Vetus · Bow thruster

Vetus BOW bow thrusters 25–95 kgf

Vetus names its conventional on/off tunnel thrusters by thrust, voltage and version: a BOW5512D gives 55 kgf at 12 V and is version D. In the tunnel sits a bronze tailpiece with a bevel gear in an oil bath and a six-blade polyacetal propeller on a drive pin that shears when something jams it; inside the boat a brushed, reversible DC motor with its solenoid pack and thermal switch drives it through a flexible coupling and an intermediate flange. The 25 and 35 kgf D versions (1.5 kW, 110 and 150 mm tunnel) left the catalogue in 2018 for the BOW2512E, the BOW3512E and the BOW3512F for 125 mm tunnels, while the 45 kgf (125 mm, 12 V only), 55/60 kgf (150 mm), 75/80 kgf and 95/105 kgf (both 185 mm) D versions are still current in 12 and 24 V. Wear parts follow the tunnel size more than the model: propeller SET0087 and anode SET0149 fit every BOW5512 version, propeller SET0088 and anode SET0150 every 185 mm type. The proportional BOW PRO series (BOWA and BOWB, shown in 2018) has a brushless motor with its own controller, fits the same tunnel sizes and shares tailpieces and anodes with the D range.

Manuals & documents

The links go straight to Vetus. We host no manuals or drawings — the manufacturer’s copy is the current one.

