Best Bow Thrusters From 45 to 75 kgf Ranked

8 thrusters of 45 to 75 kgf for cruisers and sailboats of about 30 to 45 ft.

Last updated: November 4, 2026

This is the biggest class: Sleipner SE50 and SE60, four Vetus BOW models and two Lewmar 185TT units, all 12 V, with a 125 to 185 mm tunnel. They cost about $1,700 to $3,100, and the price per kgf runs from about $27 to $48.

Prices were last checked November 4, 2026. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon or the retailer's site at the time of purchase apply. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

Full ranking 8

  1. Vetus BOW6012D Bow Thruster 60 kgf
    #1 of 84.6Full review

    A step up from the BOW5512D for a 27 to 40 ft boat, though Vetus gives two different thrust figures and a Sleipner SE60 costs less.

    Amazon $2,242.61
    $2,242.61
    65 kgf3 kW12 V
  2. Sleipner SE50 Tunnel Bow Thruster 12V
    #2 of 83.9Full review

    A mid-size bow thruster for a 26 to 36 ft boat. Buy the SE60 instead if you also want a stern thruster of the same family.

    Amazon $1,700
    $1,700
    50 kgf2.4 kW12 V
  3. Vetus BOW5512D Bow Thruster 55 kgf
    #3 of 83.9Full review

    The Vetus pick for a 26 to 39 ft boat, at about the price of a Sleipner SE60 but with less thrust.

    Amazon $1,845.97
    $1,845.97
    55 kgf3 kW12 V
  4. Sleipner SE60 Tunnel Thruster 12V
    #4 of 83.9Full review

    The best value in the range for a 30 to 39 ft boat, with enough thrust for a heavy cruiser in moderate wind.

    Amazon $1,900
    $1,900
    60 kgf3.1 kW12 V
  5. Lewmar 185TT 3.0 kW Gen 2 Thruster
    #5 of 83.6Full review

    Lewmar’s mid-large thruster. It matches a Sleipner SE60 on thrust but costs about $300 more.

    Amazon $2,197.12
    $2,197.12
    58 kgf3 kW12 V
  6. Vetus BOW7512D Bow Thruster 75 kgf
    #6 of 83.4Full review

    The lowest price per kgf in the list and the best value for a 30 to 45 ft boat.

    Amazon $2,026.32
    $2,026.32
    75 kgf4.4 kW12 V
  7. Vetus BOW4512D Bow Thruster 45 kgf
    #7 of 83.3Full review

    A solid, well supported thruster for a 26 to 37 ft boat, but you pay about $390 more than Sleipner for similar thrust.

    Amazon $1,836.41
    $1,836.41
    45 kgf3 kW12 V
  8. Lewmar 185TT 4.0 kW Gen 2 Thruster
    #8 of 83.0Full review

    The strongest 12 V Lewmar in this list. It costs about $48 per kgf; a Vetus BOW7512D gives more thrust for about $1,000 less.

    Amazon $3,099.99
    $3,099.99
    65 kgf4 kW12 V