You've found the most powerful and most reliable houseboat thrusters on the market.
Welcome to HydraNautics, where precision meets performance. We are committed to delivering the highest quality parts engineered for durability and reliability, backed by exceptional customer service that puts your needs first. Whether you're upgrading, repairing, or adding a new system, our expert team ensures quick, hassle-free installations to get you up and running without delay. At HydraNautics, excellence isn’t just a goal — it’s our standard.
How We Started
HydraNautics began as a simple idea on a back porch in the late 1980s — a solution to improve the maneuverability of a newly acquired houseboat navigating the tight spaces of Jamestown Marina. That idea, driven by innovation and hands-on experience, laid the foundation for what would become a trusted name in marine propulsion systems.
It all started with founder Richard “Dick” Gregart, a passionate barefoot skier and boating enthusiast. In search of comfort and convenience during long days on the water, Dick made a trade with Joe Sharpe for his first houseboat — a decision that would shape the future of marine thruster systems. When he inquired about installing thrusters, he was told they weren’t necessary — especially by a skilled helicopter pilot like himself. But Dick saw potential. Drawing from his knowledge of hydraulics and a strong sense of intuition, he began developing a hydraulic thruster system for houseboats — a concept that, at the time, had only been attempted using electric trolling motor-style solutions.
After several prototypes and refinements, Dick successfully installed a powerful hydraulic stern thruster on his own vessel. The results were immediate and impressive, drawing attention from fellow boaters who were eager to upgrade their own vessels. Word spread quickly, and Dick soon became know as “The Thrusterman”. Over time, Dick refined the system into a more efficient and easily retrofittable design, making it accessible to more boat owners.
Years later, HydraNautics partnered with Jim Sharpe of Sharpe Houseboats to co-develop a proprietary system that featured a tunnel bow thruster and removable stern thruster — a setup that became standard on Sharpe vessels due to its unmatched performance and innovation. Building on that success, Dick created a bolt-on bow thruster, allowing owners of previously manufactured boats to experience the same level of control and maneuverability.
For over 35 years, Dick and his wife Janey traveled coast to coast, installing thrusters and transforming the way customers handled their boats — always with a focus on quality, reliability, and customer satisfaction. Today, HydraNautics continues that legacy with the same commitment to innovation, craftsmanship, and exceptional service that started it all.
A Continued Commitment to Execllence
Fast forward to 2021, when Derek and Halie Storm — newcomers to the houseboating lifestyle in Oklahoma — found themselves facing a common challenge: maneuvering their houseboat into a slip against strong Oklahoma winds off the stern. After thorough research, they discovered HydraNautics and were immediately impressed by its reputation for power and reliability. With a background in mechanical engineering and a career in electrical controls, Derek installed the system himself and was instantly sold on its performance and intuitive operation. Over the next two years, conversations between Derek and Dick evolved from shared enthusiasm into a thoughtful discussion about the future of the company. In 2023, as Dick and Janey prepared for retirement, they entrusted the HydraNautics legacy to Derek and Halie. Now leading the company, the Storms are committed to preserving the core values of innovation, quality, and customer satisfaction — continuing HydraNautics’ mission to provide the most powerful and dependable houseboat thrusters on the market.