Yamaha was the first Japanese outboard engine manufacturer to introduce its own assisted mooring system. In 2014 was released the Helm Master joystick, which allows you to control up to four outboard engines at the same time to move the boat in any directions. This capability is now well known and shared by all systems that require the presence of the joystick on board. Today this useful accessory is enriched by the potential offered by the other elements of the set designed for owners of Yamaha engines. Thus, next to the control lever is also used the SetPoint device with 3 modes that integrate the use of GPS. The new CL7 color display is also used to control everything. We had the opportunity to test it with the output of test of the Capelli Tempest 38.
Joystick and GPS the pair of Helm Master and SetPoint
Helm Master Digital Electronic Control (DEC)Â is the gateway to the Drive-by-Wire system. This, among other things, allows you to directly control the speed control, the electronic trim assistant; the single-lever throttle also for multiple engines-
In addition, on top of the joystick, Yamaha has installed a button to activate and use the three new SetPoint control modes of the boat.
The basic SetPoint control unit connects the functions offered by GPS navigation technology to the Helm Master system. To ensure maximum accuracy, the satellite receiver for geo-positioning uses a dual antenna – new for Yamaha – which provides more information and navigation data to the operating system.
Three ways to use SetPoint with your outboards
- DriftPoint – Designed for the needs of the fisherman, but not only that, there are three modes that can be accessed with the Yamaha system. DriftPoint allows the boat to drift in the wind or drift with the current but keeping the bow fixed in one direction. Ideal, as the name suggests, for kite fishing or drifting. You keep the boat at the same value indicated by the compass, but without worrying about anything else.
- FishPoint keeps the boat close to a selected point, keeping the position fixed but not the bow orientation. Another set up designed for fishing. The boat stays on the chosen spot, using the engines slightly. Very useful condition for those who perform depth fishing, where maybe you have to stay above a hole while all around there are 200 meters of water between the boat and the bottom of the sea and anchoring becomes very difficult. And the anchor does not guarantee the position, but only a distance: if the wind or current changes, the position changes as well. The boat’s engines are used to stay in position. Yamaha has thought about how to reduce noise and water turbulence by synchronizing the use of propellers to maintain the ship’s point. With FishPoint, you can also select the maximum number of revolutions that the engines can reach when they are activated to maintain the position: up to 2500 rpm.
- StayPoint ensures a double constraint: direction and position. This solution does not only apply to fish, as it does, for example, when you are near a jetty or an obstacle. This capacity comes in handy for the helmsman when standing in line for refueling or when waiting for a passage to be cleared such as a bridge or lock.
Note that each of the SetPoint functions is user-defined and can be customized to suit individual requirements. Another new feature is Yamaha’s latest CL7 display: an access point for setting and controlling all SetPoint functions.
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