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Mercury Marine unveiled at the Miami International Boat Show in Florida the long-awaited evolution of its Joystick Piloting system for single-engine outboard boats, which can finally be integrated with bow thrusters, greatly expanding its usefulness.
We tested the first version of the Mercury Joystick Piloting for single-engine boats at the last Cannes Boat Show – find the video below – which had immediately seemed interesting, but still incomplete. At that time, Mercury announced that that system would soon receive major upgrades, and today it delivers on that promise with the most anticipated feature: integration with the bow thruster, precisely.
Until now, Joystick Piloting, when steering with a single-engine installation, merely grouped rudder and throttle control on the stick. Considerable simplification for novice owners and convenience for the more experienced, being able to manage throttle and direction more easily, but the limitations, compared to the control given by a multi-engine installation, were considerable. Now, with the integration of the bow thruster, the torque of forces needed to perform the most complex maneuvers will be available. For the first time on a single-engine boat, simply by moving the joystick, you will be able to do axis rotation and, more importantly, translation. This exponentially increases the ability to navigate in restricted waters, which might otherwise be extremely challenging on single-engine boats.
This system, too, can be integrated with the Mercury SmartCraft system and support a number of advanced controls previously unavailable for single-engine boats. These include digital anchoring systems, which allow the desired position and course to be maintained regardless of wind and current.
The Joystick Piloting system for single-engine outboards with bow thrusters will remain compatible with the same Verado and Sea Pro V8, V10 or V12 models, equipped with electric steering, from 250 to 600 Hp, due to space issues. For bow thrusters, on the other hand, it will be compatible with models from a variety of partners, as long as they are CAN-based variable speed. It will be available to Mercury shipyards and dealers in the second quarter of 2025, so we expect to try this interesting new development soon.
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