Quick

Quick S.p.A. is a Ravenna company that a lot of American boaters already own a piece of without realizing it. The windlass on the bow, the underwater lights, maybe a gyro stabilizer on a bigger boat. Thrusters are a smaller part of Quick's US presence, but the range is complete, from a 25 kgf unit for an 18 ft boat to AC thrusters for yachts.

The company traces back to 1982, when founders Michele Marzucco and Alfonso Peduto started PM Marina. It acquired the Quick brand in 1992 and took the name. Quick says it now has over 450 employees, and its Ravenna headquarters houses management, production and R&D. The group also includes Sigmar Marine (water heaters), CATT (machining) and, since 2023, Sanguineti, Xenta and Nemo.

The thruster lines

BTQ: DC tunnel thrusters

The mainstream line. On/off DC thrusters in 110, 125, 140, 185, 250 and 300 mm, rated from 25 to 300 kgf. The 185 mm tunnel has both single-prop BTQ 185 and twin-prop BTQ 185 DP families, which gives six steps of thrust in one hole size. A separate aluminium anode, independent of the gearbox, is a nice service detail. Full rundown in our Quick BTQ review.

QSY: longer duty

Quick's QSY (Quick Synchronous Motors) thrusters are rated for 10 minutes of continuous operation in standard conditions and work with Quick's QNC controls. The BT QSY tunnel range runs from 140 to 300 mm, and there's a retractable BTR QSY version.

Retractables

Three families: DC BTR, extended-duty BTR QSY, and hydraulic BTRH. All share Quick's counter-flange design, where the flange is kept separate from the supporting structure. Covered in our Quick BTR retractable review.

Hydraulic and AC

For bigger boats, the BTH hydraulic range runs from the BTH 185 to the BTH 513, and the BTAC AC range from the BTAC 250 to the BTAC 610. Quick also lists DC-AC thrusters and dedicated controls for proportional systems, including an inverter.

Strengths

• Range depth. DC, extended-duty, hydraulic and AC, tunnel and retractable, from one supplier.
• Clear naming. Tunnel diameter and thrust in the model name.
• Service details. Replaceable anodes separate from the gearbox and IP66 protection-case versions on several BTQ models.
• A US subsidiary. Quick USA has operated since 2006 and is now based in Fort Lauderdale.
• System fit. On a boat already running Quick windlasses and controls, one supplier for everything forward is convenient.

Weak spots

• Thruster dealer coverage in the US is narrower than for brands that specialize in thrusters, and is strongest in Florida.
• Product information is split across many model pages; you need the specific model sheet for voltage and thrust.
• Proportional control isn't built into the basic BTQ; it depends on which control package you pair it with.

One more point in Quick's favor for owners who plan to keep the boat a long time: model names, tunnel sizes and thrust ratings line up across the BTQ, BTR and QSY families, so a 185 mm tunnel or retractable from Quick can usually be matched within the brand later.

Installer view

Quick thrusters install like any good European unit: tunnel as far forward and as deep as the hull allows, cable sized for the full round trip, and battery close to the bow. For the bigger 250 and 300 mm units, which are 24V or 48V, Quick sells a parallel-serial switch so a 24V or 48V motor can run on a 12V or 24V boat with an added battery group. See our bow thruster installation and retractable installation pages.

Who should consider Quick

Boats with Quick gear already aboard, owners in Florida with easy access to Quick USA, and anyone who wants fine control over thrust steps in a 185 mm tunnel. Compare it with Max Power, the other Italian option, and with Vetus and Lewmar. Then send us your boat details and we'll quote the install.

Questions people ask