The most common type of boat thruster is a tunnel thruster installed in the bow or stern of a vessel with one or two propellers driven by an electric or hydraulic motor. There are three common reasons why a DC electric thruster may perform less than desired, whereas number one is considered most common: Too low power supply to the electric motor under load. Jet thrusters use a water-jet impeller with a hull-mounted intake instead of an open tunnel, which suits shallow-draft boats or fine bow sections where cutting a full tunnel is impractical. MAURIPRO Sailing stocks Sleipner bow thruster options, listed in Sleipner bow stern thrusters.
Sleipner bow thruster at a glance
| Product | Brand | What it is for |
|---|---|---|
| Side-Power (Sleipner) Bow Thrusters - SE60 Electric 12V 132.3 lbf (60.0 kgf) | Sleipner | Its compact design fits easily into narrow bows making it the perfect match for our smaller models. |
| Side-Power (Sleipner) Bow Thrusters - SE80 Electric 12V 176.4 lbf (80.0 kgf) | Sleipner | Its compact design fits easily into narrow bows making it the perfect match for our smaller models. |
| Side-Power (Sleipner) Bow Thrusters - SE100 Electric 12V 220.5 lbf (100.0 kgf) | Sleipner | Its compact design fits easily into narrow bows making it the perfect match for our smaller models. |
| Side-Power (Sleipner) Bow Thrusters - SR80 Electric 12V 176.4 lbf (80.0 kgf) | Sleipner | Achieved by composite bushings around the bolts and beneath the washers and a bushing in the motor bracket electrically isolating the drive housing from the mot |
What does a Sleipner bow thruster actually do?
Available as standard version (on/off), PROTM version (variable speed control), and IP PROTM version (with ignition protection and variable speed control), extending from 20 kg to 300 kg of thrust. Our thruster models allow installation at any angle on the tunnel, tailored to fit any space available in your vessel. 8* Please provide thruster serial # when ordering brushes spring for motor. 9* Please provide thruster serial # when ordering temp switch.
How do you match a Sleipner bow thruster to your boat?
TWIN PROPELLERS Twin propellers can provide more thrust than a single propeller system in the same tunnel diameter. Do not attempt to fit replacement parts unless you are competent. Check if you can upgrade to a more powerful electric motor within the current tunnel diameter. Its compact design fits easily into narrow bows making it the perfect match for our smaller models. This is our choice for our mid-range models where high thrust is required in a small tunnel diameter.
What separates the Sleipner bow thruster options we stock?
Side-Power (Sleipner) Bow Thrusters - SE60 Electric 12V 132.3 lbf (60.0 kgf)
Achieved by composite bushings around the bolts and beneath the washers and a bushing in the motor bracket electrically isolating the drive housing from the motor bracket. See the full Sleipner listing.
What build details matter on a Sleipner bow thruster?
For our standard Sleipner DC powered thrusters, the model number can be found on the front cover and the serial number on the badge on the electric motor.
What else decides the choice?
Normal 0 21 false false false NO-BOK X-NONE X-NONE Not necessarily. Normal 0 21 false false false NO-BOK X-NONE X-NONE Yes, you can, but not without taking some precautions. Normal 0 21 false false false NO-BOK X-NONE X-NONE Yes. A drop of only 1-2V can correspond to a significant loss of thrust.
How do I choose the right Sleipner bow thruster for a 35 ft sailboat?
- Side-Power (Sleipner) Bow Thrusters - SE60 Electric 12V 132.3 lbf (60.0 kgf) — Its compact design fits easily into narrow bows making it the perfect match for our smaller models.
- Side-Power (Sleipner) Bow Thrusters - SE80 Electric 12V 176.4 lbf (80.0 kgf) — Its compact design fits easily into narrow bows making it the perfect match for our smaller models.
- Side-Power (Sleipner) Bow Thrusters - SE100 Electric 12V 220.5 lbf (100.0 kgf) — Its compact design fits easily into narrow bows making it the perfect match for our smaller models.
- Side-Power (Sleipner) Bow Thrusters - SR80 Electric 12V 176.4 lbf (80.0 kgf) — Achieved by composite bushings around the bolts and beneath the washers and a bushing in the motor bracket electrically isolating the drive housing from the motor bracket.
Frequently asked questions
What should you check first when buying a Sleipner bow thruster?
The thruster is not dimensioned correctly for the vessel's size from the beginning.
How is a Sleipner bow thruster mounted or set up?
What else should you know about a Sleipner bow thruster?
Once you have a thrust target, verify that your battery bank and cabling can sustain the peak amperage draw — electric thrusters pull high-amperage bursts, typically 60–200A, for the 5–8 seconds of continuous use a normal docking maneuver requires.
What else should you know about a Sleipner bow thruster?
Access the thruster motor: Remove the inspection hatch or motor cover.
Where can you buy a Sleipner bow thruster?
MAURIPRO Sailing stocks the Sleipner bow thruster options shown above, with the full selection in Sleipner bow stern thrusters.
Shop Sleipner bow stern thrusters →
Shop Sleipner bow stern thrusters tunnels →
Shop Bow stern thrusters bow thrusters →
Shop Sleipner bow stern thrusters bow thrusters →
Last updated: September 23, 2026.