Optimizing a yacht’s control systems is key to helping the helmsman maintain a safe and enjoyable experience on the water, and thrusters are a big part of that control. Quick Group, an Italian manufacturer of marine components with a particular focus on stabilization and steering solutions, introduced us to its new QSY (Quick Synchronous Motors) electric thrusters and control system at the recent International BoatBuilders’ Exhibition & Conference (IBEX) in Tampa, Florida. These new units draw on Quick’s proprietary synchronous brushless motor technology to deliver enhanced thruster power and control with reduced noise and energy consumption.
The thrusters “are very compact and easy to install,” said Stefano Lenarduzzi, CEO of Quick Group. He explained that the three most innovative features of this latest thruster upgrade are the proportional synchronous motors, the fully integrated drives and what the company calls a Q-centric CAN bus system with innovative controls.
What all this means for the boat owner or builder is that the QSY thruster setup offers a simpler, more efficient tool to help control the boat’s movement, especially when docking or maneuvering in tight quarters. The new units expand Quick’s QSY range, which now offers solutions for vessels from 23 to 100 feet, with 100 to 771 pounds of thrust. Dual power supply options of 12V/24V and 24V/48V add flexibility when choosing the proper thruster for a boat’s displacement and windage.
“Keeping it simple” is a theme shared by many manufacturers of complex systems these days, and to that end, Quick demonstrated its new Pacific control interface for these thrusters. The straightforward interface features a compact, ergonomic layout optimized for the QSY thrusters but is also designed to integrate with third-party maneuvering systems. Through industry-standard communication protocols, including NMEA 2000, it allows seamless integration of Quick’s thrusters and other equipment with joysticks and assisted maneuvering systems from the likes of Volvo Penta, Mercury Marine and Xenta.
The system’s plug-and-play connection with a single network cable simplifies wiring and installation and reduces power consumption. “The other new thing is the easy way to interface the system with Mercury motors and with Volvo IPS motors,” said Lenarduzzi. “…You go directly to the interface of the motor with the same kind of wire, and that’s it.”
With a remarkable continuous runtime of up to 10 minutes and twin counter-rotating blades that offer maximum efficiency, Quick’s next generation of electric thrusters will be showcased at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, October 28 through November 1, 2026.
