Mercury adds joystick control to V6 outboard engines

Up to this point, Mercury’s Joystick Piloting for Outboards system was only available for its range of inline six-cylinder outboard engines, as well as its new generation of V8 outboard engines.

Mercury Marine Australia has worked with marine steering systems maker SeaStar to provide a factory-backed joystick control system for the 3.4-litre V6 outboard engine for 200hp and 225hp FourStroke outboards with digital throttles, and the 200hp SeaPro fitted with digital throttles.

“With this offering, we are bringing joystick piloting to many more boaters,” Mercury Marine ANZP engine products product manager Justin d’Offay said.

"In the past, only customers with 250hp engines and higher were able to experience the intuitive features of joystick piloting.

“Today, boaters who are looking to repower, or are interested in boat packages outfitted with dual 200hp and 225hp outboards will have access to joystick controls as well,” he said.

Joystick Control for Outboards simplifies the way that boat owners move at low speeds.

At the press of a button, users can control the boat by moving a joystick in the direction they want to travel, including crabbing the boat sideways or spinning on the spot.

The joystick’s software can turn each engine independently, as well as apply thrust and reverse thrust depending on which direction the skipper wants the boat to move.

Joystick Control for Outboards is also a two-speed system, so it can, say, move the boat quickly up to a tight spot on a crowded fuel dock, and then switch over to much finer controls to ease alongside.

Mercury also ties the system in with its autopilot system so, at the press of a button the skipper can hold the boat in position as though it had dropped anchor, drift along a line to fish a reef, or even hold station around a point.

The Joystick Control for Outboards system replaces the default Mercury-rigged steering system – including the electric steering and helm – with one developed by SeaStar.

Mercury said the system was optimised for a “wide range of hulls”.

The system costs around $40,000 to install, but Mercury points out that as well as a new steering system, owners also gain an autopilot. The joystick also means owners will not need to install a bow thruster to help them manoeuvre the boat.

The system is also ideal for anyone considering a repower. Contact your local Mercury Marine service centre for more information.