MOTORHEAD
Joystick ergonomics and technology continue to evolve.
+ Ilmor’s One-Touch and One-Touch Pro technology
Since its debut in 2016, Ilmor’s One-Drive has earned high marks for its electromagnetically actuated hydraulic clutch transmission, a choice that offers smooth and silent engagement compared to the clunky feel and sound of the traditional cone clutch. That silky-smooth engagement is especially notable in twindrive joystick applications, where drives continually shift in and out of forward, neutral and reverse in response to the operator’s input at the helmmounted joystick. Recently, we had the chance to test the latest iteration of the One-Drive system—in particular the OneTouch joystick and optional One-Touch Pro Anchor Assist and Planing Assist features— on a 2021 Formula 310 bowrider, powered by a pair of 430 hp Ilmor 6.2L GDI-S engines.
Conditions were ideal to test the limits of both joystick control and the Anchor Assist and Planing Assist features. In short, it sucked, thanks to a stiff 20 mph wind barreling down the length of our Indiana test lake, pinning the 310 broadside to the dock. Out in open water, whitecapped waves awaited to further challenge the boat’s ability to hold position. Starting the engines and manually switching on the joystick via an on/off button at the base of the controller, I took hold of the uniquely shaped One-Touch handle (think sports-car sleek, not like a video-game knob) and motioned away from the dock, the drives cycling in and out of gear with nary a sound as I first crabbed into the wind and then reversed, the force of the engines responding progressively to increased input on the control lever. Ultimately, it proved an intuitive process with a minimal learning curve. As expected, the hydraulic clutches really shone, offering up arguably the most precise feel I’ve experienced yet on any twin sterndrive joystick setup while quietly shifting up to two times every second.
One-Touch Pro worked in