Mercury joystick optimized for single-engine outboards
Mercury Marine presents an innovation designed to improve the steering of single-engine outboard boats. By associating its joystick with a bow thruster, the brand facilitates low-speed maneuvers, offering greater precision, particularly in confined spaces or in wind and current conditions.
Improved maneuverability for single-engine boats
Boats with single-engine propulsion are often more complex to maneuver in tight spaces, especially when docking. Mercury's new system combines an intuitive joystick with a variable-speed bow thruster, giving total 360-degree control of the vessel. This solution greatly simplifies lateral movements and alignment corrections, avoiding the jerks often encountered with conventional control. What's more, it eliminates the need for numerous turns of the steering wheel, with all actions performed directly and quickly via joystick control.
Mercury engine compatibility and integration
This joystick is compatible with Mercury Verado and Sea Pro V8, V10 and V12 engines from 250 to 600 hp, featuring electric steering. It works with CAN-based bow thrusters, enabling seamless integration with various partner equipment. This compatibility guarantees a scalable solution for builders and yachtsmen wishing to modernize their units.
Advanced functions for precise control
In addition to basic engine and thruster control, the system supports advanced controls thanks to Mercury's SmartCraft ecosystem. These include the Skyhook, a digital anchor that maintains the boat's position and orientation, and the Bowhook, which stabilizes the boat even in current or windy conditions. The Drifthook stabilizes the boat's heading without any drift constraints. Finally, the SmartCraft Autopilot provides assisted navigation with precise course and trajectory setting.
These tools, previously reserved for multi-engine configurations, offer invaluable assistance to fishermen, yachtsmen and professionals navigating in confined areas.
Availability scheduled for 2025
Mercury Marine plans to offer this new technology to boat builders as well as for retrofit via its network of specialist dealers. Deployment is scheduled for the second quarter of 2025, opening up new prospects for outboard motor users wishing to improve their boating comfort and safety.
