Volvo Penta News & Specials

New QL Belt Driven Bow Thruster

January 29 2009

The new QL compact bow thruster, the CT600 is an entirely new type of bow thruster with simplified installation and direct driven belt drive. The result of which is silent running.

Volvo Penta is one of the leading suppliers of bow thrusters for leisure craft. The idea behind the new CT600 is to offer better comfort, simpler installation, and less need for service.

The CT600 operates on a drive belt instead of the traditional cog gears. The belt operation has a softer sound and lower noise level. It also creates lower vibrations and requires less maintenance. There is no oil in the gear box that needs to be changed and the bearings are permanently lubricated. The stainless steel of the console means that no zinc anodes are needed.

The completely new thruster design in composite material gives the CT600 a very high level of power output. The power output of the thruster enables us to use a tunnel with a diameter of 160mm instead of 185mm. Smaller diameters create more compact installation and less drag during operation.

The 160mm tunnel, combined with the horizontal engine position, results in truly compact installation dimensions. The design also results in a significantly simpler drop in assembly.