Thrusterpedia

Which boat thruster, what it costs, how to get it installed

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Drawing of a retractable thruster: a door in the hull bottom, hinged at its forward edge, swung down with the thruster on it.
Our drawing of a retractable thruster, the same for every maker. It is not Sleipner’s own design.

Sleipner · retractable thruster · bow or stern

Sleipner SRV80: specs, price and the boats it fits

It gives 212 lb (96 kgf) of push. Sleipner sells it for boats of 33 to 49 ft. It runs on 12 V or 24 V.

The unit$11,000Equipment only, Imtra, read 26 October 2026
Installed by a yard, 40 ft boat$19,149 to $25,552Our estimate: the unit, labor, haul-out, battery and parts
  • Haul-out to install
  • DIY 2 of 5: wiring prep only
  • 2-year warranty

Quick stats

  • Thrust 212 lb 96 kgf, Sleipner's rating
  • Boat length 33 to 49 ft Sleipner's own range
  • Price per lb of thrust $51.89 Unit only. $90 to $121 installed
  • Voltage 12 V or 24 V As sold
  • Battery at 12 V 1,045 CCA One battery, near the thruster
  • Run limit Not published Ask the maker before long use
  • To install it Haul-out The boat comes out of the water
  • Anodes $42.30 A change, at Defender

About the Sleipner SRV80

The SRV80 is a retractable for boats of about 33 to 49 ft, giving 212 lb of push at 12 or 24 V. Its motor is installed vertically, which Sleipner says reduces shock forces on the unit in steep waves, and the boat needs the headroom above the hull to match.

Imtra, Sleipner’s US distributor, lists the 12 V build at $11,000, before a separate tariff line, and gives no price for the 24 V one. Add the yard’s work on the hull opening and housing. On 24 V it runs from two batteries in series near the unit, which halves the current and lightens the cable. The parts list.

Read more

It is push-button on/off and rated for 2 to 3 minutes of running at a time. Sleipner pitches retractables at performance boats, sail or power, because nothing hangs in the water when it is up. Warranty: two years, transferable.

The full spec sheet for a yard sits lower down, and the Sleipner (Side-Power) review covers Sleipner’s whole range.

Sleipner sold its thrusters under the Side-Power name until 2021, and many dealers and owners still call them that. It is the same company and the same thrusters.

Where this summary comes from (5 sources, read 15 October 2026)

Will the Sleipner SRV80 steer your boat?

53 FT TRAWLER · BOW · 15 KT WIND

Size forThis page always opens on Steering.

Every knot figure here is wind speed, not boat speed or current.

Steers her at 16 kt

On a 53 ft trawler the Sleipner SRV80 (212 lb) steers her in a 16 knot breeze. Her bow needs about 188 lb from a retractable to steer her in a 15 knot breeze.

The finder lists it for her.

18.5 FT LEVER Sleipner SRV80 pivot

A retractable at the bow of a 53 ft trawler 188 lb ★ this unit · 1 to 3: the three cheapest others that steer her at 13 kt or more, installed

  1. ★ Sleipner SRV80 this unit 212 lb · retractable from $19,479 Steers her at 16 kt
  2. 1 Lewmar RT185 MX Gen 2 214 lb · retractable from $17,321 Steers her at 16 kt
  3. 2 Max Power VIP 150 electric, 12V 212 lb · retractable from $17,586 Steers her at 16 kt
  4. 3 Sleipner SRVP80 PRO 212 lb · retractable from $18,989 Steers her at 16 kt

The Sleipner SRV80 on a trawler, by length

  1. 25 ft34 kt
  2. 30 ft28 kt
  3. 35 ft24 kt
  4. 40 ft21 kt
  5. 45 ft19 kt
  6. 50 ft17 kt
  7. 55 ft15 kt
  8. 60 ft14 kt
  9. 65 ft13 kt
  10. 70 ft12 kt
  11. 75 ft11 kt
  12. 80 ft11 kt

Outlined: the finder does not list it at that length (under 13 kt, far more than she needs, or outside Sleipner’s own length range).

  • Under 10 kt
  • 10 to 15 kt
  • 15 to 20 kt: the sweet spot
  • Over 20 kt: more than she needs

Prices are the low end of the installed total, from our estimate. For your own boat, drive and installer, the finder prices each unit.