Wear parts & part numbers

PartOEM numberAlso fitsNote
PropellerSET00861,2,3—110 mm tunnel: every BOW2512 version up to the D and the BOW2512E. Six blades, with drive pin and mounting set; Vetus also sells it to replace older three-blade propellers.
PropellerSET00871,4,5,6—150 mm tunnel, 146 mm diameter: BOW5512D/5524D and every earlier BOW5512/5524, the BOW3512 up to the D and the BOW3512E. Also the six-blade upgrade for older three-blade propellers (quieter, up to 10 % less current, per Vetus).
PropellerSET02251,7,8—125 mm tunnel, 122 mm diameter: BOW4512D and BOW3512F. The 2025 BOW4512D manual lists the propeller kit as SET45P; the parts guide and the webshop sell SET0225.
PropellerSET00881,9,10,11—185 mm tunnel, 178 mm diameter: BOW7512D/7524D and BOW9512D/9524D, also the BOW6012D/6024D and every earlier BOW7512/7524 and BOW9512/9524 version.
PropellerDM80019 · DM80020A1,12,13,14—BOW PRO only (blue, not interchangeable by number with the D propellers): DM80019 = 150 mm for BOWA0571, BOWA0574 and BOWB057. For 185 mm the parts guide lists DM80020 (BOWA0651/0761/0764, BOWB065–BOWB130); the webshop marks DM80020 as discontinued and sells DM80020A for BOWA0651/0764 and BOWB076.
Anode (lower unit)SET01481,15,2,16—Zinc anode with screws for the 110 mm tailpiece: every BOW2512 incl. the E, and the BOW PRO 30 kgf (BOWA0301/0304). Fit the screws with thread-locker.
Anode (lower unit)SET01491,15,4,17,18—Zinc anode with screws for the 125, 140 and 150 mm tailpieces: BOW3512 (all versions incl. E/F), BOW4512D, BOW5512D/5524D and every earlier BOW5512/5524, BOW4012 and BOW PRO 36–57 kgf.
Anode (lower unit)SET01501,15,9,10,19—Zinc anode with screws for the 185 mm tailpiece: BOW7512D/7524D, BOW9512D/9524D, BOW6012D/6024D and the BOW PRO 65–130 kgf.
Shear pinBP11681,2,20—Single drive pin 4 × 31 mm for every BOW2512 incl. the E. Vetus calls it a drive pin; it breaks when something jams the propeller.
Shear pinBP11294,17,5,1,21replaces BP1019—Set of 5 drive pins 5 × 45.5 mm: BOW3512 (incl. E/F), BOW4512D and every BOW5512/5524. The webshop gives BP1019 as the old number; the parts guide still lists BP1019 for the 125–150 mm BOW PRO.
Shear pinBP275S9,10,1,22—Set of 5 drive pins 27.5 × 5 mm: BOW7512D/7524D, BOW9512D/9524D, BOW6012D/6024D and their earlier versions. The 185 mm BOW PRO is listed with BP275SS, a different code.
Motor brushesBP11871,15,23—BOW2512 and BOW3512 up to the D: set of 4 brushes 9 × 25 × 13 mm with springs. Replace at 14 mm at the latest.
Motor brushesCB2535E2,5,7,1,15,24—BOW2512E, BOW3512E and BOW3512F (also BOW4012): set of 4 brushes 15 × 9 × 26 mm, minimum length 14 mm. Not the same as BP1187 of the D motors.
Motor brushesSET0126 · SET01274,17,9,15,1,25,26—3 and 4.4 kW motors, minimum length 14 mm: SET0126 = 8 brushes 9 × 20 × 28.5 mm for the 12 V BOW4512D, BOW5512D and BOW7512D (also BOW6012D and BOW5512A–C); SET0127 = 4 brushes 11 × 25 × 28.5 mm for the 24 V BOW5524D and BOW7524D.
Motor brushesSET0128 · SET0129 · VP00005510,15,1,27,28,29—5.7 kW motors, minimum length 16 mm: SET0128 = 8 brushes 12.5 × 31 × 20 mm for the BOW9512D, SET0129 = 8 brushes 10 × 31 × 20 mm for the BOW9524D. The parts guide gives SET0128 for BOW9512D motors up to 2017 and VP000055 (4 brushes, springs VP000064) for later ones, while the 2025 manual still shows SET0128: compare with the brushes in your motor before ordering.
RelaySET0015 · SET0020 · SET0111 · SET00444,17,9,10,1,30,31—Solenoid switch set: SET0015 = 12 V for BOW4512D, BOW5512D and BOW7512D; SET0020 = 24 V for BOW5524D and BOW7524D; SET0111 = 12 V for BOW9512D; SET0044 = 24 V for BOW9524D.
RelaySET0009 · SOL2535E1,2,5,32—1.5 kW motors: SET0009 for BOW2512 and BOW3512 up to the D; SOL2535E for BOW2512E, BOW3512E and BOW3512F.
MotorSET02281,2,5,7,33—1.5 kW 12 V motor with solenoid, listed for every BOW2512 and BOW3512 up to the E/F (and the BOW4012). Under the same set number the parts guide shows motor type 11216252 (BOW2512), 11216260 (BOW3512) and BP166195 (E versions).
MotorSET0060 · SET01084,17,1,34,35—3 kW motor complete with solenoids: SET0060 = 12 V, type EC3/1.2/29-02, for BOW4512D and BOW5512D (also BOW5512A–C and BOW6012D); SET0108 = 24 V, type EC3/2.4/33-02, for BOW5524D (also A–C and BOW6024D).
