How to Choose a Suitable Waterjet Thruster System for your Boat ?

June 12, 2026

Choosing the Ultimate Water Jet Propulsion System:

Switching to electric marine propulsion opens a world of silent, eco-friendly, and highly efficient water travel. But if you are building or upgrading an electric personal watercraft, how do you choose the right underwater thruster?

Unlike traditional open-propeller systems, a water jet pump uses an enclosed impeller to draw water in and force it out at high velocity. This provides incredible safety, lower drag, and shallow-water capability.

Choosing the right unit comes down to balancing weight, target speed, and vehicle type. We have broken down the core factors you need to consider based on the industry-leading water jet lineup from Mayrc Industrial.

1. Match the Thrust to Your Vehicle Weight

The single most critical factor in choosing a thruster is matching its total thrust output to the weight and hull type of your watercraft. Under-powering your boat prevents it from planing, while over-powering adds unnecessary battery strain.

Lightweight Craft (Up to 150 kg loaded): For jet kayaks, personal paddleboard boosters, and small electric surfboards, look for thrusters generating between 45kg and 85kg of thrust.
Mid-Sized Craft (150 kg to 300 kg loaded): Standard electric surfboards (e-surfs), single-rider jet skis, and lightweight rescue boats thrive with thrust outputs between 90kg and 115kg.
Heavy Craft & Multi-Passenger Boats (300 kg+): Large electric yachts, multi-person jet drive boats, and heavy-duty industrial platforms require 160kg+ of thrust to move efficiently against currents.

2. Identify Your Specific Application Setup

Different hulls require different motor configurations. Here is how our specialized lineup maps out across real-world setups:

System Type

Best For...

Features to Look For

Maytech Suitable Products

Waterjet Pump

Electric Surfboards, Jet Skis, High-Speed Jet Boats

Internal impellers, high RPM, flush hull mount, steering nozzles

Pod Drive Motors

Electric Kayaks, Inflatable Boats, Hydrofoils, ROVs

Exposed propeller with guard, steerable rod, high static torque

MTED65

MTED70

MTED120

3. Review the Mayrc Water Jet Lineup Performance Specs

To find your exact model, evaluate how our water jet pump collection scales in power and maximum thrust capacity:

MTWJ10KW & MTWJ12KW (13.2KW Peak Power)

Thrust Output: 84 kg to 101 kg

Best Use: Perfect for standard electric jet kayaks, DIY jetboards, and small rafts. These offer a compact footprint while breaking past the 100 kg thrust barrier.

MTWJ15KW-S & MTWJ20KW-S (13.9KW to 21KW Peak Power)

Thrust Output: 90.6 kg to 115 kg

Best Use: High-performance electric surfboards, professional jetskis, and mid-sized electric jet boats. These models come equipped with integrated steering nozzles and debris filters for real-world navigation.

MTWJ40KW (40KW Extreme Power)

Thrust Output: 168.8 kg

Best Use: Electric yachts, commercial watercraft, and high-speed multi-passenger jetdrive boats. Includes a 60° heavy-duty steering nozzle for precise agility.

4. Don’t Forget Your ESC and Remote Ecosystem

An underwater thruster cannot run without a high-grade Electronic Speed Controller (ESC) and a waterproof marine remote control.

The ESC: High-power water jets draw massive current. Ensure your ESC is completely waterproof (IP68) and utilizes active water-cooling to prevent overheating during extended runs. For systems like the MTWJ15KW-S and MTWJ20KW-S, pairing it with a heavy-duty 300A Marine ESC Controller guarantees safe power delivery.

The Remote Control: For water sports like jetboarding, choose an IP67/IP68 floating remote with a safety wrist strap, cruise control features, and a clear display showing live battery voltage and motor RPM. Click here to check our Throttle options: