Xenta Joystick or Yachtcontoller JSC or Cummins system

[driver0606]

I am thinking about installing a joystick on my 2006 shaft driven Azimut 43 Flybridge with bowthruster and read the comments on a similar posting back in 2012 with interest. I enjoy maneovring the boat, especially without the bowthruster and using minimum power if possible. However, I am an old(ish) git and there are times when the aging brain has difficulty in keeping up with the speed of events, especially if the wind is gusting strong, going into a tight mooring. Although a wireless controller would be useful on the odd occasion when single handed, I prefer to be at the helm station in case the controller or wireless gizmo goes tits up. I would certainly try to keep my hand in by using the joystick as little as possible, promise.

Any comments from those with up to date experience of these systems, especially on shafts with bowthruster only, would be most appreciated.

 

[KINGFISHER 9]

I've got Volvo EVC with joystick ... going astern into my pontoon berth the other day the wretched thing completely lost its wits! Two main throttle levers in neutral, switched on the joystick, went astern, gave the joystick a nudge ahead to stop the boat and it revved it astern and stuck me platform first into the pontoon with a hefty thump - luckily I've got big fixed fenders on the pontoon for just such an occasion. The joystick wouldn't switch off with its customary beep so I tried using the main throttle levers which should be disconnected when using the joystick and we shot off across the marina at a right old rate. Recovering from my panic I switched the engines off and restarted them - this turned the joystick off and reset it but rather than use it again I lined up and reversed in without it which is easy enough but still left the worry about the throttles working when the joystick is switched on. I got the Volvo man round and he reckoned it might be actuators so lifted the boat and he decided it was sticking cables from the actuators to the drive legs - at least I think that's what he said, he's French! Whatever the whole deal cost me €1000 to Volvo and €350 odd for lift and launch. Given that I only use the thing because the boat came with it, these days I manage without! Given a choice and buying a new boat I'd go for bow and stern thrusters although I'm sure the joystick system is OK really, just needs regular maintenance with the cables to the legs ... they said!

 

[Bandit]

I assume that to fit joystick that you would at a minimum need two new gearboxes, all the electronics and reworking of your rudders to get them to work independently and with servo motors to control them, I assume that this will be a very expensive modification if it can be done? Cost say £25K ?

I have a 48ft semi displacement with a bow thruster and a stern thruster.

I dont use the stern thruster much except when I am reversing in to a finger when it is exceptionally usefull and makes all the difference especially in windy conditions.

I cant think of a manoeuvre that a Joystick can do that i cant with my setup, except that mine uses less grunt and is more gentle.

Assuming there is not a practical reason why you cant fit a stern thruster, I would fit one and see how you get on, say about £5k.

Drop me a PM with your Mob no if you want to discuss, I work in trade and would be happy to discuss.

 

[rubberduck]

Try Hydronautica, you don't have to have the remote but it is, as the blurb says, pretty foolproof, never lost connection for us in several years. osmotech fitted ours, came from south coast to us on east coast.

 

[driver0606]

Thanks for the replies. I am told a joystick should do the job even with just shafts and bowthruster. Certainly I can walk the boat sideways myself if I really concentrate. A sternthruster would be another thing to keep ahead of, so I am leaning towards the Cummins system, after all, I am delighted with their engines! I could always add a stern thruster later and let the joystick do all the concentrating! Does anybody have experience of the Cummins system?

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

I cant think of a manoeuvre that a Joystick can do that i cant with my setup, except that mine uses less grunt and is more gentle.

Agreed. Spend the money on upgrading to a more powerful bowthruster such that it can deal with virtually any situation and fit a sternthruster and I wouldnt see any need for a joystick control. As for the OP being an oldish git who sometimes gets into a muddle, I'm the same which is why I've taught myself only to use one control, either thruster or throttle, at any one time

 

[ScottF]

Thanks for the replies. I am told a joystick should do the job even with just shafts and bowthruster. Certainly I can walk the boat sideways myself if I really concentrate. A sternthruster would be another thing to keep ahead of, so I am leaning towards the Cummins system, after all, I am delighted with their engines! I could always add a stern thruster later and let the joystick do all the concentrating! Does anybody have experience of the Cummins system?

I have the Cummins system with pod drives and a bow thruster. It works well. Also has a skyhook mode that holds your boat in place using GPS. The newer system has the even better bowhook mode that keeps your bow in place but allows the boat to pivot with the wind/current.