Bow Thrusters - your questions answered

What is a bow thruster?
A bow thruster offers boat owners the ability to be fully in control when handling their boat, particularly when docking and departing single engine boats. A bow thruster is fitted to the bow of the boat and works by giving a side-directional thrust force which gives greater manoeuvrability, regardless of weather conditions.

Why have a bow thruster installed?
Manoeuvring in tight marinas and slips can be stressful for even the most experienced boater so having a bow thruster fitted will enable you to navigate your way out of challenging corners with ease. A bow thruster can act as a helping hand when it comes to handling your boat, particularly at low speed and it doesn’t matter whether it’s windy or there are turbulent currents, your bow thruster will continue to give you better control over your boat. It’s a confidence boost that allows you to relax and enjoy your boating experience all year round.

Can you fit a bow thruster to any boat?
ELITE Marine Services can fit a bow thruster to your boat whether it’s a motorboat, sailing boat or narrowboat. We have experience of fitting thrusters to all kinds of boats, ensuring that the position of the tunnel is correct and that the thruster is installed to achieve the optimum performance.

Which bow thrusters do you recommend?
At ELITE Marine Services we install Side-Power thrusters. You may come across a number of alternative brands but Side-Power thrusters are renowned for their reliability and quality. A vast number of the world’s leading boat builders use Side-Power systems on their boats. Not only are the Side-Power systems reliable, they are easy to install which saves time and proves a cost-effective option for our customers. Additionally the thrusters boast unrivalled safety features to protect you and your passengers.

How difficult is it to install a bow thruster and how long does it take?
The technicians at ELITE Marine Services are experienced in the installation of Side-Power bow thrusters so it can take a team just one day to fully install the system. The boat must be lifted out of the water. It is important to choose the correct bow thruster for your size and weight of boat which is why the team at ELITE take the time to talk to customers about their specific requirements and make sure their needs are fully understood.

To find out more about Side-Power bow thrusters or to get an estimate for installation contact the team at ELITE on 01684 294017 or email enquiries@elite-marine.com.