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as anchoring, retrieving a man overboard, collecting crab traps or helping an angler land a pelagic prize. “We purposefully dialed back the rpm to a maximum of 30 percent of the engine’s capacity to keep boaters from using it for other means.” ¶ Such authority settings can sometimes be custom-configured, however, Berton offers a cautionary note: “When you start going 5 knots [in a marina], your chances of accidents are high. The majority of the time, you’re going less than 5 knots.” ¶ As with any crucial system, these require yacht owners to set up a sea trial to familiarize themselves and to identify vessel-specific customizations. For example, Sheehan says, Dockmate installers can dial down the bow thruster rpm to match the vessel’s stern thruster or modify the throttle governor. ¶ Overall, yacht owners can expect far less stressful docking and easier close-quarters maneuvering—and, potentially, the ability to do short- or singlehanded cruising. ¶ “People can run their boat, and they can tie it up by themselves,” Berton says. “This allows them to enjoy boating without grief, and it can be a marriage saver.”