Dockmate cures the throttle kick blues with Softdocking
Dockmate says it has fixed the dreaded throttle kick - the lag between making a move on the throttle and the vessel reactingWireless remote control boat systems maker Dockmate reckons it has found the solution to one of the big boat owner’s biggest low-speed challenges – throttle kick.
The Belgian company announced this week that it had developed Softdocking, which it claims can provide easy and stress-free docking regardless of the size or type of the boat, the power output and the number of engines it uses.
Its solution? Future systems will give the skipper an extra button to push on the remote control that gives the engines a brief squirt of extra revs to get the boat moving almost as soon as the throttle command is given.
“One thing that every boater understands is docking is made more complex by the delay between engaging the throttle and the moment the boat begins to move,” Dockmate said.
“This is one of the biggest differences between driving cars and driving boats, so much so that beginner, and even some advanced, boating safety courses have sections entirely dedicated to safe docking techniques to help boaters understand and feel comfortable.
“Now, Dockmate has solved this problem for good. With its newly-patented technology, the Dockmate remote control docking system now has the ability to provide a measured and fully-customisable engine response,” it said.
“This consistent intermediate throttle response eliminates the ‘kick’ that boaters dread during close-quarter maneuvers.”
Push or tap functionality
Dockmate has tweaked its controllers so that a full push of the button will engage the throttle for standard control, but a quick tap of the remote’s directional switch or movement of the joystick can initiate a pre-programmed, customisable fraction-of-a-second burst of the propellor.
Best of all, the new system is fully backwards-compatible with existing Dockmate systems – although for a fee.
Dockmate is available in Australia via Docherty Marine.
Dockmate announced late last year that its system was now compatible with Twin Disc CANbus throttle and gearshift controls.
“Similar in design to the analogue EC300 controls, the newly released CANbus controls operate via digital communication between engine and helm controls,” it said.
Dockmate said it had also added proportional throttle control to its Twist Joystick remote.
Related content:
Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
