Sleipner SX50 12 Volt External Stern Thruster
SKU:SX50
- Regular price
- £4,179.00 inc. VAT
- Sale price
- £4,179.00
- Regular price inc. VAT
-
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Sleipner SX50 12 Volt External Stern Thruster
Sleipner SX50 12 Volt External Stern Thruster are an ultra-compact, externally mounted manoeuvring system designed specifically for boats up to 37 feet (11 meters) in length. It is primarily used to provide sideways thrust at the stern, aiding in docking and tight-space manoeuvring
Sleipner SX50 12 Volt External Stern Thruster Key Features
- Ultra-Compact Design: Billed as the world's most compact external thruster, its small footprint allows for installation on vessels where internal configuration prevents a standard tunnel-style thruster.
- Easy Installation: Requires no fiberglass (GRP) work; instead, it only needs three small holes drilled through the transom for mounting and cable entry. It is suitable for hulls up to 150 mm thick.
- Submerged Motor: The external placement keeps the motor fully submerged during use, which provides highly efficient water cooling and allows for longer run times compared to internal units.
- Ignition Protected: Certified for safe use on gasoline-powered boats (ISO 8846 and UL 1500) due to its hermetically sealed housing.
- Quiet Operation: Utilizes a 5-bladed Q-Prop™ and vibration-absorbing sleeves on hull connections to significantly reduce noise and vibration.
| Thrust at 12V | 62 kg / 136 lbs |
| Thrust at 10.5V | 50 kg / 110 lbs |
| Power Output | 2.8 kW (3.75 hp) |
| Propeller Type | Single Q-Prop™ |
| Tunnel Diameter | 140 mm |
| Nominal Current | 370 A |
| Weight | 15.3 kg (33.7 lbs) |
- The most common setup for transom mounting.
- With Cowls: Redirects water flow past obstacles like stern drives or outboards, improving efficiency in shallow installations.
- With Protection Grids: Adds safety for water sports or protection in debris-heavy waters.
- Hydropod Mounting: An optional pod cover allows the unit to be mounted under the hull in the water flow, serving as a low-drag bow or stern thruster for low- to mid-speed vessels.
- What size boat is the SX50 suitable for? It is designed for boats between 8 and 11.5 meters (27 to 37 feet) in length.
- Is the installation complicated? The external unit is designed for easy mounting and typically requires no complex fiberglass work on the hull, only drilling a few small holes.
- How much thrust does it provide? The maximum thrust is 62 kg at 12V (50 kg at 10.5V nominal voltage), according to specs from sources like svb24.com.
- Can I run the thruster continuously? No, it has a maximum continuous run time of approximately 3 minutes before the built-in thermal cut-off switch will shut the motor off to prevent overheating.
- Is it ignition protected? Yes, the external stern thruster assembly and controller unit are ignition protected in accordance with ISO 8846 and ABYC c1500 standards, allowing installation in areas with potential explosive gases.
- Where should I position the thruster? It should be placed as deep as possible for the best performance and reduced noise. The recommended minimum tunnel depth from the water surface is 140mm (5.51") to the centre of the tunnel diameter.
- Do sterndrives or trim tabs interfere with the thruster's performance? Yes, they can reduce effectiveness considerably. Sleipner recommends using their cowls to enhance performance and minimize this interference.
- Can I paint the thruster? You should paint the gear leg and propeller with anti-fouling paint before every season, but do not paint the anode, sealings, or propeller shafts.
- How often should I change the anode? The anode should be changed before every season, or when half of it has eroded. Use sealant or thread glue on the holding screw.
