🌊 Pure Thrust. You Choose the Control.

The Firduo TUNA TT160-A1 Underwater Thruster is a 1500W high-thrust waterproof motor unit designed for SUP, kayak, surfboard, and custom marine builds. Unlike the all-in-one A2 version, the TT160-A1 is a motor-only thruster — giving you full freedom to pair it with your preferred ESC, VESC controller, or existing power system for maximum customization.

With up to 18.5 KGF of thrust at 1430W, a passive water-cooled tube, 360° large-flow water inlet, and a multi-functional installation module compatible with universal tail fin boxes and DIY mounts, the TUNA A1 is the builder's choice for high-performance electric water sports propulsion. Available in 4 variants: two mounting configurations (A1-1 / A1-2) each in CW and CCW propeller rotation.

📄 Download TUNA A1 Underwater Thruster 2D Drawings (PDF)

⚡ Key Features

• ✅ Motor-Only Design — pair with any ESC or VESC controller for full customization
• ✅ 18.5 KGF Max Thrust @ 30A / 1430W — powerful enough for SUP, kayak, and surfboard propulsion
• ✅ 1500W Continuous / 2000W Peak Power — sustained performance for extended sessions
• ✅ Passive Water-Cooled Tube — natural water flow cools the motor and esc during operation; no pump required
• ✅ 360° Large-Flow Water Inlet — fluid hydrodynamic design minimizes drag and maximizes efficiency
• ✅ Multi-Functional Installation Module — universal tail fin box interface or DIY custom mount
• ✅ CW & CCW Propeller Options — Choose either CW or CCW for single drive.For dual-drive, use one CW and one CCW.
• ✅ High-Strength Anodized Aluminum Shell — corrosion-resistant for saltwater and freshwater use
• ✅ Fully Waterproof Motor — sealed for continuous underwater operation
• ✅ 4.0mm Gold Connector Plug — pre-installed on 900mm silicone motor wire for easy ESC connection

📋 Full Specifications

Thrust Performance (13S Reference Voltage)

📦 What's in the Box

Tail Fin Version

• ① Underwater thruster × 1
• ② 4.0mm gold connector (Male and female ends) × 3
• ③ Tail fin base × 1, pin × 2 (including 1 extra)
• ④ M4 × 16 screw × 3 (Including 1 extra)
• ⑤ M2.5 wrench × 1

⚠️ ESC not included.

🔗 Compatible Builds & Recommended Pairings

• SUP / Paddleboard — universal tail fin box mount (A1-1) for instant electric conversion
• Kayak / Canoe — DIY interface (A1-2) for custom transom or hull mounting
• Electric Surfboard / Foilsurf / RC Boat — waterproof motor for any water application
• Recommended Kit: Firduo TUNA Underwater Thrust Kit — same thruster with  ESC and remote
• Recommended Single thruster: Firduo TUNA Thrust — same thruster, but without mounting bracket. Lower cost, greater DIY potential.
• Recommended VESC: Any VESC-compatible ESC rated for 30A continuous at 10S–14S — e.g., Firduo Manatee 100 PRO VESC for high-power builds
• Recommended ESC: Firduo Walrus 14S Waterproof Brushless ESC—Designed specifically for low-power underwater thrusters -With a 6–14S LiPo input range, and a built-in 6V/1A BEC，PPM/PWM compatible
• Recommended Remote: Firduo VX3 Waterproof Remote Controller — IP67, PPM/PWM compatible, designed for water sports
• Battery: 10S–14S LiPo or Li-ion pack, minimum 30A continuous discharge recommended

🛠️ Setup Guide

1. Select your variant — choose your mounting model (A1-1 for universal tail fin box; A1-2 for DIY/custom mount) and propeller rotation (CW or CCW). When viewed from behind the board, CW rotates clockwise. Choose either CW or CCW for single drive.For dual-drive, use one CW and one CCW.
2. Mount the thruster — insert the TUNA A1 into your board's tail fin box or attach via the DIY interface. Secure with the provided hardware. Ensure the propeller has clear water flow and the motor wire is routed safely away from the propeller.
3. Connect motor wire to ESC — plug the 3× 4.0mm gold bullet connectors into your ESC phase outputs (A-B-C). Rotation direction can be corrected in VESC Tool or by swapping any two phase wires — no rewiring of the motor required.
4. Connect ESC to battery — use a high-current connector rated for your ESC's input current. Verify battery voltage is within 36–58.8V (10S–14S) before connecting. Use an anti-spark switch or pre-charge resistor to prevent connector damage.
5. Connect remote receiver to ESC — plug the PPM or UART signal cable from your remote receiver into the ESC signal input. Configure throttle direction and endpoints in VESC Tool or your ESC's configuration software.
6. Configure ESC (VESC) — if using a VESC-based ESC, connect via USB and run the motor auto-detection wizard. Set current limits to 30A continuous (70A max burst), configure throttle curve, and set protection thresholds. Our support team can provide a recommended config file on request.
7. Water test at low power — start at 10–15A (500–750W) in calm water. Verify smooth operation, check for vibration or unusual noise, and confirm all connections are secure and dry before increasing to full power.

❓ FAQ

Q1: What's the difference between the TUNA A1 and TUNA A2?
The TT160-A1 is a motor-only thruster — it requires an external ESC to operate. This gives you full control over ESC selection, throttle mapping, and VESC configuration. The TT160-A2 is an all-in-one system with a built-in waterproof ESC — just add a battery and PPM/PWM remote and you're ready to go. Choose A1 if you already have an ESC or want VESC-level customization; choose A2 for the simplest plug-and-play setup.

Q2: What ESC do I need for the TUNA A1?
You need an ESC rated for at least 30A continuous / 70A burst at 10S–14S (36–58.8V). Any VESC-compatible ESC in this range will work. For high-power builds or if you want full VESC Tool configurability, the Firduo Manatee 100 PRO VESC is a proven pairing. For simpler builds, any hobby-grade ESC rated for the voltage and current will work. Contact us with your build specs for a recommendation.

Q3: CW or CCW — which rotation do I need?
When viewed from behind the board (water-facing side), CW rotates clockwise and CCW rotates counter-clockwise. Choose either CW or CCW for single drive. For a twin-thruster setup, use one CW and one CCW for balanced thrust. 

Q4: Does the passive water cooling work effectively? Do I need to do anything special?
Yes. The TUNA A1 uses a passive water-cooled tube that draws water through the motor housing as the thruster moves through water — no pump or external cooling loop required. This keeps the motor cool during normal operation. Avoid running the thruster out of water for extended periods, as the passive cooling relies on water flow. Brief out-of-water testing at low power is fine for connection verification.

Q5: What's the difference between TT160-A1-1 and TT160-A1-2?
The two models differ in their mounting interface. TT160-A1-1 uses a universal tail fin box interface compatible with standard SUP and surfboard fin boxes — the easiest option for most boards. TT160-A1-2 uses a DIY custom interface for non-standard mounts, kayak transoms, or custom hull installations. Both deliver identical thrust performance. If you have a standard fin box on your board, choose A1-1.