Is it right for your boat?

What Sleipner says 33 to 49 ft The maker's own range, from its listing
What our sizing says 43 to 53 ft Full thrust in 15 knots, across the kinds of boat it fits
Every kind of boat it fits, by length ten boat types
Which boats it fits, by length
Boat Full thrust at 15 knotsStill a fit, in lighter wind
Pontoon & tritoon Not listed. A retractable drops down inside the hull, and a pontoon has no hull depth to drop into.
Sailboat 41 to 53 ft None
Houseboat 31 to 43 ft 44 to 49 ftfull thrust to about 13 knots at 49 ft
Catamaran 46 to 53 ft None
Trawler 41 to 53 ft None
Motor yacht 41 to 53 ft None
Bass & flats Not listed. A retractable needs hull depth to drop into, and these planing hulls have almost none forward.
Wake & ski boats Not listed. A retractable needs hull depth to drop into, and these planing hulls have almost none forward.
Express cruiser 52 to 53 ft None
Center console No length. More thrust than the boat needs.

The Sleipner SRV80 against each kind of boat, in a 15 knot wind. Our sizing, from the finder’s own rules.

The first column is where one unit gives all the thrust the boat needs in 15 knots. The second is where the finder still lists it: the unit steers her in a 13 or 14 knot wind, within 15 percent of the 15 knot breeze this site sizes for. On a boat shorter than the first column’s shortest length, the unit is more than the boat needs.

How we size it

Our figure is the longest boat one unit can steer in a 15 knot wind. It is a range because each kind of boat catches the wind differently. Here a houseboat gets full thrust to 43 ft, and a sailboat to 53 ft. The maker gives one range for every boat.

The table tries the Sleipner SRV80 on each kind of boat, at every length that kind of boat is built in. The wind is 15 knots and the rules are the finder’s own. A length counts as a fit when the unit gives the thrust that boat needs at the bow and the maker lists it for that length.

A boat up to 10 percent past the maker’s range still counts here, as it does in the finder. So the table runs down to 31 ft and up to 53 ft, just past Sleipner’s own range (33 to 49 ft).

It is sized for six kinds of boat here. For your own boat, the finder gives an answer that also counts your drive and who does the installing. The compare page sets this unit beside others.

What it costs installed

A yard job, everything in. Our estimate.

Installed by a yard
Boat Total installed
31 ft $18,989 to $21,522$90 to $102 a lb of thrust
40 ft $19,149 to $25,552$90 to $121 a lb of thrust
53 ft $19,479 to $31,222$92 to $147 a lb of thrust

From the shortest to the longest boat it is sized for.

What is in each total five lines

These totals are our estimate of a yard job: the unit’s price, plus a yard’s hours at $160 to $180 an hour, plus the batteries, cable and charger, plus the other parts the box does not hold. A Lifting the boat out of the water on a travel lift or a trailer so work can be done below the waterline. It is billed separately from the job itself. adds $550 to $2,560 at these lengths, with 5 to 7 days out of the water, worked from eight yards’ own rate cards. The hours are our own estimate. The cost page builds the same figures line by line.

Each line of the estimate
Boat length The unit Yard labor Haul-out Batteries, cable, charger Other parts
31 ft $11,000 $6,400 to $7,200about 40 hours $550 to $1,500 $703 to $1,007 $336 to $815
40 ft $11,000 $6,400 to $10,80040 to 60 hours $710 to $1,930 $703 to $1,007 $336 to $815
53 ft $11,000 $6,400 to $15,84040 to 88 hours $1,040 to $2,560 $703 to $1,007 $336 to $815

For every length in the table above.

How the batteries, cable and charger add up. We price a battery bank close to the thruster, as the makers recommend, with 10 to 20 ft of cable out and back: red for the positive, black for the negative, cut to length. The low end is the cheapest battery that meets the figure and the shorter run; the high end is a sealed (AGM) battery and the longer run. The charger is a NOCO GEN5X2 two-bank shore charger.

Batteries and lugs are priced at Fisheries Supply and the cable and charger at Defender, read 26 October 2026.

