Stern Thrusters
Combining a stern thruster with your bow thruster gives even greater manoeuvrability in locks and harbours — docking, sailing away and finding a spot in the marina becomes child's play, with wind and current effectively countered. VETUS stern kits mount the tunnel and propeller externally on the transom, so no internal hull space is sacrificed.
What a stern thruster adds
Walk the boat sideways
Bow and stern thrusters together move the whole boat laterally onto a berth — the manoeuvre that makes onlookers assume you've hired a professional skipper.
Rotate on the spot
Opposing bow and stern thrust spins the boat within her own length — invaluable in narrow fairways, packed marinas and locks.
Installation is simple: the electric motor and other components fit internally against the transom, while the stern tunnel and propeller mount externally. Kits are available for tunnel diameters from 110 to 300 mm, pairing with the same VETUS DC, BOW PRO and RIMDRIVE thruster units used at the bow — so a double proportional panel (DBPPJA) or EZDOCK2 can drive both ends from one control.
Sizing rule of thumb: because the stern sits closer to the pivot point when the bow thruster is working, the stern thruster can generally be one model size smaller than the calculated bow thruster. Our size calculator suggests the matching stern model automatically.
Stern kits & extension kits
Transom stern kits (STERN..P)
GRP stern tunnels for transom mounting, in 110, 125, 150, 185, 250 and 300 mm diameters — plus a dedicated 250 mm RIMDRIVE version. Each kit matches specific thruster models, from the BOW25 right up to the BOWB320 and hydraulic units.
- Motor and electrics fitted inside the transom
- Tunnel and propeller mounted externally
- No internal accommodation space lost
Deflector extension kits (SDKIT)
If the stern tunnel openings sit too close to the waterline, the thruster sucks air and loses considerable thrust. SDKIT deflector shells ensure both openings stay adequately submerged and direct water flow away from outdrives, trim tabs and swim-platform brackets.
- Two fibreglass shells with stainless (AISI 316) fastenings
- For stern tunnels of Ø125, 150, 185, 250 or 300 mm
- Easily retrofitted to existing installations
Add full sideways control
Already have a bow thruster, or planning both at once? Tell us your boat and current setup — we'll match the stern kit, thruster and double panel.
Luxfords Marine is the authorised Victorian Vetus distributor — we confirm thrust sizing, specify the battery bank and cabling, and supply everything from the tunnel to the control panel.
(03) 5973 6444