VETUS BOW PRO Boosted 110 kgf 12/24V Bow Thruster 185mm Tunnel
VETUS BOW PRO Boosted 110 kgf 12/24V Bow Thruster 185mm Tunnel — Product description
VETUS's flagship BOW PRO bow or stern thruster in the 110-kilogram-force configuration with a built-in DC-to-DC smart charger that lets a 24V thruster bank run off a 12V boat. 185 mm tunnel, brushless induction motor, V-CAN connected, proportional control with lock-and-hold. Sized for 36 to 56 ft (11.5-18 m) sail or motor yachts.
The BOW PRO Boosted 110 is VETUS's premium bow or stern thruster for boats in the 36-to-56-foot range (11.5 to 18 meters), built around a brushless induction motor and the patented MCV motor controller that the rest of the BOW PRO line shares. The defining feature in this 110 kgf model is the exclusive built-in DC-to-DC smart charger that lets a 24V thruster supply bank live on a boat with a 12V house electrical system, no separate battery charger or DC-DC converter needed elsewhere in the install.
The DC-to-DC charger is the install game-changer for any boat refit. Traditional 24V thrusters on 12V boats require a separate isolated 24V house bank charged by a dedicated 12V-to-24V charger and a separate alternator output stage. The BOW PRO Boosted integrates that whole chain into the thruster itself, the unit accepts 12V house bank input, runs a three-stage smart charging process to a dedicated 24V thruster bank, and only charges when the input voltage is healthy enough not to drain the engine-start bank. For owners refitting from a 12V single-bank install to a higher-thrust 24V thruster, this is the cleanest way to do it.
Brushless induction is the motor choice for thrusters that need to deliver sustained thrust without the brush wear that traditional DC motor thrusters fight. There are no brushes to replace at periodic intervals, the motor runs longer between overhauls, and the proprietary MCV controller modulates the motor with high precision (no on/off behavior the way bang-bang controllers do) for proportional thrust on the joystick. Lock-and-hold control sets a thrust level and maintains it through a long maneuver without you having to hold the joystick at the same deflection, useful for holding the bow against a crosswind during a docking approach.
The MCV controller is V-CAN connected, which is VETUS's proprietary CANBUS protocol implementation. V-CAN handles control-panel communication, joystick input, fault reporting, and integration with other V-CAN-equipped VETUS accessories on the same boat. For owners building out a VETUS control ecosystem (joystick stations on the flybridge plus the helm plus the cockpit, with smart load management between them), V-CAN provides the backbone.
Performance specs put the BOW PRO Boosted 110 firmly in the upper-mid range of recreational thrusters. 110 kgf of thrust is the right power for the 36-56 ft target envelope, with 5.7 kW of motor power, 275 A current draw at full thrust, and a 10-minute continuous operating duration before the thermal protection kicks in to let the motor cool. The tunnel diameter is 185 mm (7.3 in), which is the standard 185 mm fitment that lets the BOW PRO Boosted 110 drop into existing tunnel installations from VETUS predecessors and from a wide range of competing-brand thrusters. Weight is 33 kg (73 lb).
Built-in protection is comprehensive. Overheat protection cuts the motor before it cooks, with automatic resume when the thermal sensors clear. Low-battery protection prevents the thruster from dragging the supply bank below safe voltage, which is the failure mode that kills lead-acid batteries permanently. Over-current protection guards against fault conditions in the motor or wiring. None of these need manual reset, the controller manages itself.
The BOW PRO line is engineered for drop-in installation in existing thruster tunnels from VETUS and most major competitors. The 185 mm tunnel diameter is the most common size in the 36-56 ft thruster bracket, so retrofitting from a worn-out original-equipment thruster to a BOW PRO Boosted 110 is typically a same-day install rather than a hull-modification project. The flange-mount geometry, the prop diameter, and the leg dimensions are all VETUS standard, with compatibility lists published for the common competing thrusters.
The unit's not ignition protected, which means it should not be installed in spaces where gasoline vapors can accumulate (gasoline engine compartments specifically). For diesel installations and electric-propulsion boats, this isn't an issue. The thruster it's also not retractable (a fixed tunnel thruster), and doesn't have extended runtime ratings beyond the 10-minute standard duration. For boats that need a retractable thruster for sailing performance, look at the VETUS BOW SQUAT range.
Key Features
- 110 kgf of thrust for boats 36 to 56 ft (11.5 to 18 m)
- Brushless induction motor for maintenance-free service
- Built-in DC-to-DC smart charger lets 24V thruster bank live on a 12V boat
- Three-stage smart charging protects the engine-start bank from drain
- Patented MCV motor controller for proportional thrust
- V-CAN CANBUS protocol for integration with VETUS control panels
- Lock-and-hold control sets and holds thrust without joystick deflection
- 5.7 kW motor power, 275 A current draw at full thrust
- 10-minute continuous operating duration with thermal protection
- 185 mm tunnel diameter, standard sizing for refit compatibility
- Drop-in replacement for VETUS and many competing-brand thrusters
- Built-in overheat, low-battery, and over-current protection
- Suitable for use as either bow or stern thruster
- 33 kg (73 lb) installed weight
Why Buy from NVN Marine
- Authorized VETUS reseller, full manufacturer warranty
- NMEA member and ABYC certified, advice from real boat techs
- Same-day shipping before 3 PM ET on in-stock items
- NY headquarters and Fort Lauderdale flagship retail store
Authorized VETUS dealer. Same-day shipping from our warehouse on in-stock thrusters. Full VETUS manufacturer warranty applies. We pre-verify your tunnel diameter and electrical system voltage before shipping, call us if you're unsure whether the 185 mm tunnel matches your boat or whether the built-in DC-to-DC charger is the right configuration for your house bank.
