Bow Thruster Cost in Australia: 2026 Price Guide
Short answer: as a guide, a bow thruster kit costs about $2,000–$5,000 for boats under 30 ft, $5,000–$10,000 for 30–50 ft boats and $10,000–$20,000+ for boats over 50 ft, plus installation. Every boat is different, so these are indicative ranges only.
Bow thruster prices by boat size
| Boat size | Thruster kit (indicative) | Installation (indicative) |
|---|---|---|
| Under 30 ft | $2,000–$5,000 | $1,500–$3,000 |
| 30–50 ft | $5,000–$10,000 | $3,000–$6,000 |
| Over 50 ft | $10,000–$20,000+ | $6,000–$15,000 |
Extras that can add to the cost
- Extra batteries and heavy cabling: about $500–$2,000
- Wireless remote: about $300–$1,000
- Joystick control: about $500–$1,500
- Tunnel or external pod work where structure changes are needed: about $1,000–$5,000
What affects the price?
- Boat length, weight and windage: bigger, heavier, taller boats need more thrust.
- Electric or hydraulic: electric (12/24 V) suits most boats; hydraulic suits larger vessels and continuous use, with more installation work.
- Tunnel, external or retractable: a new tunnel is fitted with the boat out of the water; external and retractable units suit boats where a tunnel won’t fit.
- Bow, stern or both: adding a stern thruster gives full sideways control.
Brands we supply and fit
We supply and fit bow and stern thrusters from Side-Power, Vetus, Quick and Max Power, sized to your boat. Thrusters also work with Yacht Controller wireless docking.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a bow thruster cost in Australia?
As a guide, a bow thruster kit costs about $2,000–$5,000 for boats under 30 ft, $5,000–$10,000 for 30–50 ft boats and $10,000–$20,000+ over 50 ft. Installation is extra.
How much does bow thruster installation cost?
As a guide, installation is about $1,500–$3,000 on boats under 30 ft, $3,000–$6,000 on 30–50 ft boats and $6,000–$15,000 on larger boats, depending on the hull, the tunnel and the power supply.
Is a stern thruster worth adding?
If you already have a bow thruster, a stern thruster gives full sideways control. It suits shaft-drive boats, windy berths and short-handed crews.
Can a thruster be fitted without cutting a tunnel?
Yes. External and retractable thrusters are options where a tunnel is not practical.
Get a price for your boat
Tell us your boat’s make, model and length and whether it has a thruster already. See our bow and stern thrusters page, call 1300 079 531 or send us an enquiry. We supply Australia and New Zealand wide.