Lewmar 185TT 3.0 kW Gen 2 Thruster
#5 in 45 to 75 kgfFull 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
3.3/5
A solid, well supported thruster for a 26 to 37 ft boat, but you pay about $390 more than Sleipner for similar thrust.
- 45 kgfThrust
- 3 kWMotor
- 12 VSupply
- 125 mmTunnel
Check price at Amazon$1,836.41
Price checked November 4, 2026. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Pros
- 45 kgf in a small 125 mm tunnel
- Integrated thermal switch guards the motor
- Works for bow or stern with a separate stern tunnel
Cons
- Costs about $390 more than a Sleipner SE40 for about the same thrust
- Vetus publishes no weight or current draw
- Sold on Amazon by a third-party seller
The Vetus BOW family
Every Vetus BOW model we rank, smallest first. Ratings compare each against its own thrust.
| Model | Thrust | Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vetus BOW4512D Bow Thruster 45 kgf (this one) | 45 kgf | 3.3/5 | $1,836.41 |
| Vetus BOW5512D Bow Thruster 55 kgf | 55 kgf | 3.9/5 | $1,845.97 |
| Vetus BOW6012D Bow Thruster 60 kgf | 65 kgf | 4.6/5 | $2,242.61 |
| Vetus BOW7512D Bow Thruster 75 kgf | 75 kgf | 3.4/5 | $2,026.32 |
| Vetus BOW9512D Bow Thruster 95 kgf | 95 kgf | 3.2/5 | $3,734.35 |
How it scores
The rating comes from 4 measured or published factors, each scored 0-100 against fixed reference points for its thrust. How we rank explains each one.
Specifications
| Model number | BOW4512D |
|---|---|
| Thrust | |
| Rated thrust | 45 kgf |
| Style | Tunnel |
| Propellers | Single |
| Bow or stern use | Yes |
| Boat length | 26-37 ft |
| Electrical | |
| Supply | 12 V |
| Motor | 3 kW |
| Current draw | 300 A |
| Continuous run | 4 min |
| Build | |
| Tunnel diameter | 125 mm |
Alternatives in this thrust
Vetus BOW7512D Bow Thruster 75 kgf
#6 in 45 to 75 kgfFull 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
Lewmar 185TT 4.0 kW Gen 2 Thruster
#8 in 45 to 75 kgfFull 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
Compare
Compare the Vetus BOW4512D Bow Thruster 45 kgf with any other bow thruster →
More from Vetus: every Vetus product ranked.