Yamaha officially launches joystick control for single-engine boats

It now means Yamaha’s Helm Master system can be deployed in Australia on single, dual, triple and even quad engine applications. It will allow boats with single outboard engines to tap into many of the same low-speed engine smarts, such as holding station or completing automated manouvres, as boats with multiple engine installations.

Best of all, it can be retro-fitted to many modern Yamaha outboard engines already hanging off transoms.

Yamaha said expanding Helm Master to include single outboard engine applications gave Australian boat owners “unprecedented control over their craft and access to the most advanced boating and fishing technologies on the market”.

“Our first-generation Helm Master system has been successfully operating in multi-outboard vessels for a number of years now, and with this success has come growing demand from our single outboard boat owners wanting access to similar cutting-edge technology,” Yamaha Marine national sales and marketing manager Grant Biskin said.

“Our customers have been asking for it and our engineers have delivered.”

The “EX” in the name of the new system stands for “expandable”, meaning users can start with a basic installation and plug in more features as the need arises.

Yamaha said the upgrades would be simple, with no complex hydraulics, extra batteries or complex third-party components needed.

The most basic form of Helm Master EX fits a new, upgraded digital electronic control and a Command Link 5 touchscreen to the console.

Owners will also have the choice of a slimline electronic key switch panel with a keyless remote engine start function.

The second level of Helm Master EX adds an all-new plug-and-play digital electric steering system.

“This system takes marine steering to the next level, with extreme smoothness, precision and customisable steering feel,” Yamaha said.

“It uses minimum battery capacity as it only draws power when in use. This all in one, pure electric steering, eliminates the need for hydraulic pumps, valves and hoses, removing weight and allowing a tidy bilge and transom area.”

Stepping up to the third level of Helm Master EX adds Yamaha’s all-new autopilot system.

It includes one-touch controls that simplify navigation, and includes a function called Track Point that allows a skipper to map out a set of waypoints on a compatible touchscreen.

The boat will even slow down and stop when it arrives at the destination.

The fourth and highest level of Helm Master EX includes the joystick controller that allows for fine low-speed adjustment of the outboard engines’ steering, drive and throttle.

The top tier version of Helm Master EX also introduces Yamaha’s SetPoint system. This adds three different modes: FishPoint, DriftPoint and StayPoint.

“FishPoint is the feature fisherman are going to love,” Yamaha said.

“The system uses minimal engine RPM and the all-new electric steering to hold the boat in position, allowing you quickly set the boat and get lines in the water when the sounder is showing action on the bottom.

“DriftPoint is another great feature for the fisherman. The system will keep the bow pointed in a set direction while allowing the boat to naturally drift with the wind or current.

“DriftPoint Track performs the same function while also using some additional engine thrust and steering to drift along a set track of waypoints that have been plotted on a compatible Multifunction Display.

However, single-engine installations won’t be able to access Yamaha’s StayPoint, which works to maintain the boat’s heading and position, due to the inability of the system to crab-walk sideways.

Helm Master EX will be available across all of Yamaha’s digital electronic control outboards from Yamaha’s F150 to the range-topping XTO 425 from later this month.

No indicative pricing for the new Helm Master EX system was announced.