23 ft boats to the 300 kgf, 48V BTQ 300 for boats up to 98 ft. It offers single and twin-prop 185 mm options and IP66 cased versions. It suits owners who like Quick gear; check local service support before buying.
What we like
- 17 ratings from 25 kgf to 300 kgf
- Separate replaceable aluminium anode, not part of the gearbox
- IP66 protection-case versions on smaller and 185 mm units
- Single and twin contra-rotating options in 185 mm
- Kit packaging for the common small sizes
Watch out for
- On/off control; proportional needs a different Quick line
- Big 250 and 300 mm models are 24V or 48V only
- Model names reflect thrust, so sizing by name is easy to get wrong across brands
- US dealer and service coverage is concentrated in Florida
Quick is better known in the US for windlasses and lights than for thrusters, but the Ravenna company builds a full thruster range, and the BTQ is its mainstream DC tunnel line. It is an on/off thruster, built around composite props and a separate replaceable anode, with model names that tell you the tunnel size and the rated thrust. A BTQ 185-75 is a 185 mm, 75 kgf unit. Simple.
The full BTQ range
Every figure below comes from Quick's own model sheets. Boat lengths are Quick's guidance, and Quick itself warns they vary by boat type.
| Model | Tunnel | Power | Voltage | Thrust | Quick boat guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BTQ 110-25 | 110 mm | 1.3 kW | 12V | 25 kgf | 16-23 ft |
| BTQ 125-30 | 125 mm | 1.5 kW | 12V | 30 kgf | 20-26 ft |
| BTQ 125-40 | 125 mm | 2.2 kW | 12V | 40 kgf | 23-33 ft |
| BTQ 140-30 / 140-40 | 140 mm | 1.5 / 2.2 kW | 12V | 30 / 40 kgf | 20-26 / 23-33 ft |
| BTQ 185-55 | 185 mm | 3 kW | 12V or 24V | 55 kgf | 26-36 ft |
| BTQ 185-75 | 185 mm | 4 kW | 12V or 24V | 75 kgf | 33-43 ft |
| BTQ 185-95 | 185 mm | 6 kW | 12V or 24V | 95 kgf | 39-49 ft |
| BTQ 185-65 DP | 185 mm | 3.3 kW | 12V or 24V | 65 kgf | 9-12 m |
| BTQ 185-85 DP | 185 mm | 4.3 kW | 12V or 24V | 85 kgf | 33-46 ft |
| BTQ 185-105 DP | 185 mm | 6.3 kW | 12V or 24V | 105 kgf | 39-50 ft |
| BTQ 250-120 | 250 mm | 6.5 kW | see Quick sheet | 120 kgf | 39-56 ft |
| BTQ 250-140 | 250 mm | 8 kW | 24V | 140 kgf | 39-62 ft |
| BTQ 250-240 | 250 mm | 10 kW | 24V | 240 kgf | 52-69 ft |
| BTQ 300-250 | 300 mm | 10 kW | 24V | 250 kgf | 62-82 ft |
| BTQ 300-270 | 300 mm | 12 kW | 24V | 270 kgf | 62-88 ft |
| BTQ 300-300 | 300 mm | 15 kW | 48V | 300 kgf | 66-98 ft |
There is also a BTQ 300-300 Nib. with Nibral (nickel-aluminium bronze) propellers at the same rating.
Single prop or DP in a 185 mm tunnel
This is the decision most 30 to 50 ft boats end up making. Quick sells two 185 mm families:
- BTQ 185 with a single composite propeller: 55, 75 and 95 kgf.
- BTQ 185 DP with twin propellers (contra-rotating on the 105): 65, 85 and 105 kgf.
Motor power on the DP models is a little higher, so the comparison isn't free thrust. But if the tunnel is fixed and you're between sizes, the DP adds 10 kgf at each step. The top models in both families weigh around 24 to 28 kg depending on voltage, so neither is a featherweight to hold overhead in a forepeak.