  • At 24 V: two 12 V batteries in series, at least 570 CCA each (Sleipner’s minimum), $720 for both; Sleipner’s cable table gives 2 AWG, priced on 1 AWG, the nearest size cut to length: $80 to $141 for the red and black cable and the lugs; a GEN5X2 charger, $146.
  • At 12 V: one 12 V battery, at least 1,045 CCA (Sleipner’s minimum), $443 to $552 for the battery; Sleipner’s cable table gives 2/0 AWG: $114 to $201 for the red and black cable and the lugs; a GEN5X2 charger, $146.

The sizing and the costs on this page are estimates, for guidance only and without warranty. They are no quote, and nobody has inspected your boat. Check them against the maker’s manual and your yard before you rely on them. Terms of use.

DIY breakdown

DIY 2 of 5: Wiring prep only. The yard installs the unit and does the hull work; you do the wiring prep.

DIY levels

  • Level 5: Owner install. No yard, no electrician.
  • Level 4: You install it, electrician connects. You mount and wire it; a marine electrician makes the final connections.
  • Level 3: Split with the yard. The yard does the below-waterline part; you do the wiring.
  • Level 2: Wiring prep only. The yard installs the unit and does the hull work; you do the wiring prep.
  • Level 1: Yard job. A qualified professional does all of it.

You Yard Electrician. The bar is labor hours; a haul-out is a note.

How we rate DIY

You: 4 to 16 hours Yard: 40 to 88 hours Electrician: 2 to 4 hours Plus a haul-out.

Your part needs:Heavy battery cableCrimping big lugs

Every step, and who does it three steps
  1. Cut the hull and fit the housing and mechanism Yard 40 to 88 hours Nobody publishes an hours figure. Fisheries Supply says installation is significantly more expensive than a tunnel, and that is too loose to turn into a number. So this is the tunnel’s own banded figure plus a quarter, which keeps it above a tunnel as the distributors describe it.
  2. Mount the battery box, switch and fuse holder; run and secure the cables You 4 to 16 hours Our estimate. No maker times this step, and a first-time owner is slower than a yard, so the range is wide.
  3. Final connections at the battery and the motor, load test Electrician 2 to 4 hours Our estimate. Nobody publishes a time for the final connections and test on their own.

A qualified marine electrician should make the final connections and test them before first use. Hours are labor only.

Related videos

Two of Sleipner’s own videos, from its YouTube channel. They play only when you tap. A maker’s video is its pitch, so take any claim back to the figures on this page.

Sleipner Retract Installation guide for the SRV and SRL models (2019).Maker Sleipner’s own channel
Solo Sailing Made Easy: X-Yachts Reviews Sleipner's ERV100 Retract Thrusters on the XC-47Maker Sleipner’s own channel

Know before you buy

What sets this model apart, what it costs to keep, and what to weigh.

Price per pound of thrust

$51.89 a lb The unit’s price over its published thrust. The bars are Sleipner’s next sizes and the nearest other makers.

Controls

Gasket, bolts and anode with the unit. The panel, its cable, the fuse and main switch are bought.

  • Sleipner 8700, no US price found.

Anodes

$42.30 a change

They sit below the waterline, so a change means a haul-out or a diver.

Service and warranty

Sleipner gives 2 years for leisure use and 1 for commercial use. It transfers to the next owner, and it starts no later than 18 months after the boat's first launch.

See Sleipner’s warranty Sleipner's warranty statement, effective 1 April 2022.

Special mentions

Battery: at 12 V it wants one battery of 1,045 CCA or more, Sleipner's figure. The cheapest that meets it is the Dyno Group 8D heavy duty marine starting (flooded), $443.02. A sealed one is the Lifeline GPL-3100HC Group 31 AGM starting, $551.95. Check your own bank.

Charger: a NOCO GEN5X2 two-bank shore charger, $146.41. It is the one our estimate prices.

Sleipner sells it for either end, so it can go at the bow or the stern.

Dealer prices at Fisheries Supply, read 26 October 2026.

What to weigh

The boat comes out of the water to install it: it needs a large hull opening below the waterline.

At 12 V it draws 530 A, so the battery cable is heavy and the battery sits close to it.

Parts for the Sleipner SRV80

See the Sleipner SRV80 manual

The US dealer number comes first, then Sleipner’s own. Prices are each dealer’s on the day shown, before shipping and tax. Check the plate on your motor before you order: some parts change with the tunnel size, the voltage or the year.

