Sidepower vs. Vetus Thrusters - Seathrust, Inc.

[Tawney1]

Does anyone have any knowledge about or experience with this company in Cocoa, Florida (SeaThrust and Sealift, Inc.). What is the quality of their work. They install Sidepower bow and stern thrusters, etc. Their sales guy is Alan Killick.

Also, what say you guys as to which is better: a vetus thruster or sidepower? The sidepower has twin counter-rotating blades and I like the specs on these. Vetus has one.
Both 24 volt systems. I am talking to Tom Gilliken at Florida Bow Thrusters on the Vetus option.

Any observations, comments, suggestions, etc., about either or both of these companies or the SidePower vs. Vetus option will be appreciated.

Thanks,
Paul

 

[Airpilot]

I have talked to both companies and I have received a proposal from Sea Thrust which included a contract. While reading the contract very carefully I noted one line that said that there liability was limited to the quoted price of the contract or the price of the boat...whichever was less! I called them back up and said that I would never sign such a contract as it provided no protection for me.Sea thrust called me back later and stated that there lawyers had " made a mistake" and that they had modified the contract to read whichever is greater.Iam not buying it. As it turns out the Vetus system appears to be better due to the ability to un-clog the unit if debris gets into the system and Vetus also quoted a much larger thruster for my boat.Vetus also indicated that they are installing thrusters at the Hatteras factory. They know our boats and thats very important....good luck!

 

[Capt.Erich]

I had the guys from Florida Bow Thruster install a Vetus on a 70 MY a few years ago. They did an excellent job, were done in 2 days, and the thruster has worked like a charm. I highly reccomend them.

If you read the Vetus web page, they make a pretty good agrument for the single screw thruster. I've got some photo's of the job. I'll try to post them soon.

 

[Diver Down]

I too had a Vetus installed by Florida Bow Thrusters (just 2 weeks ago) and really can't give Tom Gillikin and his crew enough kudos. Also, Gillikin's price was considerably less than SeaThrust and East Coast Bow Thrusters.

Southern Comfort
1977 58 YF

 

[neosin]

don't know the company but had a sidepower bow thruster installed and it's saved me many headaches; just makes like easier. I've had it about 8 months now and no problems. Had it installed at Seabrook shipyard in clearlake, tx off of galveston bay.

I really like the wireless options on the sidepower, don't know much about the other you are looking at but the sidepower has a neat wireless remote that allows you to use the BT without being at the helm. Very useful for that one man launch/dock. You know that one man launch and dock with the wife is.... reading? LOL! Ok so it made my wife's life easier.

Hope it helps!