Construction details that matter later
Quick lists a few build choices on the BTQ pages that make a difference at service time:
- Anode independent from the gearbox. The aluminium anode can be swapped without disturbing the leg. Small thing, but it keeps a routine anode change from turning into gearbox work.
- Elastic coupling between motor and drive.
- Composite solenoid cover protecting the switching gear.
- Gearbox material: technopolymer on the small BTQ 110 and 125, bronze on the 185 and 250.
- IP66 protection-case versions (marked C) on several models, including the small units and the BTQ 185-55 and 185-75.
Quick also packages the smaller and 185-55 models as kits, which simplifies ordering for a straightforward install.
Electrical planning
The 185 mm units come in 12V and 24V. As with every brand, the 24V version is easier on cable and batteries for the bigger motors. A 6 kW motor on 12V is drawing heavy current, and the cable has to be sized for the full round-trip length.
The big end of the range is 24V and 48V only. For a 48V BTQ 300-300 on a 24V boat, Quick sells a PSS parallel-serial switch that runs a 24V or 48V thruster motor on a 12V or 24V boat by adding a battery group. We'd still rather see a dedicated thruster bank sited close to the bow. Battery choices are compared in AGM thruster batteries and lithium thruster batteries.
Tunnel placement follows the usual rules: as far forward and as deep as the hull allows. Our bow thruster installation page covers it.
One more practical note: Quick sells bow (CB) and stern (CS) versions of the smaller units, so if you're adding a stern thruster later, you can match the bow unit. See our stern thruster installation page for what that involves.
Weak spots
On/off only. Quick's proportional answer is the QSY family, which is a different product with its own controls. If proportional is a must, start there or with Sleipner SEP.
The other consideration is service. Quick has a US subsidiary based in Fort Lauderdale, which is great if you cruise Florida. Elsewhere, check who stocks parts before you commit.
How it compares
Against Max Power CT, the BTQ range is similar in span and also uses composite props, with twin-prop options in 185 mm. Against Lewmar Gen 2 and Vetus BOW, Quick offers more granularity in the 185 mm tunnel, six models in one hole size. If you already have a Quick windlass and controls aboard, keeping one supplier is a reasonable tiebreaker.
Verdict
The BTQ is a well-thought-out DC range with sensible service details, especially the separate anode. It's a good fit for Quick-equipped boats and for anyone who wants fine steps of thrust in a 185 mm tunnel. Check local parts support, pick 24V for anything above 4 kW if you can, and ask us for a quote with your boat's length and where the batteries sit.
Questions people ask
What do the numbers in a Quick BTQ model name mean?
The first number is the tunnel diameter in millimeters and the second is the rated thrust in kgf. A BTQ 185-75 is a 185 mm tunnel thruster rated at 75 kgf.
Should I choose the BTQ 185 or BTQ 185 DP?
The DP models use twin propellers and are rated slightly higher than the single-prop versions at similar motor power, for example 85 kgf at 4.3 kW versus 75 kgf at 4 kW. If the tunnel is fixed at 185 mm and you want a bit more push, the DP is the one to look at.
Can a Quick BTQ 300-300 run on a 24V boat?
The BTQ 300-300 is 48V. Quick offers a PSS parallel-serial switch that lets a 24V or 48V thruster motor run on a 12V or 24V boat by adding a battery group, so it can be done with the right battery arrangement.
What does the C or IP66 version add?
Quick lists protection-case versions, marked C, with IP66 protection. They are slightly heavier. They make sense when the thruster compartment is damp or doubles as a locker.
- Quick DC thrusters range
- Quick BTQ 110
- Quick BTQ 125
- Quick BTQ 140
- Quick BTQ 185
- Quick BTQ 185 DP
- Quick BTQ 250
- Quick BTQ 300
Manufacturers update their lines. Confirm current model numbers with us or the maker before you buy.