Thruster controls are brand-matched: Sleipner panels run Sleipner thrusters, Vetus panels run Vetus, and so on. On/off thrusters use simple joysticks or touch panels; proportional thrusters need the maker's CAN-bus panels, such as Sleipner's S-Link PJC series or Vetus's BPPJA. Sleipner has the deepest wireless remote range. Choose the control after the thruster, not before.
What we like
- Most panels mount from the front in a standard round cut-out
- Two-button or double-press activation prevents accidental starts
- Proportional panels add hold function and status readouts
- Extra stations usually plug into the same control loom
Watch out for
- Controls are rarely cross-brand compatible
- Proportional thrusters need the maker's CAN-bus panel
- Wireless options vary a lot by brand
- Older panels may need an adapter plate or adapter box
The control panel is the only part of a thruster most owners ever touch, and it gets surprisingly little thought at purchase time. It should. The panel decides how the thruster feels, whether you get a hold function, what warnings you see, and whether you can run the boat from the bow with a remote on a lanyard.
The first rule is boring but saves money: controls are matched to the thruster brand. A Sleipner panel runs a Sleipner thruster. Proportional thrusters go further and need the maker's own CAN-bus panel. Pick the thruster, then the controls.
Sleipner
On/off panels. The 8960 G is Sleipner's square joystick panel for on/off electric thrusters, and Sleipner calls it its top seller. It runs on 12 or 24V, mounts from the front in a standard round instrument hole with a pre-fitted O-ring, and switches itself off after use. The 8955 G touch panel and 8965 boat-switch panel share that round format for tight dashboards, and the 8902 C is a dual-thruster joystick panel with an adapter plate for replacing the older 8902B. All of them use the two-button ON system: both ON buttons pressed together, or nothing happens.
S-Link panels. For proportional PRO thrusters, the PJC212 adds dual joysticks, an LCD showing thrust, run time, battery and temperature status, and a hold function that keeps a bow and stern pair pushing you against the dock with one button. The newer PJC421 and PJC422 families add color LCD touch screens in single-lever, dual-lever and joystick versions. The 8700 handles retractable thrusters.
Wireless. Sleipner has the widest remote range of the four brands. The RCR-2U receiver pairs with transmitters such as the RCT-20U for bow and stern or the RCT-21U for a thruster and a windlass, and the RCS-20U is an S-Link kit for running two PRO thrusters from one remote. Sleipner's troubleshooting advice for remotes is simple: check the transmitter battery, confirm the receiver has power, then re-pair.
Vetus
On/off panels. The BPJE2 joystick panel and BPSE2 push-button panel both include a time delay when reversing direction, carry an IP66 rating, and are interchangeable on Vetus electric bow and stern thrusters. The BPJDE2 runs a bow and stern pair. Vetus also lists compact BPJR and BPSR panels, an aluminum-faced BPAJ, and a BPA adapter plate for fitting new panels into old cut-outs.
BOW PRO panels. The proportional BOW PRO thrusters use V-CAN panels: BPPJA and BPPPA for a single thruster and DBPPJA for two. The EZDOCK2 is a knob-style docking control with time delay and an IP67 rating.
Hydraulic. Vetus hydraulic thrusters use the 5-position BPJ5, BPJSTH5 or BPJ5D panels with a 2-step valve, or the standard BPJE2/BPSE2 with a 1-step valve, per the hydraulic thruster manual.
Wireless. Vetus's WRC system (receiver plus handheld remotes, up to two thrusters, about 10 m typical range) now shows as discontinued on the Vetus webshop. Ask before planning a new install around it.
Lewmar
Lewmar's Gen2 controls cover single and dual thrusters: the 589268 single joystick, the 589267 dual joystick, and the 589223 single control pad. Retailer listings describe 12-24V supply, a multi-function LED that flags low voltage, motor temperature warnings and faults, and mounting that reuses earlier Lewmar cut-outs and screw positions. They work with Lewmar TT, RT, SRT and VRT thrusters fitted with the blue control box; black-box thrusters need Lewmar's controller adapter. For thruster details, see our Lewmar Gen 2 review.
Max Power
Max Power lists a 2-direction joystick for tunnel thrusters, 4-direction joysticks for its retractable units, touch panels in single and double versions, and an ECO proportional joystick for its ECO systems. The VIP and retract joystick (318206 black, 318224 grey) covers the Compact Retract and VIP lines. We could not confirm a current Max Power-branded wireless remote on the manufacturer's site, so treat any listing you find with a check call. More on the thrusters in our Max Power CT review.
What matters at install time
- Cut-out size. Round instrument holes are standard for Sleipner's small panels. Replacing a square or older panel may need an adapter plate.
- Cable runs. Panels connect with control looms, not power cable. Plan the route from each helm to the thruster before the headliner goes back up.
- Stations. Multiple panels are normal on flybridge boats. Only one should be used at a time.
- Proportional upgrades. Moving from on/off to proportional means replacing the thruster or its controller, not just the panel.
How to choose
- On/off thruster, one helm: the maker's basic joystick or touch panel.
- Two helms: a second panel of the same family on the same loom.
- Docking from the cockpit or bow: a wireless remote, where the brand offers one.
- Proportional thruster: the maker's CAN-bus panel, with hold function if you run bow and stern together.
Weak spots
The brand lock-in is real, and it affects resale and repairs: a discontinued panel on an older thruster can mean an adapter or a new control set. On/off panels give you full thrust or nothing, which is why owners who dock in tight marinas often end up wanting proportional control. And wireless remotes add another battery to forget.
Verdict
For an on/off thruster, the maker's basic joystick panel is all most boats need; add a second station or a remote only if you actually dock from somewhere else. If you want hold function and status readouts, budget for a proportional thruster and its CAN-bus panel, such as Sleipner's PJC212 or Vetus's BPPJA. Sleipner currently offers the most complete wireless setup. If you are deciding between panels and full engine joystick control, read our joystick docking comparison, then ask us what fits your helm.
Questions people ask
Can I use a Sleipner panel on a Vetus thruster?
Not as a plug-in swap. Each maker uses its own connectors, signals and safety logic, and proportional thrusters talk over their own CAN-bus protocol. Cross-brand setups need an interface and usually are not worth it.
Why does my Sleipner panel need two buttons to turn on?
Sleipner panels require both ON buttons pressed together so the thruster cannot be armed by a bump or a child. Panels also switch themselves off after a period without use.
Is a wireless thruster remote worth it?
On boats that are often docked short-handed or from the cockpit or bow, yes. Sleipner offers receivers and transmitters for bow, stern and windlass combinations. Vetus's WRC system is listed as discontinued on its webshop, so check current options before planning around it.
Can I add a second control station?
Usually. Sleipner, Vetus and Lewmar all support more than one panel on a system. Never operate two panels at once; Sleipner notes that opposite commands from two panels cancel each other out.
- Sleipner control panels
- Sleipner 8960 G joystick panel
- Sleipner S-Link dual joystick panel with hold (PJC212)
- Sleipner remote controls
- Sleipner RCS-20U S-Link remote kit
- Sleipner FAQ (panels and remotes)
- Vetus control panels
- Vetus WRC wireless remote system
- Lewmar 589268 Gen2 joystick (Hodges Marine)
- Lewmar 589267 dual joystick (Fisheries Supply)
- Max Power control panels and remote controls
Manufacturers update their lines. Confirm current model numbers with us or the maker before you buy.