MotorSET0031 · SET01099,1,36,37—4.4 kW motor complete with solenoids: SET0031 = 12 V, type EC4.4/1.2/29, for BOW7512D and the earlier BOW7512; SET0109 = 24 V, type EC4.4/2.4/30, for BOW7524D and the earlier BOW7524.
MotorSET0041 · SET011010,1,38,39—5.7 kW motor complete with solenoids: SET0041 = 12 V, type EC 5.7/1.2/39-02, for BOW9512B–D; SET0110 = 24 V, type EC 5.7/2.4/39-02, for BOW9524B–D.
FuseZE125 · ZE160 · ZE250 · ZE355 · ZE425 · ZE2004,17,9,10,2,5,1,40—Main fuse, slow blow, in the positive cable close to the battery: ZE125 = BOW2512D/E and BOW5524D, ZE160 = BOW3512D/E/F, ZE250 = BOW4512D and BOW5512D, ZE355 = BOW7512D, ZE425 = BOW9512D, ZE200 = BOW7524D and BOW9524D. Fuse holder ZEHC100.
FuseBP2564,10,41—5 A ATO blade fuse of the control circuit. It sits in the motor; a spare is kept in the relay cover.
Overheat sensorTS1051,2,5,42—Thermal switch 105 °C of the 1.5 kW motors: BOW2512D and BOW3512D; the E and F manuals list it as well.
Overheat sensorTG110-75S · T110-0S · T110-75S · TG95-110S · T95-110S1,43,44,45,46—Temperature sensor per the parts guide: TG110-75S = BOW4512D, BOW5512D and BOW7512D (12 V); T110-0S = BOW5524D; T110-75S = BOW7524D; TG95-110S = BOW9512D; T95-110S = BOW9524D. The figures give the trip temperature and the bracket angle. The manuals still list the older codes TS110 (TS95 for the BOW9524D).
Flexible couplingBP12024,17,9,10,1,47—Flexible coupling between motor and tailpiece: BOW4512D, BOW5512D/5524D (from version A), BOW7512D/7524D, BOW9512D/9524D, BOW6012D and the BOW PRO up to 130 kgf. Slide it onto the motor shaft until the shaft end lines up with the underside of the flange, then tighten the M5 lock screw to 3 Nm.
Flexible couplingSET0010 · SET0022 · BP1670871,2,48,49,50—1.5 kW thrusters: adapter sleeve SET0010 (30 × 23.5 mm) for the BOW2512 up to the D and SET0022 for the BOW3512 up to the D; flexible coupling BP167087 for the BOW2512E, BOW3512E and BOW3512F.
Tailpiece (underwater gear housing)SET0011 · SET25TP · SET0017 · SET02261,2,7,51,52,53—Complete tailpiece, small types: SET0011 = BOW2512 up to the D, SET25TP = BOW2512E, SET0017 = BOW3512 up to the D, SET0226 = BOW3512F and BOW4512D (125 mm; the BOW4512D manual calls it SET45T). The BOW3512E takes the 150 mm tailpiece SET0078.
Tailpiece (underwater gear housing)SET0078 · SET0035 · SET00464,9,10,5,1,54,55,56—Complete tailpiece: SET0078 = 150 mm for BOW5512D/5524D, BOW3512E and the 150 mm BOW PRO; SET0035 = BOW7512D/7524D (and BOWB110/130); SET0046 = BOW9512D/9524D, BOW6012D/6024D and the 185 mm BOW PRO up to 90 kgf. For pre-D thrusters the parts guide lists VP000250 (BOW5512A–C), VP000251 (BOW7512 to C) and VP000252 (BOW9512B/C), while the webshop titles name SET0078 for BOW55 A/B, SET0035 for BOW75 C and SET0046 for BOW95 B: check with Vetus before ordering for an older unit.
Intermediate flangeBP1148B · BP1034B · BP4504B · BP1272B · BP1199B1,4,9,10,57,58,59,60,61—Black flange between tailpiece and motor: BP1148B = BOW2512D, BP1034B = BOW3512 up to the D, BP4504B = BOW4512D (the manual says SET45FB), BP1272B = BOW5512D/5524D, BP1199B = BOW7512D/7524D and BOW9512D/9524D. The E/F versions and the ignition-protected I versions have their own flanges.
Gasket setSET95CE · BP11701,62,63,2—Tailpiece gaskets: SET95CE = spare-gasket set for BOW35, 55, 60, 75, 80 and 95, which the parts guide also gives for the BOW4512D (the D manuals list two 2 mm gaskets BP1020 and one 1 mm gasket BP1021); BP1170 = tailpiece gasket for the BOW2512 (two per thruster on the E). Bed them with polyurethane or silicone sealant.
Propeller shaft greaseVSG4,64—VETUS Shipping Grease, a water-repellent lithium grease that the manuals specify for the propeller shaft and for the bolt threads of tailpiece, flange and motor.
Control panelBPSE2 · BPJE24,65,66—On/off panels with built-in reversing delay, watertight to IP66: BPSE2 with push buttons, BPJE2 with joystick. The D manuals also list BPSSE, BPJSE, BPJDE2, BPJDSE, BPAS, BPAJ, BPSR, BPJR and EZDOCK2. BOW PRO needs its own proportional panels.
Wiring harnessBP15154 · BP15049 · BP150481—Wiring loom: BP15154 = BOW25, BOW35 and BOW40; BP15049 = BOW45D to BOW60D; BP15048 = BOW75D to BOW285D.

