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TESTED: Yacht Controller

The most impressive aspect of the new wireless Yacht Controller is the feeling of power you have when using it. I'm standing in the port corner on the aft deck of a 70-foot yacht, maneuvering it toward the dock with a remote control about the size of my cell phone (3" 1.5" x 6"). Sure, you've heard of remote controls that allow a helmsman to leave the wheel, but this one is wireless. I can go anywhere on the boat and still be in full control. I could actually control the boat from the dock, but that would he not only dangerous, but probably illegal as well. Having brought the aft corner of the boat to the dock using the small switches that control the gears and thrusters, I stroll forward while bringing the bow in. When the boat is parallel to the dock, I back it up with the remote, which is powered by just two AAA batteries, to position it for tying up. I could never so precisely position the boat from the helm - especially if I were tying up on the opposite side from an off center station. I lift the lines off the pilings and cleat the boat fast, still in full control. On my first try I've docked and tied up a 70-footer with help from no one. Never done that before.

There are plenty of failsafes built in. The system must be activated from the helm station and the remote switched on. A beep indicates that the receiver is on but is getting no signal. A beep on the remote sounds if the signal is lost, which automatically shifts the boat into neutral. You should always first test the remote before leaving the helm. A unique code prevents interference. The remote shuts off and must be reactivated after four minutes without use. The 12- or 24-volt receiver, which measures a compact 3" x 5.3" x 1.7" and is wired into the electronic controls at the helm (the Yacht Controller does not work with mechanical controls), uses solidstate, computer microchip technology.

Tying to a mooring and anchoring can also be performed single-handedly with this breakthrough remote control. It can be interfaced with the electronic controls on boats of any size, with or without bow or sternthrusters. Maneuvering during a battle with a hooked fish-or when tagging and releasing a fish-are other times when this remote control can be so useful that it's like having an extra hand aboard.
Yacht Controllers come in various configurations, from a basic system with two functions (engine gears only) up to a 12-function model (engine gears, engine on/off, bowthruster, sternthruster, sternthruster height, two anchor winches and two warping winches). In between these configurations are three-, four- and five-function controls.

Motor Boating (March, 2004)