For the install what the box leaves you to buy

21 parts

The manual button above opens it on the maker's product page. It has the hull, wiring and fuse figures for this model.

From Sleipner’s SR LV 80 and 100 installation manual, document 2881 rev 20, 2026, read 16 October 2026.

In the box
The manual prints no box list. It mentions the M10 hatch bolts and a red spacer block, and says some models arrive with the motor already on the housing. It does not say whether the SRF flange is in the box.
Bought separately
The battery, the ANL fuse, a main switch (manual or Sleipner's automatic one), the battery cable, the control panel, and the S-Link cables with their T-connectors and end terminators.
Charging
The word "charging" is not in any of the Sleipner guides we read. The battery is sized by cold cranking amps, and a battery near the thruster is suggested. How it gets charged is left to you and your installer.

In Sleipner’s words, from its SE80 to SE150 installation guide, document 2687 rev 30, page 19: “For installations on large vessels with bow and stern thrusters or catamarans a dedicated battery for each thruster should be considered.”

The “other parts” line in the estimate above covers these parts as a range, $336 to $815 at Fisheries Supply’s prices on 30 September 2026 and 26 October 2026, because the exact items depend on your boat. The batteries, cable and charger have a line of their own. The cost page has what every maker says about each part.

Control panel

Ask for Sleipner 8700.

Not sold at Fisheries Supply. Ask a Sleipner dealer.

Part number See the line above.

S-Link backbone cable

Fisheries Supply lists it as “S-Link backbone cable, 0.2 m”.

Sold in lengths from 0.2 to 20 m. This is the shortest: measure the run from the helm to the thruster and buy the length that reaches.

Part number SM61320-0.2M

S-Link spur cables

Fisheries Supply lists it as “S-Link spur cable, 0.4 m”.

Sold in lengths from 0.4 to 5 m. This is the shortest: measure the run from the helm to the thruster and buy the length that reaches. You need 2.

Part number SM61321-0.4M

S-Link T-connector

Fisheries Supply lists it as “S-Link T-connector”.

You need 3.

Part number SM61326

S-Link end terminator

Fisheries Supply lists it as “S-Link end terminator”.

You need 2.

Part number SM61327

S-Link power cable, 8 ft

Fisheries Supply lists it as “S-Link power cable, 8 ft”.

Part number SM61328

Main fuse

Fisheries Supply lists it as “Side-Power ANL fuse 250 A”. This one is for the 24 V version.

The maker's figure: ANL 250.

Part number SMANL250

Main fuse

Fisheries Supply lists it as “Side-Power ANL fuse 400 A”. This one is for the 12 V version.

The maker's figure: ANL 400.

Part number SMANL400

Fuse holder

Fisheries Supply lists it as “ANL compact fuse block, 35 to 300 A, cable up to 2/0, with cover”. This one is for the 24 V version.

Part number 3803

Fuse holder

Fisheries Supply lists it as “ANL fuse block, 35 to 750 A, cable up to 4/0, with cover”. This one is for the 12 V version.

Part number 3903

Battery switch

Fisheries Supply lists it as “m-Series 300 A battery switch, on/off”. This one is for the 24 V version.

Rated at or above the 250 A main fuse. If your manual names its own switch, use that one.

Part number 2306

Battery switch

Fisheries Supply lists it as “HD-Series 600 A battery switch, on/off”. This one is for the 12 V version.

Rated at or above the 400 A main fuse. If your manual names its own switch, use that one.

Part number 3000

Control-circuit fuse holder

Fisheries Supply lists it as “Waterproof in-line ATO/ATC fuse holder”.

The maker asks for a 2 A fuse on the control supply.

Part number 5065

Batteries

Fisheries Supply lists it as “Optima BlueTop SC27DM Group 27 AGM”. This one is for the 24 V version.

You need 2, each at 570 CCA or more, in series for 24 V. The cheapest listing that meets it.

Part number BAT SC27DM

Batteries

Fisheries Supply lists it as “Dyno Group 8D heavy duty marine starting (flooded)”. This one is for the 12 V version.

One at 1,045 CCA or more. The cheapest listing that meets it.

Part number DNO 8DC

Battery cable, red and black

Defender lists it as “Ancor tinned battery cable 1 AWG, cut to length, red or black”. This one is for the 24 V version.