Numbers checked against the sources below on 23 October 2026. Always confirm against your serial number and exact type before ordering.

Service intervals

TaskInterval
Electrical connectionsFirst 2–3 weeks (14 days) after installation, then at least every 3 months: check every connection between battery and thruster and on the solenoids, tighten loose ones, clean and lightly grease corroded ones15,4
BatteryEvery 2 months: battery voltage at least 12.6 V (25.2 V) at rest and not below 9.5 V (19 V) while the thruster runs; BOW PRO not below 10.5 V (21 V)15
Motor brushesOnce a year, every 2 months on charter boats or with other very intensive use: blow out the dust, clean brushes, holders and commutator, check that the brushes slide freely, and measure them (minimum 14 mm on 25–75 kgf, 16 mm on 95 kgf); if one is too short, replace all. Not on BOW PRO (brushless)15
AnodeAt least once a year, in clear water also afloat during the season: replace the tailpiece anode when less than half of it is left15

From Vetus’ Maintenance and Warranty Manual for thrusters (020901.02), which covers the whole BOW range and the BOW PRO and counts the dates in days from first use. The tailpiece is lubricated for the long term, so there is no gear-oil change. Keep the maintenance log in that booklet: Vetus can refuse a warranty claim if the schedule was not followed and recorded.

Specifications

TypeConventional on/off tunnel thruster: brushed, reversible DC motor with solenoid pack and thermal switch inside the boat, flexible coupling and intermediate flange, bronze tailpiece with a helical bevel gear in an oil bath, six-blade polyacetal propeller on a drive pin. Fits Vetus tunnels in GRP, steel or aluminium; with a Vetus stern tunnel it also works as a stern thruster. Vetus quotes boats of 26–39 ft (8–12 m) for the 55 kgf.4,67
ModelsBOW2512D (25 kgf, 110 mm, 1.5 kW, 12 V) · BOW3512D (35 kgf, 150 mm, 1.5 kW, 12 V) · BOW4512D (45 kgf, 125 mm, 3 kW, 12 V only) · BOW5512D / BOW5524D (55 / 60 kgf, 150 mm, 3 kW) · BOW7512D / BOW7524D (80 / 85 kgf, 185 mm, 4.4 kW) · BOW9512D / BOW9524D (95 / 105 kgf, 185 mm, 5.7 kW). Successors of the small D: BOW2512E (110 mm), BOW3512E (150 mm), BOW3512F (125 mm). Ignition-protected versions end in I (e.g. BOW5512DI, BOW3512EI); the extended-runtime 95 kgf are the BOW952DE and BOW954DE. Sibling not covered here: BOW6012D / BOW6024D (185 mm, 3 kW).1,17,4,9,10,68,69
ThrustRated thrust per the manuals: BOW2512E 25 kgf (250 N), BOW3512E/F 35 kgf, BOW4512D 45 kgf, BOW5512D 55 kgf, BOW5524D 60 kgf, BOW7512D 80 kgf, BOW7524D 85 kgf (despite the 75 in the name), BOW9512D 95 kgf, BOW9524D 105 kgf. Vetus reaches these only with the recommended batteries and cables; on a given boat the effect depends on windage, displacement and hull shape.2,5,7,17,4,9,10
TunnelInside diameter 110 mm (BOW2512), 125 mm (BOW3512F, BOW4512D), 150 mm (BOW3512D/E, BOW5512D/5524D) or 185 mm (BOW7512D/7524D, BOW9512D/9524D). Vetus steel tunnels have an outside diameter of 121, 133, 159 or 194 mm; GRP and aluminium tunnels the nominal inside diameter. For a 150 mm tunnel cut the hull holes to 159 mm (steel), 161 mm (GRP) or 160 mm (aluminium). Paint the wet side with epoxy or two-component polyurethane, then antifouling without copper.2,17,4,9
MotorReversible DC motor with carbon brushes: 1.5 kW (BOW2512, BOW3512; 3200 rpm on the BOW2512E, 2600 rpm on the BOW3512E/F, protection IP44), 3 kW at 3400 rpm (BOW4512D, BOW5512D/5524D), 4.4 kW at 2900 rpm (BOW7512D/7524D), 5.7 kW at 4200 rpm (BOW9512D/9524D). The D motors are IP20: motor and battery spaces must be dry and ventilated, and the motor must sit well above the highest bilge water level.2,5,17,4,9,10
