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Bow and stern thrusters have become an important device when moving at low speed.

It makes manoeuvring easier, safer and quicker.

 

Craftsman Marine thruster benefits

The propeller

The propeller, which is made of maintenance-free synthetic material, can run in two directions, thus producing a jet flow to port or starboard. Each propeller is designed to achieve maximum thrust in a small tunnel diameter. This makes maneuvering in tight spots against a strong current or a shifty wind much easier.

The propeller of each of the thruster models between 35 and 170kgf is specifically shaped in relation to its maximum revolutions, which provides the highest thrust efficiency.

 

The motor

Craftsman Marine specifies the average force of the thrusters, however the starting peak force (1 second) can be easily 60% higher.

 

Noise

The noise production of Craftsman Marine thrusters is reduced to the bare minimum due to the specific design of the propellers and the optimized streamline of the tail piece.

 

Installation

All of the thrusters we supply here at Stella are tunnel thrusters. 

Installation of a Craftsman Marine bow thruster is totally uncomplicated and requires a minimum of labour. 

A control panel, either equipped with a joystick or with push buttons, is available separately. Their shape and finish make these panels a perfect match with their engine instrument panels, allowing for a highly sophisticated combination.

 

Stella Backup Guarantee

Stella is proud to be the exclusive Australian importer and distributor of Craftsman Marine Thrusters. Designed and manufactured by Craftsman Automation, their Bow and Stern thruster product is second to none in quality and performance.

We don’t just sell the equipment; we also back it up. Supporting our product is David Tanner who few would argue is perhaps the most experienced marine professional in the field. You can have confidence that with his vast years of experience that your installation will be the right one for your vessel.

Stella’s service and spare parts back-up is unrivalled, and in combination with the 2-year warranty from date of commissioning we know that your experience with our product will be trouble free.

If you have any questions, any problem or request, we are here to assist.

 

Stern Thruster

If you require almost absolute control of your boat under all imaginable circumstances, then a stern thruster is, in addition to a bow thruster, the ideal supporting navigational aid.

 

Benefits of a stern thruster

The combination of a bow and a stern thruster offers entirely new perspectives when manoeuvring in tricky situations or in tight turns. By having the stern thruster rotating in the opposite direction of the bow thruster, you can make the boat turn on its axis. And when both propellers are operating in the same direction, you are manoeuvring the boat perpendicularly on its normal direction line, to either port or starboard.

 

Installation of a stern thruster

The maintenance-free stern thruster is fitted to the transom of the boat. The electric motor and the other electrical components are positioned inside the boat, whereas the tunnel is located outside underneath the waterline. Craftsman Marine’s stern thrusters come in four sizes and capacities, with tunnel dimensions of 110, 150, 185 or 250 mm.

 

Additional Parts

Control Panels

Bow and stern thrusters liberate the skipper from his heavy handiwork. The control panels of the Craftsman Marine bow and stern thrusters also contribute to optimum ease of operation. Both push button and joystick control are available.

In the case of only a bow thruster, a single panel is used. Dual panels serve the purpose of both a bow and a stern thruster.

The top sides of the panels are made watertight in accordance with the protection classification IP66. Craftsman Marine thruster control panels are milled from an aluminium sheet and anodised to ensure perfect protection against all (marine) weather conditions. They also include protection for motor direction, temperature and continuous use.

 

Cables

Connection cables in 7,10, 15 and 20m lengths.

To connect the bow and/or stern thrusters to the appropriate control panel, a cable loom is required, which can be ordered to size, in lengths from 7 to 20m.

Craftsman marine cables come with watertight, multi-plugs. Cables of different lengths can be interconnected. With the aid of a splitter cable, two control panels can be connected to only one bow or stern thruster. 

 

Tunnels

GRP and steel to suit each thruster in 1 and 3m lengths.

Craftsman Marine can supply the required tunnels in various lengths and diameters, in steel, aluminium or GRP (fibreglass reinforced polyester) to suit each thruster in their product range.

 

Downloadables:

Craftsman Bow Thruster Range