You need 10 ft of each color. For about 20 ft of cable in all, out and back. Measure your run and check it against the cable table in the manual: never go smaller than it asks for.

Part number None on the listing. Order it by name.

Battery cable, red and black

Defender lists it as “Ancor tinned battery cable 2/0 AWG, cut to length, red or black”. This one is for the 12 V version.

You need 10 ft of each color. For about 20 ft of cable in all, out and back. Measure your run and check it against the cable table in the manual: never go smaller than it asks for.

Part number None on the listing. Order it by name.

Cable lugs

Fisheries Supply lists it as “Tin-plated starter lugs, 1 AWG, bag of 10”. This one is for the 24 V version.

The listing runs $20.52 to $22.06 by stud size. Eight ends on one run, with two spare.

Part number 91066-P10

Cable lugs

Fisheries Supply lists it as “Tin-plated starter lugs, 2/0 AWG, bag of 10”. This one is for the 12 V version.

The listing runs $27.96 to $29.36 by stud size. Eight ends on one run, with two spare.

Part number 91066-P10

Charger

Fisheries Supply lists it as “GEN5X2 on-board charger, 10 A, 2 banks”.

Or a DC-to-DC charger from the house system: ask the electrician.

Part number GEN5X2

Retract controller

Ask for Sleipner retract electronic control unit 150000.

Runs the hatch actuator. The manual does not say whether it comes with the thruster: check before you buy.

Part number See the line above.

Outside the hull replacement parts in the water

4 parts

Anode (takes two)

The metal that wears away in the water so the drive does not. Sleipner calls it “Anode, aluminium SE60/80/100”.

Part number SM71190A Sleipner 71190A
See it at Defender$14.40 Price read 29 Oct 2026

Anode on the retract mechanism (zinc)

The metal that wears away in the water so the drive does not. Sleipner calls it “Anode, zinc 4/6 Hp up to 1999”.

Sleipner's name for it says "4/6 Hp up to 1999", but its parts lists show it in the retract mechanism of these models (SM900460 6 1180 on the SRV/SRL pages).

Part number SM61180 Sleipner 61180
See it at Defender$13.50 Price read 29 Oct 2026

Tunnel anode rod

The metal that wears away in the water so the drive does not. Sleipner calls it “Anode rod for SRV thrusters”.

Sleipner lists it for the retract assembly that this model's own page names (8 0650, 8 0651, 13 0650, 13 0652, 13 0653, 13 0654 or 20 0651); on some model pages it is listed directly. Sleipner's SM number for it is SM906006. The SRL170 and SRV210 are not on its list.

Part number 140629
See it at Sleipner No US price found

Seal kit for the horizontal shaft (185 mm)

It keeps water out of the joint it sits in. Sleipner calls it “Seal kit horizontal shaft Retract Ø185mm”.

Listed in the kits on each of these models' pages.

Part number SM182424
See it at Sleipner No US price found

Inside the boat replacement parts on board

7 parts

Lift actuator kit, 12 V

Sleipner calls it “Actuator kit 12v Retract 185-250mm”. It fits the 12V size on this page.

Listed on each of these models' pages.

Part number SM167692
See it at Sleipner No US price found

Lift actuator kit, 24 V

Sleipner calls it “Actuator kit 24 v Retract 185-250mm”. It fits the 24V size on this page.

Listed on each of these models' pages.

Part number SM167585
See it at Sleipner No US price found

Solenoid (the motor switch)

The heavy switch that sends battery power to the motor. Sleipner calls it “Solenoid replacement”. It fits the 12V size on this page.

Listed in the electric motor section of these models' pages.

Part number 41371122
See it at Sleipner No US price found

Main fuse (250 A)

The main fuse at the battery, in the rating the maker gives. Sleipner calls it “Recommended fuse A”. It fits the 24V size on this page.

The rating Sleipner prints on the own page of each model listed here; read on each page.

Part number SMANL250 Sleipner ANL250

Main fuse (400 A)

The main fuse at the battery, in the rating the maker gives. Sleipner calls it “Recommended fuse A”. It fits the 12V size on this page.

The rating Sleipner prints on the own page of each model listed here; read on each page.