Voltage12 V DC (BOW2512, BOW3512, BOW4512D, BOW5512D, BOW7512D, BOW9512D) or 24 V DC (BOW5524D, BOW7524D, BOW9524D); the last two digits of the type give the voltage. Check that the motor type plate matches the boat’s system. BOW PRO: 12 V or 48 V (BOWA), 12–24 V (BOWB up to 150 kgf).4,9,10,1
Current drawAt rated thrust: BOW2512E 200 A, BOW3512E/F 220 A, BOW4512D 375 A, BOW5512D 375 A, BOW5524D 205 A, BOW7512D 550 A, BOW7524D 315 A, BOW9512D 650 A, BOW9524D 320 A. Solenoid control current 2.8 A (12 V) or 1.4 A (24 V).2,5,17,4,9,10
RuntimeShort-time duty S2, because the motor heats up: 4 min continuously or at most 4 min per hour for the BOW2512E, BOW3512E/F, BOW4512D and BOW5512D/5524D; BOW7512D 2 min, BOW7524D 3 min, BOW9512D 3 min, BOW9524D 3.5 min. Let the motor cool afterwards. Much larger batteries with very short, heavier cables raise thrust and current, and the runtime must then be shortened. BOW PRO ‘A’ 57 kgf: S2 10 min.2,4,9,10,70
Gear ratioHelical bevel gear: 1 : 1 (BOW2512E, BOW3512E/F, BOW4512D, BOW5512D/5524D), 1.3 : 1 (BOW7512D/7524D), 1.7 : 1 (BOW9512D/9524D).2,4,9,10
Gear oilOil bath in the tailpiece with outboard gear oil SAE 80W-90 (some manuals: SAE 80W) or EP 90: about 0.024 l (BOW2512E), 0.04 l (BOW3512E/F, BOW4512D, BOW5512D/5524D, BOW PRO 57 kgf) or 0.06 l (BOW7512D/7524D, BOW9512D/9524D). Vetus calls the lubrication long-term and schedules no oil change.2,4,9,10,70,15
PropellerSix blades, asymmetric profile, polyacetal (Delrin): 108 mm (BOW2512E), 122 mm (BOW3512F, BOW4512D), 146 mm (BOW3512E, BOW5512D/5524D), 178 mm (BOW7512D/7524D, BOW9512D/9524D). It must run at least 1.5 mm clear of the tunnel wall all round. Older Vetus thrusters had three-blade propellers; Vetus sells the six-blade ones as an upgrade that is quieter and draws up to 10 % less current.2,7,4,9,6
Breaker / fuseMain fuse, slow blow, in the positive cable as close to the battery as possible (Vetus fuse holder ZEHC100): ZE125 for BOW2512D/E and BOW5524D, ZE160 for BOW3512D/E/F, ZE250 for BOW4512D and BOW5512D, ZE355 for BOW7512D, ZE425 for BOW9512D, ZE200 for BOW7524D and BOW9524D. A main switch also belongs in the positive cable (e.g. BATSW250, or the remote-controlled BPMAIN12/BPMAIN24 with emergency stop). The control circuit has a 5 A ATO blade fuse in the motor, with a spare in the relay cover. BOW PRO ‘A’ 57 kgf: main fuse ZE355 plus thruster fuse ZE300.2,5,17,4,9,10,70
BatteryStarting capacity required per the manuals (minimum–maximum, CCA): BOW2512E 333–667, BOW3512E/F 367–733, BOW4512D and BOW5512D 625–1250, BOW5524D 342–683, BOW7512D 917–1833, BOW7524D 525–1050, BOW9512D 1083–2166, BOW9524D 533–1067. Best a separate battery close to the thruster; only sealed batteries in the same compartment, because sparks from the brushes can ignite charging gas. Voltage at rest at least 12.6 V (24 V system: 25.2 V), while the thruster runs not below 9.5 V (19 V); BOW PRO not below 10.5 V (21 V). BOW PRO 57 kgf: 1 × 185 Ah 12 V (BOWA0571) or 2 × 90 Ah 12 V (BOWB057).2,5,17,4,9,10,15,70,71
Power cable sizeBy total length of plus and minus cable, voltage drop at most 10 %: BOW2512E 25 mm² up to 4.2 m, 50 mm² up to 8.5 m; BOW3512E/F 25 mm² up to 3.8 m, 50 mm² up to 7.7 m; BOW4512D and BOW5512D 25 mm² up to 2.3 m, 50 mm² up to 4.5 m, 95 mm² up to 8.7 m; BOW5524D 25 mm² up to 8.4 m; BOW7512D 50 mm² up to 3.1 m, 95 mm² up to 5.9 m; BOW7524D 25 mm² up to 5.4 m, 50 mm² up to 10.9 m; BOW9512D 50 mm² up to 2.6 m, 95 mm² up to 5 m, 120 mm² up to 6.3 m; BOW9524D 25 mm² up to 5.4 m, 50 mm² up to 10.8 m. Longer runs in the table on page 115 of each manual.2,5,17,4,9,10
