KE+ Electronic Engine Controls: Prices are Low – Don't be Slow!

How to Fit a Side-Power Bow & Stern Thruster in Your Boat (New Installation)

What is the Function of a Side-Power Bow & Stern Thruster for Boats?

  • The primary function and reason to use a bow and stern Side-Power thruster is to pivot your boat-
    • bow or stern independently or
    • both together to move the boat in one direction or
    • hold next to a dock or
    • rotate the boat in a 360° turn.

There are an abundant amount of reasons to install a Side-Power bow and stern thruster in your boat:

  • Most important - Safety
    • Docking can be a dangerous operation to your health and can cause damages to docks or neighboring boats, especially in strong winds.
  • Stress Free
    • Docking with a bow thruster gives you immense confidence with control over your boat.
    • It makes even the most difficult slips to get into, a much easier task
  •  Adds value to your boat
    • If you sell your sailboat or motor vessel - the next purchaser will have a peace of mind there is already a bow thruster

Sizing a bow thruster to your boat:

Technically, there are going to be a few options for Side-Power thrusters in terms of size that will do the job in moving the bow of the boat. It's important to know a few things before deciding on one, if you would like to talk with our Side-Power bow thruster expert head to our contact page. The two main factors decide correct thruster sizing are:

  • Boat owner's performance requirements
  • Boat size, type, and shape
  • To get started on sizing a thruster, see our sizing chart based on boat length.
  • Below is an example of what you would receive for thrust calculations:

thrustercalc.jpg

How to Size a Stern Thruster to your boat:

The best method to finding a properly sized stern thruster is to find the size of bow thruster you need and then go one size lower. For instance: if the performance of a SE100 bow thruster will pivot your boat sufficiently, then the stern thruster you would choose is a SE80. The reason for this is that the stern tunnel is mounted outside of the hull which is further from the pivot point. This gives the thruster more leverage to move the boat.

Thruster Power Requirements

For most installations a DC powered thruster is used; in larger yachts an AC or Hydraulic Side-Power may be used.

What Type of Side-Power Thruster is Best Suited For My Vessel? "Standard" "IP" or "Speed Control"

  • Standard DC thrusters are the most commonly purchased versions for two main reasons: Cost efficiency and Fewer Components than a Pro (Speed Control) Series Thruster
  • The Ignition Protected thruster is the same as the Standard (SE) thruster but is equipped with a hermetically sealed cover around the motor and switch gear.
  • The Speed Control or "Pro" series thrusters is the latest in Side-Power thruster technology.
    • Accurate control of thruster by fully regulating the amount of thruster produced
    • Much Longer run time than SE series
    • Noise Reduction
    • Automatic hold function - keeps thrusters on while docking

sesp.jpgseipsp.jpgsesppro.jpg

 

What Other Items Do I Need to Purchase?

  1. A Bow Tunnel, this will depend on what thruster you purchase (i.e. SE80 will need a 7.3" tunnel) and what type of boat you have (GRP, steel, or aluminum). Depending where the thruster will be mounted in your boat will determine the length of the tunnel needed, a long tunnel can always be cut down in length.
    1. Most boats will use a GRP tunnel
    2. Steel boats use steel tunnels
    3. Aluminum boats use aluminum tunnels
  2. A Stern Tunnel, this will also depend on what thruster you want to use on your boat and what type of boat you have like the bow tunnel except the stern tunnels only come in one length.
    1. You may also need stern tunnel cowlings which redirect the flow away from other obstructions on the transom. They also make installation possible on shallow draft sterns.
    2. stern-tunnel-scoops-waterflow.jpg
  3. Control panels, there is a large selection of control panels you can select from to control your bow and stern thruster combination.
    1. The most commonly used for bow and stern thruster installations is the dual joystick control (SM8940G) and boat panel (SM8909C).
    2. Use one at each station, each station will need its own cable.
    3. A remote control also makes for a fantastic option when docking.
  4. Automatic Main Switch or Other Auxiliary and Separate fuse
    1. Side-Power's Automatic main switch is an extra safety feature and has a built in fuse - reduction in components. (You will need 1 for each thruster).
    2. Instead of a automatic main switch a fuse holder and an ANL fuse can be used (one set for each thruster).
  5. Control Cables 4 Wire or 5 Wire
    1. If you are using a an automatic main switch - you will need a 2x4 lead cables and 2x5 lead cables. (The 4 lead cables run from the thruster to the main switch and the 5 lead cables from the main switches to the control panel.
      1. A two station - two thruster system will have 2x4 lead cables, 4x5 lead cables, and 2x5 lead Y connectors.
    2. If you are are not using a main switch - you will need 2x4 lead cables (The cables route from the thruster to the control panel).
      1. A two station - two thruster system will have 4x4 lead cables and 2x4 lead Y connectors.
  6. Appropriately sized 2xbattery switch (350 AMP or 600 AMP)
  7. Appropriately sized battery and battery cables