Alternative to expensive remote control for sport yachts

Carpediem44DB

Well-Known Member
Aug 18, 2015
3,230
Sanfransico Bay area
Boat Info
2000 Carver 506
2006 44 DB Sedan Bridge
Engines
Volvo TAMD 74 P
I installed a remote control system on my 44DB. It controls the transmissions and the thruster only. I bring it into the slip single handed with a small hand held transmitter on a lanyard around my neck standing in the cockpit or swim platform. My bride a crew she is not so I can leave her with her cocktail on the bridge and I can dock the boat without the frustration of having "help". I installed the same one on my buddies 420. It takes about two hours to install and no wires need to be cut. It works on 2.3 Gigahertz so there is no radio interference. I'm thinking of offering DIY kits or even custom installations. The Yacht Controller sells for 8-10 grand plus installation. This system can be installed for less than 20% of the Yacht Controller with the same built in interference and security features. I've operated my boat now for over 100 hrs with this system and have yet to have a problem.
if interested to get more info or are interested in one for your boat PM me.
Happy Yachting​




 
IMG_0271.jpgWhen I get back from Maui I'll shoot a video and post it. If I can figure out how to attach it I will
 
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For those interested in the remote control post, I will be posting a video but I am holding off until my new hand held transmitter is completed. I am having a more intuitive controller built once I thought others may be interested in installation of the system. Should only be a few weeks though.
Rusty
 
One would think that learning how to control your vessel and dock it with the controls first would be better than relying on electronics gadgets that may happen to fail at the most inopportune time.
Get a spasm in your thumbs and your really in trouble now
 
Bt, I might be wrong but I'll assume there is a learning curve with the remote control as there would be with a manual docking. Both have to be learned and both have to be practiced.

I don't think I would want to master the joystick without having first mastered backing manually, but I see the joystick as a great addition to a boat. I have a remote control that controls the bow thruster. I wear it around my neck on a lanyard every time I dock and/or go through the locks. I don't see it as a replacement for knowing how to manually dock the boat, but more as a supplemental tool if I need to tweak the position of the bow.

Carpe, good job. I'll be interested in seeing your video.
 
I dont deny electronics will make boating or any other sport toy easier but proper handling must come first.
There was a case when the DTS first came out and during a test drive the salesperson set his phone right next to the controls and the DTS went to full throttle in reverse.
With any gadget there should be a master over-ride ,just in case.
 
I dont deny electronics will make boating or any other sport toy easier but proper handling must come first.
There was a case when the DTS first came out and during a test drive the salesperson set his phone right next to the controls and the DTS went to full throttle in reverse.
With any gadget there should be a master over-ride ,just in case.

That is why this system only controls the drive units and thrusters. No chance of the boat taking off. I only use it though in scenarios where I'm not likely to need power above low idle. The diesles swinging the 24 inch props though bite pretty well so I find I rarley use throttles when maneuvering in most marinas. Best advise is to master maneuvering your vessel from the helm first. Then and only then add gadgets to your reportior.
 
Hey guys, I’m just about ready to launch a video of the remote operation, finishing touches being made and production tolerances being tightened up on the custom transmitter causing a bit of a delay. Stay tuned
 
So, consider a larger boat.

Fly bridge helm, 10 steps to reach the point of being able to see the corners of the swim platform.

Is a remote control unit a gadget?

Are controls in the cockpit a gadget?

Just wondering what is a gadget versus not...
 
I have been in slips where the pilings are simply too far from the bow to get the lines around and momentary buttons on a remote to bump the boat around would have made life so much simpler. Like any other system or control on the boat, helm or otherwise, always have a plan should a failure happen because failures will happen.
 
Have you guys ever tried to maneuver a single-engined inboard? It can make the best of us look like total fools. Their forward, low speed control is slow to react - at best. Reversing... well, in one direction they "sort of turn", and won't turn in the other direction. Certainly, I'm not saying the system shown in the video should replace becoming competent behind the wheel, though. But it sure is a heck of nice addition! The part where the boat turned around with only about 6 inches to spare... without that system, there would be no way to do that without lines or pivoting on the rubrail.

Seize... I don't have a boat that requires your system, but I'm curious to see more about it!
 
Have you guys ever tried to maneuver a single-engined inboard? It can make the best of us look like total fools. Their forward, low speed control is slow to react - at best. Reversing... well, in one direction they "sort of turn", and won't turn in the other direction. Certainly, I'm not saying the system shown in the video should replace becoming competent behind the wheel, though. But it sure is a heck of nice addition! The part where the boat turned around with only about 6 inches to spare... without that system, there would be no way to do that without lines or pivoting on the rubrail.

Seize... I don't have a boat that requires your system, but I'm curious to see more about it!

Oh yea, I don't discount its effectiveness and if the technology is available why wouldn't they put it in these smaller boats. Anything that makes docking less intimidating is good in my book, it will get more people into boating. Agreed on at least learning to get into a slip without it though just in case it wacks out

can't wait to see the remote control video
 
Where's the video Carp?
To those interested in the remote helm video, I finally have a version to share. I just installed a system in a 52 DB and am about to install one on a Fairline 46 Phantom. Take a look and PM me if you have any interest in putting one in your boat.
 
I like it!
If you are planning to market the product you will need to do a Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA). It's best to have a third party do the FMEA as this is an important component of your liability mitigation. The FMEA will ferret out all of the "if-then" scenarios and help you understand and implement a safe and reliable product as well as develop the product instructions and warnings to best protect you and your company. We have these studies done routinely and have found great value in them, provided they are done correctly, to refine our systems and hardware as well as protect us the operators and expensive one of a kind hardware.
 
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Very useful product, good luck with it.
 

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