--- title: Why do you need a bow thruster on a small boat? description: Smaller boats are much more wind sensitive and docking in tight space marinas requires precise maneuvering. Learn how a thruster can solve this problem image: https://blog.sleipnergroup.com/hubfs/shutterstock_688547758-247985-edited.jpg --- [![Side Power by Sleipner](https://blog.sleipnergroup.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Logos/Side_Power_by_Sleipner_R_300px.png?width=214&name=Side_Power_by_Sleipner_R_300px.png "Side Power by Sleipner")](https://blog.side-power.com/en?hsLang=en) ![](https://blog.sleipnergroup.com/hubfs/Template%20Files/Flags/EN-01.png) [![](https://blog.sleipnergroup.com/hubfs/Template%20Files/Flags/NO-01.png)](https://blog.side-power.com/no?hsLang=en) [![](https://blog.sleipnergroup.com/hubfs/Template%20Files/Flags/SE-01.png)](https://blog.side-power.com/se?hsLang=en) [![](https://blog.sleipnergroup.com/hubfs/Template%20Files/Flags/DE-01.png)](https://blog.side-power.com/de?hsLang=en) [![](https://blog.sleipnergroup.com/hubfs/Template%20Files/Flags/IT-01.jpg)](https://blog.side-power.com/it?hsLang=en) ![Pier talk_EN_72dpi](https://blog.sleipnergroup.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Template%20Files/New%20blog%20header/Pier%20talk_EN_72dpi.png?width=600&name=Pier%20talk_EN_72dpi.png) - [Latest posts](https://blog.sleipnergroup.com/en) - [Marine Stabilizers](https://blog.sleipnergroup.com/en/category/marine-stabilizers) - [Marine Thrusters](https://blog.sleipnergroup.com/en/category/marine-thrusters) - [Marine Hydraulics](https://blog.sleipnergroup.com/en/category/hydraulic-thrusters) # [Why do you need a bow thruster on a small boat?](https://blog.sleipnergroup.com/en/why-do-you-need-a-bow-thruster-on-a-small-boat) By [Runar Scott Jensen](https://blog.sleipnergroup.com/en/author/runar-scott-jensen) 2. May 2019 - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) ![bow thruster in a small boat](https://blog.sleipnergroup.com/hs-fs/hubfs/shutterstock_688547758-247985-edited.jpg?width=1200&name=shutterstock_688547758-247985-edited.jpg) #### Small, shallow draft boats with narrow-angle, v-hull designs with light to moderate displacements are highly responsive, rewarding and great fun to drive at significantly higher than average cruising speed. So do you really need a bow thruster? ## A bow thruster will come in handy Well, at the end of the day you throttle back inside a tightly fitting marina. With a spring-tide flowing and a blustery day to contend with, these erstwhile pleasant handling characteristics can, on occasion, rapidly change your impression and your previously held enjoyment of owning a small-sized boat. ## Thrusters on small boats makes sense If you factor in other design characteristics of some small, upright cabin cruiser designed boats, such as having a high topside to wetted surface area ratio, and little more than the merest hint of wind will turn your boat in to a cork, or a plastic cup, bobbing about on the sea with little or no resistance against the elements. Read more: [Pros and cons of different marine thrusters →](https://blog.sleipnergroup.com/en/pros-and-cons-for-different-types-of-marine-thrusters?hsLang=en) Other circumstances, such as not having much deck or cockpit space for your crew to move around in, or mooring up within a marina that has small finger length pontoons, making it very difficult for crew to step off and tie up mooring lines, are further reasons why fitting a bow thruster to a small size boat, would appear to make just as much sense as it does fitting one to a larger length boat. [![Download free guide: Installation guide for stabilizers](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/4156488/289d5615-0ff9-4f56-ac38-3d11448699d0.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/4156488/289d5615-0ff9-4f56-ac38-3d11448699d0) ## A bow thruster will pay you back Mounted low down and as far forward in the hull as the boat’s design will allow, an efficient tunnel bow thruster will pay you back in more ways than one. Read more: [How much power do I need from my bow and stern thruster installations? →](https://blog.sleipnergroup.com/en/how-much-power-do-i-need-from-my-bow-and-stern-thruster-installations?hsLang=en) Not only will this little tool boost your own confidence when the weather gods conspire against you, but the overall satisfaction of knowing that almost anyone amongst the crew, with or without much previous boating experience, will be able to moor and park up the boat confidently, without cause for fear or drama, is a nice feeling to have. Last, but not least, ask any yacht broker and he or she will tell you the re-sale/residual value of a used boat is always higher for one fitted with a thruster when compared to the same boat model fitted without. Equally, that broker will tell you there will always be more people lined up to test-ride a boat equipped with one, than one without. Read more: [How to choose the best thruster brand for your boat →](https://blog.sleipnergroup.com/en/how-to-choose-the-best-thruster-brand-for-your-boat?hsLang=en) Topics: [Thruster - Leisure](https://blog.sleipnergroup.com/en/topic/thruster-leisure?hsLang=en), [small boats](https://blog.sleipnergroup.com/en/topic/small-boats?hsLang=en), [hull design](https://blog.sleipnergroup.com/en/topic/hull-design?hsLang=en), [Marine Thrusters](https://blog.sleipnergroup.com/en/topic/marine-thrusters?hsLang=en), [Boat Owners](https://blog.sleipnergroup.com/en/topic/boat-owners?hsLang=en) ![Runar Scott Jensen's photo](https://blog.sleipnergroup.com/hubfs/People/Runar_S_Jensen_02_2016.jpg) By: [Runar Scott Jensen](https://blog.sleipnergroup.com/en/author/runar-scott-jensen) Runar Scott Jensen has been in the marine business for more than 22 years and has a broad experience with technical equipment. Runar holds the position of Norwegian Sales Director at Sleipner Motor. Like many other employees at Sleipner, Runar is often at sea himself, learning firsthand the importance of reliability while boating. Welcome to Pier Talk – a place for boaters, by boaters.   Here we share our expert knowledge and guidance on boat equipment, tips for maintenance, as well as practical experiences about life at sea.   Stay up to date by signing up for the topics you find interesting ☺️   Side-Power is a world-leading manufacturer of thrusters and stabilizer systems for recreational boats, yachts, and commercial vessels up to 160 feet/ 50 meters.   Explore [side-power.com](https://side-power.com) ### Recent posts ### Posts by topic - [Boat Owners (11)](https://blog.sleipnergroup.com/en/tag/boat-owners) - [Marine Thrusters (9)](https://blog.sleipnergroup.com/en/tag/marine-thrusters) - [Marine Stabilizers (8)](https://blog.sleipnergroup.com/en/tag/marine-stabilizers) - [Industry Professionals (6)](https://blog.sleipnergroup.com/en/tag/industry-professionals) - [Thruster - Leisure (5)](https://blog.sleipnergroup.com/en/tag/thruster-leisure) - [Vector fins™ (5)](https://blog.sleipnergroup.com/en/tag/vector-fins) - [Marine Hydraulics (4)](https://blog.sleipnergroup.com/en/tag/marine-hydraulics) - [thrusters (4)](https://blog.sleipnergroup.com/en/tag/thrusters) - [bow thruster (3)](https://blog.sleipnergroup.com/en/tag/bow-thruster) - [stabilizers (3)](https://blog.sleipnergroup.com/en/tag/stabilizers) - [anti roll (2)](https://blog.sleipnergroup.com/en/tag/anti-roll) - [hull design (2)](https://blog.sleipnergroup.com/en/tag/hull-design) - [stern thruster (2)](https://blog.sleipnergroup.com/en/tag/stern-thruster) - [DC Speed Control (1)](https://blog.sleipnergroup.com/en/tag/dc-speed-control) - [Safety (1)](https://blog.sleipnergroup.com/en/tag/safety) - [Seasickness (1)](https://blog.sleipnergroup.com/en/tag/seasickness) - [Side Power (1)](https://blog.sleipnergroup.com/en/tag/side-power) - [Thruster - Work boats (1)](https://blog.sleipnergroup.com/en/tag/thruster-work-boats) - [Yachting (1)](https://blog.sleipnergroup.com/en/tag/yachting) - [customer service (1)](https://blog.sleipnergroup.com/en/tag/customer-service) - [fin stabilizer (1)](https://blog.sleipnergroup.com/en/tag/fin-stabilizer) - [gyro stabilizer (1)](https://blog.sleipnergroup.com/en/tag/gyro-stabilizer) - [proportional control (1)](https://blog.sleipnergroup.com/en/tag/proportional-control) - [reduce noise (1)](https://blog.sleipnergroup.com/en/tag/reduce-noise) - [small boats (1)](https://blog.sleipnergroup.com/en/tag/small-boats) - [thruster power (1)](https://blog.sleipnergroup.com/en/tag/thruster-power) - [waves (1)](https://blog.sleipnergroup.com/en/tag/waves) See all topics ### Search Search **Want to know more?**  Visit our stabilizer guide:  Go to our guide here **Explore our stabilizer products** Find the right solution for your vessel.  [See all products here](https://www.sleipnergroup.com/stabilizers/vector-fins?IS_LEISURE=1) Find a distributor Talk to one of our dealers. [Explore the dealer map](https://www.sleipnergroup.com/support/map) [![Sleipner®Logo 3 Negative RGB](https://blog.sleipnergroup.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Sleipner%20Brand%20Hub%202023%20(logo,%20icons)/Sleipner%C2%AELogo%203%20Negative%20RGB.png?width=100&name=Sleipner%C2%AELogo%203%20Negative%20RGB.png "Sleipner®Logo 3 Negative RGB")](https://www.sleipnergroup.com/) Sleipner Motor AS Arne Svendsensgate 6-8 1610 Fredrikstad Norway **Phone:** +47 69 30 00 60 **Fax:** +47 69 30 00 70 Org.no: 932 455 463 [![linkedin_white](https://blog.sleipnergroup.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Icons/linkedin_white.png?width=29&height=29&name=linkedin_white.png)](https://www.linkedin.com/company/18498640/admin/)       [![facebook_white](https://blog.sleipnergroup.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Icons/facebook_white.png?width=30&height=30&name=facebook_white.png)](https://www.facebook.com/sleipnergroup)       [![youtube](https://blog.sleipnergroup.com/hubfs/youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/c/SidepowerTV/featured)       [![instagram](https://blog.sleipnergroup.com/hubfs/instagram.svg)](https://www.instagram.com/sleipner_official/)