Yacht Controller

I had a chance to run a Fairline 52 Targa equipped with a device like the Yacht Controller and loved it. It definitely makes docking and anchoring safer by allowing the captain better sightlines, but it is not at all a substitute for docking or anchoring skills. With the Yacht Controller you still have to account for wind, current, inertia, etc - just as on an "analog" boat, but do it from a better and safer position.

If there is a technology that has potential for "dumbing down" the boaters, it is the joystick controls like IPS or Zeus which remove the thinking behind what you need to do to move the boat in whatever direction it needs to go.

I think Yacht Controller is a good safety tool for those with bigger (50+) boats who ofter run short-handed or single handed. I assume that their technology and quality of manufacture is robust enough to be reliable in marine environment.
 
Sea Gull said:
Oh boy. Where do I start? First of all, I have a Yacht Controller installed on my 58 DB. I use it every time I am on the boat and I cannot imagine living without it. Can I handle the boat without it? Sure. I have been boating for more than 40 years and hold a USCG Masters license. I have taught sailing and boat handling since I was 18. I know how to handle a boat. As with most other pieces of equipment on the boat, the Yacht Controller is not necessary, but surely is a welcome tool. As such, it falls in a category with the windlass, chart plotter with electronic charts, AIS, and automatic fog horn, all items I could easily live without, but choose not to.


At 58 feet, my boat is still easy to handle with two people, and even OK for single handed operation in the right sea conditions. The single station helm is centerline on the fly bridge which gives wonderful un-obstructed views fore and aft while underway. But engine controls are mounted to starboard of the helm which does not give the helmsman the ability to see the port side of the boat. Visibility to starboard is better, I can see the side of the boat, but I have to walk away from the shifters to see crew on the starboard side deck. This may seem like a design flaw to some, but is actually the norm as vessel size increases. Larger vessels, fishing boats and even some sailboats are equipped with second or third helm stations (or partial control stations) to compensate for, or enhance, visibility. Larger still and you begin to see wing stations both port and starboard and/or control stations as the aft end of the upper deck.

When we bought Sea Gull, we looked at a lot of options for a second helm station. The Yacht Controller seemed to be the most elegant, versatile system on the market. We don’t have to go into the electronic versus mechanical argument since Sea Gull already had electronic primary controls. The only leap of faith was the wireless function (more on that later). We also looked at wired controls, both fixed position and with a long cord, but the wireless seemed more appropriate for us.

It’s usually just two of us operating the boat. We often have guests, but it is rare that we have people who can help handle the boat. The first place the Yacht Controller is helpful is when anchoring. I bring the boat to the position where I want to anchor and stop. I then walk to the bow and begin to lower the anchor. With the Yacht Controller in hand, I can bump the engines into reverse as the anchor chain pays out. Once the anchor is down and the right amount of scope is out, I can give the boat a good burst of reverse thrust to set the anchor. When it’s time to weigh anchor, the process is reversed. I can be at the bow with a foot on the windlass control, a hand on the Yacht Controller and the wash-down hose in the other hand. I bump the boat forward and bring up the anchor washing with fresh water as I go. Once the anchor is aboard, I can use the Yacht Controller to hold the boat in position while I get back to the bridge.

Docking is the place where the Yacht Controller really shines. At the very least it allows me to see the port side of the boat as we approach a dock. I am also free to move to the front of the fly bridge, to get a clear view below the bow or even to descend to the cockpit. Having this freedom of movement allows me to both control the boat and handle dock lines, essential for single-handed or even short-handed operation.

Remember, that with a boat of this size, close is not good enough. With even a little wind or current it is almost impossible to move the boat by manual brute force. You cannot haul the boat fore or aft along the dock or pull the bow or stern line to move the boat closer to the dock. All movement is done with engines (and bow thruster) in a slow, purposeful way. The Yacht Controller allows me to be in total control.

OK, so the one negative we found was last summer while cruising in the Chesapeake Bay. On two occasions the radio link between the Yacht Controller and its base station crapped out. This happened in Rock Hall, MD and in Annapolis at the worst possible moments – while backing into the dock. In both cases it took only seconds to take command back at the main controls and avoid any mishap. In talking with a technician at the company, these are areas known to have radio interference on the frequencies that the Yacht Controller uses. I wish I had known that before, but now I know. By the way, the tech service guy gave me his cell phone number in case I ever had another problem!

One final note: This is not a toy. People kid me all the time that I could just sit on the dock and send the boat out for a cruise. It sounds great, but there are inherent dangers too. When I am at the starboard quarter snubbing a spring line, I cannot see the port bow. When I am on the bow handling the anchor I cannot always see what is directly behind me. To compensate, we have a lookout on deck or on the bridge who keeps track of these blind spots. Like all of the other tools aboard, we use the Yacht Controller judiciously every day.
Click to expand...
 
