Vetus BOW PRO and BOW PRO Boosted

The BOW PRO is where Vetus has put the interesting engineering in its thruster range. Instead of a brushed DC motor with a thermal switch, it uses a brushless induction motor driven by Vetus's own MCV motor controller. That gives you proportional control, longer run times and no brushes to wear out. The Boosted version adds a feature Vetus describes as exclusive: a battery charger built into the thruster.

Two ranges

BOW PRO (BOWA)

The standard BOW PRO covers small and mid-size boats. Vetus lists 30, 36, 40, 42, 57, 65 and 76 kgf models in tunnels from 110 mm to 185 mm. Most are 12V. There are also 48V versions of the 30, 36, 57 and 76 kgf, which Vetus aims at boats with 48V electric propulsion.

Vetus's boat-size guidance runs from up to 24 feet for the 30 kgf to 30-45 feet for the 76 kgf.

BOW PRO Boosted (BOWB)

The Boosted range goes much bigger, from 57 kgf to 420 kgf. Models up to 150 kgf are 12/24V; from 180 kgf they are 24/48V. Tunnels run from 150 mm to 400 mm.

A BOWB285 (285 kgf, 300 mm) is also listed in the Vetus webshop.

What Boosted actually does

Higher voltage means lower current, thinner cable and less voltage drop. The problem on a 12V boat has always been charging a separate 24V thruster bank. Boosted models solve that inside the thruster: Vetus says the built-in DC-DC charger lets a 24V thruster bank be charged from a 12V supply (or 48V from 24V on the bigger models), using a three-stage process. It only charges when the source voltage is high enough, so it will not flatten the engine start battery.

In practice that means a 12V boat can run a 24V thruster without a separate 24V charger. You still need the 24V bank, and you still need to run a charging feed to it, but the electrical design gets simpler.

Control and run time

All BOW PRO models are fully proportional and use V-CAN, Vetus's CAN-bus protocol, to talk to Vetus control panels. Lock and hold controls let you set a thrust level and leave it there with one button, which is handy in narrow fairways and alongside docks. Built-in protection covers overheating and low battery voltage.

Vetus lists 10 minutes of continuous operating time for most BOW PRO and Boosted models, and 6 minutes for a few. That is a big step from the 2-5 minutes of the standard BOW range. Vetus's family page describes the run times as unlimited; we would plan around the per-model figure.

Vetus also publishes an installation manual for integrating these thrusters with Yamaha systems, plus CAN-bus integration diagrams, which matters if you want them working with an outboard joystick setup.

Install notes

• Retrofits. Vetus says BOW PRO fits the tunnel sizes of its own thrusters and many other brands. That can make an upgrade from an old on/off unit much cheaper than starting fresh. Measure the tunnel and confirm.
• Weight. The brushless motor and controller add weight. The BOWA0571 (57 kgf) is listed at 35 kg; a standard BOW5512D (55 kgf) is 17 kg.
• Cabling. Vetus offers a High Power Connection Kit (BOWHPCK) for BOW PRO. Plan cable size against the actual run length.
• Battery. Ten minutes of thrust needs a battery that can deliver it. Lithium is a popular match; see our lithium thruster battery page.

Standard or Boosted?

At 57, 65 and 76 kgf, both versions exist, so the choice is about the electrical system. If the boat is 12V and the thruster bank will be 12V, the standard BOW PRO is simpler. If you are willing to add a 24V bank for lower current and thinner cable, Boosted handles the charging for you. Above 76 kgf there is no standard version, so Boosted it is. Either way, size the bank for the longer run times these thrusters allow; a short-duty battery choice wastes the main advantage.

The weak spots

The extra weight is real, and it sits right in the bow. Boosted systems add a second battery bank, which takes space and money. V-CAN ties you to Vetus panels, though that is no different in principle from other brands' CAN systems. And when something does go wrong, diagnosis needs a technician with Vetus software and experience, not just a multimeter. Our repair service handles BOW PRO.

Against the competition

Sleipner's answer is the SEP PRO and eVision. eVision starts at 24V and 100 kg and Sleipner rates it for continuous running at full thrust; Vetus offers 12V proportional options at the small end and the built-in charger on Boosted. Max Power VIP is another proportional option. See Sleipner vs Vetus for the full comparison.

Verdict

BOW PRO is Vetus's strongest thruster line. The small 12V models give proportional control to boats in the 20-45 foot range, and Boosted solves the old problem of charging a higher-voltage thruster bank on a 12V boat. Accept the weight and plan the battery properly, and it is a very capable system. Tell us about your boat and we will work out whether standard or Boosted makes more sense.

Questions people ask