BOW THRUSTERS How
BOW THRUSTERS How
BOW THRUSTERS How
Thrusters can take the stress out of docking by giving you sideways control of the movement and position of the bow and the
stern of your boat. They work by rotating a propeller (at very high speed and power) in a submerged tube or a housing mounted
athwartships (across the boat), and located near the bow and/or the stern.
A simple control panel (usually a joystick) allows you to push the bow and/or stern sideways, to resist the force of a crosswind and
cross current, while you are docking or manoeuvring in close quarters (getting in or out of the marina).
VETUS offers a solution for each and every boat. From small to big boats, with a shallow or deep draft, slow or fast, electrically or
hydraulically driven. New products are continuously introduced and existing products are frequently updated, so please go to
www.vetus.com for the latest developments.
Note
The further forward the tunnel can be positioned, the greater effect the thruster will have.
Pivot point
Point of attack 8 gale 17,2 to 20,7 191 to 276 - (19,4 to 28,2)
wind force Thrust force
The most suitable VETUS bow thruster is for this particular vessel is the 45 kgf (25 kgf in the case of Beaufort 4 and 75 kgf in
the case of Beaufort 6). Always bear in mind that the effective performance of a bow thruster will vary with each particular
boat, as the displacement, the shape of the underwater section and the positioning of the bow thruster will always remain
variable factors.
As a rule of thumb it can be assumed that the stern thruster may be “one model smaller” than the bow thruster model, as it
has been calculated. Therefore, in this case a stern thruster type 35 kgf will be the correct model. Below is a selection table
of bow thruster models against recommended boat length. Please note that this table is given for general guidance only
and the calculation shown above should be used whenever possible. If you are in any doubt about the best thruster for your
boat, your VETUS dealer will be glad to help you with the decision.
The original recreational boat thruster, The leading edge of thruster If you treasure peace, perfect peace, on
developed and refined over 30 years of development, but utilizing well proven gentle waters, or need to move with
hard work on boats ranging from 15 to components and technology. For boats stealth on troubled waters, the world’s
90 feet. ranging from 18 to 50 feet. quietest thrusters are for you. For boats
ranging from 40 to 60 feet.
• On-off, port-starboard controls. • Resistant to damage from misuse and
• Simple and intuitive to operate overuse, with heat sensing and self- • Proportional joysticks allow you to
• Lowest cost, simplest installation, easy regulating electronics vary the effective power output of the
retrofit • Proportional joysticks allow you to thruster for more boat control.
• A range of eleven thrusters, with vary the effective power output of the • Resistant to damage from misuse and
thrust outputs ranging from 25 kgf thruster for more boat control. overuse, with heat sensing and self-
• to 285 kgf • Simple and intuitive to operate, with a regulating electronics
• Battery powered at 12, 24 and small self learning curve on adjusting • Simple and intuitive to operate, with a
48 Volts the thrust small learning curve on adjusting the
• Run time: 2-4 minutes continuous or • The same installation process as a thrust
combined in one hour standard VETUS DC thruster, but with • A slightly different installation process
• Motor technology: direct current, some simple and well documented from a standard VETUS DC thruster,
series wound with carbon brushes panel set-up procedures but no new skills required.
• A range of 18 thrusters, with power • A range of two thrusters with power
Turn to page 175 for detailed outputs from 30 kgf to 130 kgf outputs of 125 kgf and 160 kgf
information • Battery powered at 12 and 24 Volts • Battery powered at 48 Volts
• Run time: 10 minutes (minimum) at • Runtime: 10 minutes minimum at full
full power with longer runtimes at power with longer runtime at reduced
reduced power, ultimately limited by power, on minimum recommended
battery capacity and recharge rate battery bank, but easily extended by
• Motor technology: efficient, sealed, increasing battery capacity
induction motors (with no carbon
brushes) giving maximum run time on Turn to page 180 for detailed
a charged battery bank information.
An extension of the basic, An extension of the basic, The thruster to select Thrust whenever you need it,
time-tested DC thruster, time-tested DC thruster, but when your boat’s shallow for as long as you need it -,
developed for use in the only electric thruster draft does not allow a is the defining characteristic
integrated boat control type suitable for use in conventional bow tunnel or of these powerful machines
systems requiring long compartments containing stern tube to be adequately and their systems. Built with
runtimes at high power gasoline / petrol engines, submerged. A VETUS DC industrial grade components
outputs. For boats ranging tanks and fuel lines, propane thruster mounted on a swing and ideal for commercial
from 36 to 75 feet. tanks and lines, jet skis/ mechanism that extends and recreational heavy-duty
pwcs or outboard engines below the boat prior to applications. For vessels
• On-off, port-starboard and their fuel tanks, as the operation and retracts back ranging from 35 to 120 feet.
controls motor is encased to prevent into the hull after use. For
• Simple and intuitive to explosive fumes reaching its boats ranging from 25 to • Controls can be on-off/
operate interior. For boats ranging 60 feet. port-starboard, two stage
• Simple installation, easy from 16 to 60 feet. with half-power hold
retrofit • On-off, port-starboard détentes, proportional
• 5 models with power • On-off, port-starboard controls with automatic or a computer managing
outputs ranging from controls deployment and retraction station-holding or
95 kgf to 220 kgf • Simple and intuitive to • Simple and intuitive to integrated boat-control
• Battery powered at operate operate • Made for very hard work
12 and 24 Volts • Simple installation (regular • A unique installation - long lived, reliable,
• Run time 7-10 minutes + encasement), easy process requiring careful accustomed to abuse and
continuous or combined in retrofit measurement, cutting and highly resistant to damage
one hour. • 10 models with power fitting in accordance with • Specialist installation
• Motor technology: direct outputs ranging from the detailed instructions required due to complex
current, series wound with 25 kgf to 155 kgf provided components
carbon brushes • Battery powered at • 6 models with power • 7 models with power
12 and 24 Volts outputs ranging from outputs ranging from
Turn to page 182 for detailed • Run times 2-4 minutes 55 kgf to 160 kgf 55 kgf to 550 kgf
information continuous or combined in • Battery powered at • Powered by a prime mover
one hour 12 and 24 Volts engine(s)
• Motor technology: direct • Run times 2-4 minutes • Continuous runtime
current, series wound with continuous or combined in • Motor technology:
carbon brushes one hour hydraulic
• Motor technology: direct
Turn to page 183 for detailed current, series wound with Turn to page 186 for detailed
information carbon brushes information
carbon brushes anode anode anode carbon brushes carbon brushes + carbon brushes +
Maintenance + anode + power + + + +anode + power anode + power anode + power
circuit check power circuit check power circuit check hydraulic lines check circuit check circuit check circuit check
BOW2204DE
Heavy displacement BOW1604DI
BOW1604DE
STE16024
Cruising BOW12512/24DI
BOW1254DE
STE12512/24
BOW9512/24DI
DC THRUSTERS EXTENDED RUNTIME DC THRUSTERS BOW PRO DC-AC THRUSTERS RIMDRIVE THRUSTERS