Oh boy. Where do I start? First of all, I have a Yacht Controller installed on my 58 DB. I use it every time I am on the boat and I cannot imagine living without it. Can I handle the boat without it? Sure. I have been boating for more than 40 years and hold a USCG Masters license. I have taught sailing and boat handling since I was 18. I know how to handle a boat. As with most other pieces of equipment on the boat, the Yacht Controller is not necessary, but surely is a welcome tool. As such, it falls in a category with the windlass, chart plotter with electronic charts, AIS, and automatic fog horn, all items I could easily live without, but choose not to.


At 58 feet, my boat is still easy to handle with two people, and even OK for single handed operation in the right sea conditions. The single station helm is centerline on the fly bridge which gives wonderful un-obstructed views fore and aft while underway. But engine controls are mounted to starboard of the helm which does not give the helmsman the ability to see the port side of the boat. Visibility to starboard is better, I can see the side of the boat, but I have to walk away from the shifters to see crew on the starboard side deck. This may seem like a design flaw to some, but is actually the norm as vessel size increases. Larger vessels, fishing boats and even some sailboats are equipped with second or third helm stations (or partial control stations) to compensate for, or enhance, visibility. Larger still and you begin to see wing stations both port and starboard and/or control stations as the aft end of the upper deck.

When we bought Sea Gull, we looked at a lot of options for a second helm station. The Yacht Controller seemed to be the most elegant, versatile system on the market. We don’t have to go into the electronic versus mechanical argument since Sea Gull already had electronic primary controls. The only leap of faith was the wireless function (more on that later). We also looked at wired controls, both fixed position and with a long cord, but the wireless seemed more appropriate for us.

It’s usually just two of us operating the boat. We often have guests, but it is rare that we have people who can help handle the boat. The first place the Yacht Controller is helpful is when anchoring. I bring the boat to the position where I want to anchor and stop. I then walk to the bow and begin to lower the anchor. With the Yacht Controller in hand, I can bump the engines into reverse as the anchor chain pays out. Once the anchor is down and the right amount of scope is out, I can give the boat a good burst of reverse thrust to set the anchor. When it’s time to weigh anchor, the process is reversed. I can be at the bow with a foot on the windlass control, a hand on the Yacht Controller and the wash-down hose in the other hand. I bump the boat forward and bring up the anchor washing with fresh water as I go. Once the anchor is aboard, I can use the Yacht Controller to hold the boat in position while I get back to the bridge.

Docking is the place where the Yacht Controller really shines. At the very least it allows me to see the port side of the boat as we approach a dock. I am also free to move to the front of the fly bridge, to get a clear view below the bow or even to descend to the cockpit. Having this freedom of movement allows me to both control the boat and handle dock lines, essential for single-handed or even short-handed operation.

Remember, that with a boat of this size, close is not good enough. With even a little wind or current it is almost impossible to move the boat by manual brute force. You cannot haul the boat fore or aft along the dock or pull the bow or stern line to move the boat closer to the dock. All movement is done with engines (and bow thruster) in a slow, purposeful way. The Yacht Controller allows me to be in total control.

OK, so the one negative we found was last summer while cruising in the Chesapeake Bay. On two occasions the radio link between the Yacht Controller and its base station crapped out. This happened in Rock Hall, MD and in Annapolis at the worst possible moments – while backing into the dock. In both cases it took only seconds to take command back at the main controls and avoid any mishap. In talking with a technician at the company, these are areas known to have radio interference on the frequencies that the Yacht Controller uses. I wish I had known that before, but now I know. By the way, the tech service guy gave me his cell phone number in case I ever had another problem!

One final note: This is not a toy. People kid me all the time that I could just sit on the dock and send the boat out for a cruise. It sounds great, but there are inherent dangers too. When I am at the starboard quarter snubbing a spring line, I cannot see the port bow. When I am on the bow handling the anchor I cannot always see what is directly behind me. To compensate, we have a lookout on deck or on the bridge who keeps track of these blind spots. Like all of the other tools aboard, we use the Yacht Controller judiciously every day.

