The Sleipner Side-Power Range
Sleipner Side-Power is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of electric tunnel thrusters for leisure and commercial craft. Their range covers every vessel size and installation type:
- SE Series (Standard DC Thrusters) — Side-Power’s core range of 12V and 24V tunnel bow and stern thrusters, from the SE30 (40 kgf, 125 mm tunnel) for smaller yachts up to the SE210 (250 kgf, 250 mm tunnel) for larger motor yachts. Available in single and twin-prop configurations.
- SE PRO Series (Variable Speed) — the PRO versions of the SE range feature proportional speed control, giving finer and more precise manoeuvring. Available on the SEP60 PRO (73 kgf) and SEP100T PRO (116 kgf) models among others. Highly recommended for vessels where precise handling in tight spaces is important.
- SX Series (External / Retractable Thrusters) — the SX series are external pod thrusters designed for vessels where tunnel installation is not practical, including fin-keel yachts with limited bow volume and GRP construction boats where tunnel cutting is not possible. Available in SX35 (43 kgf) and SX50 (50 kgf) variants, in On/Off and PRO (variable speed) versions.
Professional Side-Power Thruster Installer
A thruster installation is one of the most technically demanding jobs on a boat — done well, it transforms your manoeuvring; done poorly, it can leak, fail or cause structural problems. At Mountbatten Boathouse, we plan every installation carefully before lifting a tool.
Our installation process includes:
- Survey and specification — we assess your vessel, tunnel position, hull construction and electrical system to specify the correct thruster model, tunnel diameter and battery requirements.
- Tunnel cutting — precision cutting of the tunnel aperture using specialist tooling appropriate to your hull material (GRP, steel, aluminium or timber).
- Tube and motor installation — tube sealing, motor mounting and alignment to the Sleipner Side-Power technical specification.
- Electrical installation — correct cable sizing is critical for thruster performance. We size and install cables, fuses, control panels and helm controls to the required standard.
- Commissioning and testing — full operational test at the dock and, where required, sea trial to confirm performance.
Servicing & Repairs
We service and repair existing Side-Power and Sleipner thruster installations, including motor brush replacement, tube seal replacement, control panel faults and propeller damage. Annual inspection is recommended for all tunnel thrusters, particularly in salt water.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size bow thruster do I need for my boat?
Thruster sizing depends on your boat’s displacement, length, windage and typical operating conditions. As a rough guide, Side-Power recommend approximately 1 kgf of thrust per 100 kg of displacement, but wind and current conditions can significantly increase the thrust needed. We will size the thruster correctly for your vessel — contact us with your boat’s details and we will advise.
Can a bow thruster be fitted to any yacht?
Most yachts can be fitted with a tunnel thruster, though the feasibility depends on hull shape, bow volume and construction. For fin-keel yachts or boats with shallow bow sections, the SX external thruster series may be more suitable. We assess every vessel individually before recommending an installation type.
What battery bank do I need for a bow thruster?
Thrusters draw high current for short periods. Side-Power recommend a dedicated leisure battery or battery bank, sized to the thruster’s current draw. We specify the correct battery requirement as part of every installation survey and can supply and install batteries if needed.
How long does a bow thruster installation take?
A typical bow thruster installation on a standard GRP yacht takes 1–2 days depending on hull access, electrical routing and any additional control panel work. We will give you a specific time estimate after the initial survey.
If you need a Sleipner Side-Power thruster installer, service or
repair, call us on 01752 482666 or email sales@mountbattenboathouse.co.uk.
We are open Monday to Friday 8:30am-5:30pm and Saturday 9am-5pm
at Eastern Hangar, Shaw Way, Plymouth Yacht Haven, PL9 9XH.