Part number SMANL400 Sleipner ANL400

Replacement motor

The electric motor that turns the propeller. Sleipner calls it “Electric motor 12V”. It fits the 12V size on this page.

Part number 6011012
See it at Sleipner No US price found

Replacement motor

The electric motor that turns the propeller. Sleipner calls it “Electric motor 24V”. It fits the 24V size on this page.

Part number 6011024
See it at Sleipner No US price found

The install parts are matched to Sleipner’s own figures and priced at Fisheries Supply, with the battery cable at Defender, cut to length.

Spare part numbers come from Sleipner’s parts pages and manuals. A dealer may sell a part we have not priced. Search for the number.

Other sizes and close alternatives

Compare them side by side

The other makers listed are the nearest match each makes, of the same style and for the same end, within a quarter of its thrust. The compare page lists every model, and the thruster index lists every model with a page here.

For the yard and the installer

Every published figure, with its source.

Full spec sheet thrust, motor, mounting, price, part number, documents
Full spec sheet
Thrust and motor
Thrust 212 lb (96 kgf) As printed: at 12V: 96kg; at 10.5V (nominal): 80kg
Thrust under load176 lb at 21 V
Motor4.4 kW
Voltage12 V or 24 V
Run limitNot published
Installation
TypeRetractable, drops down
End of the boatBow or stern
Tunnel diameter185 mm
What it does to the hullLarge hull opening below the waterline
Haul-out to install itYes
Maker’s boat length33 to 49 ft
Price and ordering
Price $11,000 equipment only, a dealer's price, imtra.com, 26 October 2026
Part number SRV80/185T-24V24 V, 24 V DC (nominal 21 V DC)
SRV80/185T-12V12 V, 12 V DC (nominal 10.5 V DC)
Documents
Manual Installation manualon the maker's product page
The site’s reviewSleipner (Side-Power) review

Every published figure the site holds for the Sleipner SRV80, with where each came from.

Draw, cable, fuse and battery at each voltage 12 V and 24 V

These are the maker’s own figures, at each voltage it is sold at. The cable is the size for the shortest run in the maker’s table. A longer run may need heavier cable, and the wiring calculator works that out for your own boat.

Draw, cable, fuse and battery
Voltage Draw Maker’s cable Fuse Battery Run limit
12 V 530 Anominal draw 2/0 AWG for up to 22 ft of cable counted out and back. Longer runs take heavier cableinstallation guide ANL 400installation guide 550 CCA DIN minimumSleipner installation guide, SRL and SRV 80 and 100, document 2881 rev 20 (2026) Not published
24 V 280 Anominal draw 2 AWG for up to 22 ft of cable counted out and back. Longer runs take heavier cableinstallation guide ANL 250installation guide 300 CCA DIN minimumSleipner installation guide, SRL and SRV 80 and 100, document 2881 rev 20 (2026) Not published

The Sleipner SRV80’s draw, cable, fuse, battery and run limit, as the maker publishes them.

Our notes from the manual and listings

In the box: Gasket, bolts and anode with the unit. The panel, its cable, the fuse and main switch are bought.

12 V

This retractable lives in a housing let into the hull through a large opening, and drops when used. It is a bigger yard job than a tunnel. It also has a mechanism to keep in order. The 12 V build of the SRV80, with its motor standing vertical. On/off.

24 V

It is the 24 V twin of the SR80, on/off, for boats of 33 to 49 ft. It is rated 96 kg at 24 V and 80 at 21. The page rates the brushed motor for two to three minutes' running at 20 C. The control panel switches itself off after about six minutes unused. There is no dealer price, and the maker publishes none.

Where each point above comes from
  • Sleipner sells it for either end, so it can go at the bow or the stern.The maker's listing
  • It is sold at 12 V and at 24 V.The maker's and dealers' listings
  • Sleipner also prints a second, lower thrust figure for when the battery sags under load: 176 lb at 21 V.The maker's published rating
  • The boat comes out of the water to install it: it needs a large hull opening below the waterline.The mounting: a bore through the hull, or a housing recessed into it

Not sure this is the one? The thruster finder asks about your boat and prices every unit that fits.

Where to go next

The specs are the maker’s and the dealers’, on the dates shown. The sizing and the costs are our arithmetic, done without seeing your boat.