Whether cruising or performing tricky maneuvers, boating should be a pleasurable pastime. External, joystick-controlled bow thrusters from Sideshift help keep even the most intricate docking and piloting simple and stress-free. With three different models to choose from, the SS230, SS340 and SS350, Sideshift’s bow thrusters fit cruisers, sailboats, sport boats, pontoon boats, houseboats, catamarans and trawlers from 20′ to 50′.

This innovative product requires no tunnel, avoiding the leakage problems associated with conventional through-hull thruster systems. External mounting makes Sideshift thruster installation simple and economical, with no holes necessary below the waterline. DIY-friendly, the kit can usually be installed in under a day.

Unlike with a tunnel thruster, a Sideshift-equipped boat remains free from drag. When planing, the thruster is lifted from the water, so there’s nothing to slow the craft down or cause it to veer off course.

Because it’s located on a boat’s forward-most location, the Sideshift bow thruster enables maximum turning power and responsiveness. This results in precision and ease at the wheel when navigating narrow channels or tight corners. Even backing into a slip is effortless and uncomplicated with Sideshift’s joystick control.

Sideshift bow thrusters are anode-protected and finished in anti-fouling paint over epoxy primer to ensure their durability in salt water. A powerful water-cooled 12V or 24V DC motor drives heavy-duty, 8″ aluminum propellers, which pull the boat quietly and smoothly.

The 2.5 hp SS230 bow thruster measures 12″ W x 27″ L and is for boats up to 30′. It requires one 12V 850CCA starting type or gel cell battery. The 5 hp SS340, for boats up to 40′, measures 24″ W x 27″ L, while the 7.5 hp SS350, for those up to 50′, measures 22.5″ W x 27″ L. The SS340 and SS350 models each require two batteries. In addition to bow thrusters, Sideshift also manufactures stern-mounted thrusters.

Shipped as a complete kit, Sideshift bow thrusters come with motor, props, installation hardware, 50′ joystick wiring harness, 10′ motor wiring harness, motor controller and joystick. Suggested retail prices start at $3,495.

Image courtesy Sideshift