Boat Tunnel & Retracting Thrusters Services & Maintenance
Boat Tunnel & Retracting Thrusters Services & Maintenance
Thrusters play a vital role in improving maneuverability and control, especially in crowded marinas, tight harbors, or adverse wind and current conditions. Choosing the correct system depends on the yacht’s design, draft, and performance requirements. We provide professional installation, servicing, and optimization for both tunnel and retracting thrusters, ensuring smooth handling and maximum reliability.
Tunnel Thrusters: Fixed into a GRP or steel tunnel passing through the bow or stern, these thrusters offer instant availability whenever extra control is required. Tunnel thrusters are particularly effective for yachts that require frequent low-speed maneuvering. They feature direct-drive or hydraulic-driven propellers made from high-strength composites or 316L stainless steel, engineered for continuous duty in harsh marine environments. With proper GRP fairing and antifouling, hydrodynamic resistance is minimal, making them a dependable choice for displacement and semi-displacement hulls.
Retracting Thrusters: Retractable systems are stored flush within the hull and deploy only when needed, reducing hydrodynamic drag and fuel consumption when under way. This makes them the preferred option for performance sailing yachts and high-speed motor yachts where hull efficiency is critical. When retracted, the thruster unit is fully protected against marine growth, debris impact, and cavitation damage, extending its operational life. Advanced electric or hydraulic drive systems allow for powerful thrust in a compact, retractable design.
Our Comprehensive Thruster Services Include:
Routine Maintenance: Inspection and servicing of propellers, tunnels, retracting mechanisms, seals, and gear legs. We also apply antifouling coatings within tunnels and housings to minimize marine growth and performance loss.
Repairs: From seal replacements and gear leg overhauls to rewiring electrical controls or hydraulic pump servicing, our technicians carry out complete repair services using OEM parts to restore full system performance.
Performance Optimization: We fine-tune thruster installations by rebalancing propellers, verifying tunnel fairing geometry, and calibrating hydraulic/electric controls to maximize thrust output and reduce noise and vibration.
Installation & Upgrades: Our team provides professional installation for new builds or retrofits, including tunnel cutting and lamination, hydraulic circuit integration, and electronic control setup. For existing systems, we offer upgrades to more efficient, quieter thruster models or integration into yacht-wide joystick control systems.
Why Choose Us for Tunnel & Retracting Thruster Services?
Specialized Technicians: Our team is certified and experienced in both electric and hydraulic thruster systems, ensuring expert service for all major brands.
State-of-the-Art Tools: We use laser alignment, hydraulic pressure testing, and electrical load analysis to guarantee precision installation and service quality.
Custom Solutions: Each yacht is unique. We adapt thruster selection, tunnel placement, and retracting unit configuration to match hull form, draft, and owner requirements.
Reliable Service: With proactive maintenance schedules, rapid repair response, and OEM-grade spare parts, we ensure your thrusters deliver dependable performance whenever you need them.