Technical specifications
| Title | VETUS BOW PRO Boosted 110 kgf 12/24V Bow Thruster 185mm Tunnel |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer Part Number | BOWB110 |
| UPC | Not assigned |
| Brand | VETUS |
| Model | BOW PRO Boosted 110 |
| Thrust | 110 kgf |
| Motor Type | Brushless induction |
| Motor Controller | Patented MCV |
| Motor Power | 5.7 kW |
| Voltage Operation | 12V input, 24V thruster bank (built-in DC-to-DC charger) |
| Tunnel Diameter | 185 mm (7.3 in) |
| Current Draw at Full Thrust | 275 A |
| Continuous Operating Duration | 10 minutes |
| Control Type | Proportional with lock-and-hold |
| Data Protocol | V-CAN CANBUS |
| Suitable Boat Size | 36 to 56 ft (11.5 to 18 m) |
| Mounting Position | Bow or stern |
| Retractable | No (fixed tunnel) |
| Ignition Protected | No |
| Built-in Smart Charger | Three-stage DC-to-DC, automatic activation |
| Built-in Protection | Overheat, low battery, over current |
| Weight | 33 kg (73 lb) |
Frequently asked questions
What size boat is the BOW PRO Boosted 110 for?
VETUS rates it for 36 to 56 feet (11.5 to 18 meters) as either a bow or stern thruster. The 110 kgf thrust output covers windage and current at that boat size for typical docking maneuvers. For larger boats, step up to the higher-thrust BOW PRO models.
What's the point of the built-in DC-to-DC charger?
It lets a 24V thruster supply bank live on a boat with a 12V house electrical system. Normally a 24V thruster on a 12V boat requires a separate 24V house bank and a dedicated 12V-to-24V charger, which means more wiring and more battery space. The BOW PRO Boosted integrates all of that into the thruster, you wire the 12V house bank into the thruster, and the built-in charger maintains a dedicated 24V thruster bank.
Does the smart charger drain my engine-start battery?
No. The three-stage smart charging process only activates when the input voltage is healthy (above the threshold where charging the thruster bank would put the start bank at risk). If the engine isn't running and the house bank voltage drops, the charger backs off automatically. That's the whole point of the smart-charger logic vs. a dumb DC-DC converter.
What tunnel diameter does it require?
185 mm (about 7.3 inches). This is the standard 185 mm fitment for the 36-56 ft thruster size class, so refitting from a worn-out original-equipment thruster or a competing brand's 185 mm thruster is typically a drop-in install.
How long can I run it continuously?
10 minutes of continuous duty before thermal protection kicks in to cool the motor. That's substantially longer than older brushed DC thrusters could manage, and it covers most realistic docking maneuvers (which are usually a few seconds of joystick input at a time, not continuous full-power).
Can I install it as a stern thruster too?
Yes. The BOW PRO Boosted 110 is rated for both bow and stern installations. For a boat running both bow and stern thrusters, V-CAN integration lets you control them from a single joystick station with coordinated forward and reverse logic.
What's the V-CAN connection for?
V-CAN is VETUS's proprietary CANBUS protocol implementation. It handles the data connection between the thruster and your control panels (joystick stations, displays, fault-reporting interfaces), and it lets multiple VETUS-branded accessories share a single backbone instead of running point-to-point wiring.
Does it require any maintenance?
Minimal. The brushless induction motor has no brushes to replace, no commutator to dress, no wear surfaces to track. Standard service is inspection of the propeller, seal check at the leg, anode replacement on a normal interval (annually for most installations), and occasional cleaning of the tunnel. Compare that to brushed-DC thrusters that need brush replacement every few hundred hours.
Is it ignition protected?
No. It should not be installed in spaces where gasoline vapors can accumulate (gasoline engine compartments specifically). For diesel installations and electric-propulsion boats, this isn't an issue. The thruster compartment on most 36-56 ft boats is well below the engine compartment and ventilates separately, so this rarely affects real-world installs.
Can it replace a competing brand thruster?
Often yes. The 185 mm tunnel diameter is the most common size in the 36-56 ft thruster bracket, and the BOW PRO Boosted 110 uses standard flange-mount geometry and leg dimensions that match the major competing brands. Confirm by checking the existing thruster's tunnel diameter and motor flange pattern against the BOW PRO spec sheet.
Is it proportional or on-off control?
Proportional. The MCV controller modulates motor speed and torque smoothly with joystick deflection, so a small joystick input produces a small thrust output and full deflection produces full thrust. Lock-and-hold extends this with the ability to set a thrust level and maintain it through a maneuver without holding the joystick.
What protection is built in?
Three layers. Overheat protection cuts the motor before thermal damage occurs, with automatic resume on cool-down. Low-battery protection prevents drag-down of the supply bank below safe voltage. Over-current protection guards against fault conditions. All three are automatic and require no manual reset.