I really appreciate your notes on the Yacht Controller -- our 58 has a bow thruster only -- and we had a neighbor with Bow and Stern Thrusters on his 58
so in an effort to make it easier to run the boat by myself I planned to add the Stern thruster but will now add the Yacht Controller too - sounds like it is a great addition -
 
I really appreciate your notes on the Yacht Controller -- our 58 has a bow thruster only -- and we had a neighbor with Bow and Stern Thrusters on his 58
so in an effort to make it easier to run the boat by myself I planned to add the Stern thruster but will now add the Yacht Controller too - sounds like it is a great addition -
 
Our boat has the yacht controller and although your helm is set different than ours I can honestly say I never use it I played with it and it sits in the glovebox I have used it 2X when I was single handed and only used it to adjust dock lines while the boat was already tied up.
I honestly don’t see the need on a 52’ as the sight lines are fine for me I face astern and look down the stairs to the port side platform 1/4 if and she’s in.
Although we didn’t install it if asked what I’d spend $10,000 on I’d find something else just not needed on our boat
Ps we have bow and stern thrusters maybe that’s the advantage
 
Personally, I love technology and find this to be pretty cool. I know this has been said in some of the above threads in a different manner but I will try to give a real life scenario. I spent my career as an Airline Pilot. I started out flying DC-3's and by the time I retired, I was flying what was termed the "NG" (next generation) Jet. Automation became so incredible that it was possible to program the entire flight to include the runway of departure, filed flight route including altitude and selected speed, arrival route and approach to the anticipated arrival runway, all before even starting the engines. Once in the air, the autopilot was engaged and the flying pilot never had to touch the airplane again until it was time to turn off of the runway after landing. For me, the fun was hand flying the airplane up to at least 18,000 ' where the jet routes started before engaging the autopilot and conversely, leaving 18000' on the decent I kicked off the autopilot and hand flew the airplane to landing. It used to irk the crap out of me to watch a co-pilot completely depend upon the automation as they lost their "seat of the pants" flying skills. This was even more evident during simulator check-rides where I watched co-pilot flying skills decline because they relied on automation. Keeping my flying skills was always important to me and I enjoyed it. With the NG Jet, my flying skills were still sharp but my typing skills increased because of inputting the computer from the Flight Management System (FMS). It's an individual choice. If you like it, go for it.
 
When we were looking at our boat I talked to other owners of the same boat. Their advice was if the boat was not equipped with cockpit controls, get a yacht controller. The visibility from the helm is not good. To see the swim platform you have to move several steps to the back of the flybridge.

I don't understand 45Gunner's post above that draws a comparison about losing flight skills. If anything using a yacht controller will sharpen handling skills. Part of close quarter maneuvering is the situational awareness of what you see translated to instinctive movements on the controls. When you are walking around with a handheld remote control, there is the added dimension of you may be facing any direction at any time.

The Yacht controller I have provides paddle switches for each of the transmissions and paddle switches for thrusters. There is no automation, or joy stick. You have to know when you want to put Starboard in reverse and port in neutral.

All it provides is a cordless remote control for moving your transmissions and thrusters.

Docking I use it probably 60-70% of the time. If the situation is so wide open that watching the stern is not required, I may not pick it up. Even in the situation that I docked without it on, I turn it on and have it with me as I move downstairs to the cockpit level. Moving our boat fore or aft by pulling on the lines, in the slip or against the side tie is not an easy task, especially with any wind or current. The YC allows me to stand on the side of the boat, use the engines to position the boat as needed.

If I am backing in a slip or coming out of a slip and I need to see when the swim platform is clearing a piling it allows me to stand towards the back of the boat.

The downside is the version I have does not allow for applying throttles to an engine. You get in and out of gear, but not in gear and throttle movement. There are situations where being in gear is not enough, some throttle is needed. I understand the newer version brings throttles to the control.

Nearly all the time it is my wife and I on the boat. We visit new marinas different tie up requirements on a regular basis. There are not always dockhands, lot of times its just the two of us.

This is huge for catching lines on mooring balls.

Not every boat needs this. I would not have invested in Yacht controller for our 47DB when we owned it. On this boat, it was a good investment for us.

If you are not proficient docking the boat without YC, it will not help you.

If the boat you are on does not allow you to establish reference points for visual guidance, it will let you move to where you can see while keeping the boat under control.
 
Football Fan makes a good point that I failed to make. Situational awareness is paramount. And if you cannot dock manually, a remote device will not help. Thanks for the clarification. If there are "blind spots", this device could be a tremendous help...but again the basic skill must exist.
 