MountingTunnel as far forward as possible, its top at least 0.5 × D below the waterline and 2–4 × D long (150 mm: at least 75 mm, 300–600 mm long); round the hull opening (R about 0.1 × D) or chamfer it (0.1–0.15 × D); grid bars only if really needed, rectangular and few. Two thrusters in one tunnel do not double the thrust. The tailpiece must not stick out of the tunnel, and the propeller must stay reachable from outside. The motor can stand upright or be tilted to horizontal, but then needs a support. Bed the tailpiece gasket with polyurethane or silicone sealant (e.g. Sikaflex-292), grease the bolt threads and check for leaks as soon as the boat is afloat. On steel or aluminium tunnels insulate bolts and shaft from the tailpiece (e.g. nylon bushes); the gaskets are already insulating. The manual includes a 1:1 drill template.4
Tightening torquesBOW5512D/5524D (manual): intermediate flange and motor bolts M8 12–15 Nm, threads greased; propeller nut M6 2 Nm; coupling lock screw M5 3 Nm. Battery-cable terminals on all BOW (maintenance manual): M8 8–10 Nm, M10 9–11 Nm; BOW PRO M10 14–16 Nm. Hold the inner nut with a second spanner so the terminal post does not twist out of the motor or solenoid.4,15
WeightWithout tunnel: BOW2512E 12 kg, BOW3512E/F 12 kg, BOW4512D 20 kg, BOW5512D/5524D 20 kg, BOW7512D/7524D 26 kg, BOW9512D/9524D 30 kg; BOW PRO BOWA0571 31 kg.2,5,17,4,9,10,70
ControlOn/off panels with a built-in delay when reversing, mounted next to the helm with at least 50 mm free behind: per the D manuals BPSE2, BPSSE, BPJE2, BPJSE, BPJDE2, BPJDSE, BPAS, BPAJ, BPSR, BPJR, EZDOCK2 and EZDOCKS; a second panel at another helm is plugged into the first. With the joystick BPJSTA, the side-mount panel BPSM or foot switches fit the delay unit BPTD. Never switch straight from port to starboard, and never work two panels at once. If the thrust direction is reversed, swap the blue (1) and white (4) wires on the relay. BOW PRO uses its own proportional CAN-bus panels.4,65,72
VersionsThe letter after the type marks the generation; Vetus’ parts guide goes back to the BOW5012 of the 1980s. 55 kgf: BOW5512 (up to 11/2004), A (up to 5/2006), B (out of catalogue 2012), C (2014), D (current). 75 and 95 kgf: first version (out 2006), B (2012), C (2014), D. 25 and 35 kgf: B, C and D, all out of catalogue by 2018, then E (and F for 125 mm) with a new motor type, solenoid SOL2535E, coupling BP167087 and brushes CB2535E. BOW PRO ‘A’ (BOWA, proportional, brushless): BOWA0301 30 kgf (110 mm), BOWA0361 36 kgf and BOWA0421 42 kgf (125 mm), BOWA0401 40 kgf (140 mm), BOWA0571 57 kgf (150 mm), BOWA0651 65 kgf and BOWA0761 76 kgf (185 mm); last digit 1 = 12 V, 4 = 48 V (2 = 24 V, dropped 2019). BOW PRO ‘B’ (BOWB, 12–24 V): BOWB057 (150 mm), BOWB065, BOWB076, BOWB090, BOWB110, BOWB130 (185 mm) and larger types up to 420 kgf.1,72
SuccessorBOW2512D → BOW2512E; BOW3512D → BOW3512E (150 mm) or BOW3512F (125 mm); the 45–95 kgf D are still sold in 2026. Vetus offers the proportional BOW PRO for the same tunnel sizes and calls it interchangeable with existing thrusters; it needs somewhat larger batteries.1,73,74
Warranty36 months from sale to a private end user, transferable to the next owner for the rest of the period; 12 months for commercial use, which needs Vetus’ written approval beforehand. Not covered: wear parts such as gaskets, lubricants, paint, carbon brushes and zinc anodes. The claim lapses if non-original parts were fitted, if the maintenance schedule was not followed and documented, or if a defect is not reported in writing within 14 days.15

