Joystick steering options started appearing on recreational vessels in 2005...
This system was originally patented in 1995 in the USA and first appeared on trailer boats when it was adopted by numerous manufacturers of trolling motors. These devices are spun around in their mountings by an electric servo, and being electrically powered, their motors already enjoyed electronic control.
But being able to control outboard motors in a similar way to the pod and jet drives was recognised as a gap in the market, one which Yamaha was first to fill with its Helm Master digital steering system in 2013. This system added joystick steering and directional control for boats with twin outboards. The key breakthrough for this system was controlling each outboard separately, with independent powered hydraulic steering rams and digital throttle and shift controls for each motor.
That means the boat can be moved sideways by angling the engines at 90o to one another and putting one in forward gear and one in reverse. Their joystick control also includes that rotational axis of movement, so the boat can be moved essentially in every possible direction. All of which simplifies manoeuvring around marina berths or getting lined up onto a boat trailer, especially in high winds or strong currents.
Since then, the market has become a bit more crowded with Evinrude adding its idock Intelligent Piloting System, Mercury its JPO (Joystick Piloting for Outboards) and Suzuki the Optimus 360 Joystick control system. The Optimus system is in fact a third-party solution developed by Dometic (formerly known as Seastar), which is compatible with other outboard
brands that offer digital shift and throttle control.
The most recent steering innovation, and the most exciting for the smaller trailer boat customer, has come in the switch from a conventional hydraulic steering (with its helm pump, engine control pistons and supplementary electric hydraulic pumps), to all-electric actuators. These remove the need for any hydraulic rigging and dramatically simplify the installation of the boat’s steering system. Although a conventional wheel can be retained as the main steering control, with a digital engine actuator the wheel becomes a completely digital unit. In two or more engine installations this simplifies the whole installation and improves the responsiveness of the digital steering system.
More excitingly, though, the speed of movement of these digital electric actuators has also enabled sideways manoeuvrability for boats with just one outboard. The Yamaha Helm Master EX – launched in New Zealand last year – provides joystick capabilities for a single-engine vessel. Although it works as expected when moving forward or astern, it excels in close quarters and when trying to fit the boat into a tight space: the engine turns itself and changes gear automatically, moving the boat sideways through the water.
All the other features of digital steering can be added to the Yamaha Helm Master EX system – the EX stands for “Expandable”. The most popular is GPS anchoring, called Fishpoint on this system. This will hold the boat at an exact spot, pointing the same way it was when you pressed the button. So, if you see something interesting on the sounder, press the button and you will stay directly above it.
Of course, an autopilot is another great option, and Yamaha integrates into several major brands of multifunction displays. So, you can set your course and speed, press a button and the boat will drive itself to the spot. The vessel can also be set to automatically slow down upon arriving at the selected location, and then hold itself at that position once you get there.
Although the Helmaster EX is somewhat more expensive than a conventional steering, if you factor in that it eliminates all the hydraulics, negates the need for a bow thruster, can provide the same functionality as a low-speed trolling motor and includes an autopilot, the additional cost on a new boat is modest.
Of course, other manufacturers are hard on Yamaha’s heels. Already Dometic has developed an all-electric actuator, and you can be sure the engineers are busy integrating this into their Optimus system for single outboards. It won’t be too long before technology eliminates the struggle to get your boat onto a trailer or into a berth in strong wind and tides. Watch this space.
Bring it on!