A new Joystick from Mercury for inboard wakeboats

Following our test and trials of the new Sea Ray SLX-W 230, Mercury Marine has now officially launched Joystick Piloting for Inboards on single-engine tow-sport boats.

The purpose-Built Sea Ray tow-sports boat, which you can read about in our
Sea Ray SLX-W 230 exclusive review,
was powered by a 370hp 6.2L MerCruiser with V-Drive especially for wake surfing and wake boarding.

In reverse, say when docking, this single screw shaft boat typically produces what’s known as prop walk which shunts the stern to one side.

The new joystick technology allows the engine to work with bow and stern thrusters to provide an easy and direct docking solution. We tested this on the SLX-W 230 and it did exactly as intended. Bravo!

The system is designed to work with the tow sports variants of Mercury’s new range of purpose-built marine inboard and sterndrive engines.

You can see Joystick Piloting for Inboards in action on the Sea Ray SLX-W 230 and hear some big wraps below...

POWER TURNS
For boatbuilders and boat dealers alike, the new Joystick Piloting for Inboards brings the boat package in line with the latest vessel control technology, ultimately providing a better, more confident boating experience.  

Besides docking, skippers can execute snappy ‘power turns’ to quickly spin the boat around to pick up a tow sports rider from the deep.

SMART TOW
Mercury has ALSO updated its Smart Tow to accommodate the lower speeds, typically 10-12mph, required by wake surfers. This feature allows tow sports boaters to choose a preset launch profile and cruise speed, providing a consistent, perfect ride for the wake surfer or wake boarder.

KEY FEATURES
- Mercury’s Joystick Piloting for Inboards system:
>> Single engine inboard joystick: An industry exclusive.
>> Engine compatibility: The JPI system is compatible with petrol or diesel propulsion systems.
>> Thruster Compatibility: The JPI system is compatible with Vetus or Side Power brand thrusters on almost any inboard boat package they choose.

We can vouch for the effectiveness of the new Joystick for Inboard system, though it is quite costly at more than $12,500 on the Sea Ray SLX-W 230. More at www.mercurymarine.com.