Good to know

  • Read the full type code (e.g. BOW5512D) and the serial number off the motor plate before ordering: parts go by tunnel size, voltage and version letter. For a BOW5512A–C the parts guide gives the same motor SET0060, brush set SET0126, solenoids SET0015, coupling BP1202, propeller SET0087, anode SET0149 and drive pins BP1129 as for the D, but the tailpiece and intermediate flange differ by version.1
  • If the motor runs, maybe too fast, but there is no thrust, debris has broken the drive pin or the propeller blades: fit a new pin (BP1168, BP1129 or BP275S) and check the propeller hub for damage. A slow motor points to a flat battery, corroded connections, worn brushes, cold or a fishing line in the propeller.4,2,9
  • The brushes are the main wear part of the D motors and leave black dust, so keep delicate gear away from the motor. If only one brush is down to 14 mm (16 mm on the 95 kgf), Vetus wants the whole set replaced; brushes are wear parts and not covered by the warranty.15,4
  • The high currents make loose or corroded terminals very hot: tighten the cable lugs to the specified torque while holding the inner nut with a second spanner, and recheck after the first fortnight. Use only sealed batteries next to the motor, and not much more capacity than specified: Vetus warns that five times the suggested battery can damage the shaft connections.15,4
  • Do not use copper-based antifouling on the tailpiece and propeller, and replace the anode once it is half gone, more often near faulty shore power or other stray-current sources. On a steel or aluminium tunnel keep the tailpiece insulated from the tunnel: the gaskets insulate, but bolts and shaft need nylon bushes.4,15
  • Upgrading an old D? Vetus sells the BOW PRO for the same tunnel sizes, and the parts guide shows it on the same tailpieces (SET0078 at 150 mm, SET0046 at 185 mm), so the tunnel can usually stay. Plan for somewhat larger batteries and new proportional panels, and keep in mind that the warranty lapses with non-original parts.74,1,15

Videos & how-tos

Links to YouTube, nothing embedded. The maker’s own channel comes first; the rest are channels we found clear and correct for this model.

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Sources

  1. vetus.com/wp-content/uploads/080-Spare-Parts-Guide-BOW-Thrusters-January-2026-3.pdf
  2. vetus.com/wp-content/uploads/020530.08-r09-2025-01-BOW25E.pdf
  3. webshop.vetus.com/en/product/set0086-set-spare-6-blade-prop
  4. vetus.com/wp-content/uploads/020522.11-r08-2026-05-BOW55D.pdf
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  74. vetus.com/bowprofamily/

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