And now, you can have Joystick Steering even if you have only 1 engine.
I received this fascinating press release from our friends over at BOAT/US! (And added my own thoughts.) Joystick control was once a luxury only bigger pleasure boats. With twin engines or more, joystick steering makes docking, spinning the boat almost in place, virtual anchoring, etc. really easy. A few year ago I said to a Yamaha rep, almost as a joke, “how come you don’t have joystick steering for boats with just one outboard?” When he replied: “It’s on the way”, I figured it must be a joke. But now, it’s isn’t. Yamaha’s Helm Master has now expanded to include a boats powered with a single Yamaha outboard boat. The new joystick option will let boaters with smaller single-outboard powered boats enjoy the majority of the benefits associated with multi-outboard applications. (I have to add that you will need one of the newer electronic Yamaha engines in order to work.) The Helm Master EX boasts enhanced joystick maneuverability with smooth, quiet, precise operation, new single-function buttons and new features like DriftPoint Track, according to the engine manufacturer. Yamaha Autopilot can be adjusted with the joystick and includes functions such as course and heading hold, Track Point (NAV along waypoints), and two types of pattern steer that seamlessly integrate with Speed Control and Pattern Shift. But, what does this convenience cost? It will range between $8,000 and $10,000.00 depending on options and what equipment you already have. And, as I mentioned before, it will only work with newer electronic Yamaha engines.
Yamaha Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=5Oju_AjYRL0&feature=emb_logo
See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1789