Trinity said:
I really appreciate your notes on the Yacht Controller -- our 58 has a bow thruster only -- and we had a neighbor with Bow and Stern Thrusters on his 58
so in an effort to make it easier to run the boat by myself I planned to add the Stern thruster but will now add the Yacht Controller too - sounds like it is a great addition -
Click to expand...
I have the same situation - bow thruster only, and dockmate's 58 has bow and stern. When he had a galvanized anchor on his previous '52, I always gave him a ribbing when we rafted up. Now when we raft up, he gives me a ribbing about not having a stern thruster! Turnabout fair play and all that!! LOL! It's on my list as well...
 
carterchapman said:
I have the same situation - bow thruster only, and dockmate's 58 has bow and stern. When he had a galvanized anchor on his previous '52, I always gave him a ribbing when we rafted up. Now when we raft up, he gives me a ribbing about not having a stern thruster! Turnabout fair play and all that!! LOL! It's on my list as well...
Click to expand...

i was told today that i should install the YC and try it before i installed the stern thruster and that i may decide i did not need a stern thruster after using the YC --
 
Trinity said:
i was told today that i should install the YC and try it before i installed the stern thruster and that i may decide i did not need a stern thruster after using the YC --
Click to expand...
I would agree with that - although I have not been in real high wind/high current situations. I try not to get in to those situations by studying tide tables and wind forecasts.
 
Trinity said:
i was told today that i should install the YC and try it before i installed the stern thruster and that i may decide i did not need a stern thruster after using the YC --
Click to expand...

Hmmmmm, not sure I agree. Not to be disagreeable, but will share my perspective.

Two different things. Really is boat specific. On our 47DB, the stern thruster was very important. On current boat, stern thruster is not important. Actually ours has a current issue with solenoids, not working. I am replacing because at some point we will sell the boat and I am a freak about everything well maintained and in working order. My stern thruster currently is out of order and I do not miss it.

Once again, boat specific, on our current boat the props are so big, with so much torque it is easier to move the stern with the transmissions than the stern thruster.

On the 47DB, the props were not big enough or wide enough apart to move the boat as easy.

Having a Yacht controller does not change the need, or no need, for the stern thruster.

So back to the post from @Trinity, can you walk the boat sideways with transmissions and bow thruster - total sideways move. If the answer is no, then a stern thruster will be beneficial. If the answer is yes, you do not need a stern thruster.

Yacht controller is only about wireless remote control of the transmissions and thrusters. It will not change the basic capability of the transmissions and thrusters.

It took me a while to learn this. The first year we had this boat, went into a stern in slip a small number of times. Most of the time I was doing side ties.

During that first year, when I did go stern in, I was thinking stern thruster. Was not the prettiest of situations. Didn't hit anything, but might take me a couple of tries. I had held onto the way I would put the 47db in a stern in situation.

Second year I learned what the props would do - now using the transmissions is much better than the stern thruster.

Hope this makes sense. Not saying whether you need stern thruster or not. I don't know on your model of boat.

Yacht controller is 10K. Not sure what the pricing of a stern thruster is, but installing YC to test whether you need a stern thruster is an expensive route.
 
FootballFan said:
Hmmmmm, not sure I agree. Not to be disagreeable, but will share my perspective.

Two different things. Really is boat specific. On our 47DB, the stern thruster was very important. On current boat, stern thruster is not important. Actually ours has a current issue with solenoids, not working. I am replacing because at some point we will sell the boat and I am a freak about everything well maintained and in working order. My stern thruster currently is out of order and I do not miss it.

Once again, boat specific, on our current boat the props are so big, with so much torque it is easier to move the stern with the transmissions than the stern thruster.

On the 47DB, the props were not big enough or wide enough apart to move the boat as easy.

Having a Yacht controller does not change the need, or no need, for the stern thruster.

So back to the post from @Trinity, can you walk the boat sideways with transmissions and bow thruster - total sideways move. If the answer is no, then a stern thruster will be beneficial. If the answer is yes, you do not need a stern thruster.

Yacht controller is only about wireless remote control of the transmissions and thrusters. It will not change the basic capability of the transmissions and thrusters.

It took me a while to learn this. The first year we had this boat, went into a stern in slip a small number of times. Most of the time I was doing side ties.

During that first year, when I did go stern in, I was thinking stern thruster. Was not the prettiest of situations. Didn't hit anything, but might take me a couple of tries. I had held onto the way I would put the 47db in a stern in situation.

Second year I learned what the props would do - now using the transmissions is much better than the stern thruster.

Hope this makes sense. Not saying whether you need stern thruster or not. I don't know on your model of boat.

Yacht controller is 10K. Not sure what the pricing of a stern thruster is, but installing YC to test whether you need a stern thruster is an expensive route.
Click to expand...

Did you add the stern thruster to your 47DB or was it a factory install? Considering putting one on mine and wondering what the cost would be.
 
FootballFan said:
So back to the post from @Trinity, can you walk the boat sideways with transmissions and bow thruster - total sideways move. If the answer is no, then a stern thruster will be beneficial. If the answer is yes, you do not need a stern thruster.
Click to expand...

That's great advice Mark. I can do that without a stern thruster as you are obviously doing with yours.

with my cockpit fly (which I wouldn't be without), I cannot see to back in a slip from the helm. So a YC is must for me to operate.

As Sea Gull says, "it may be called a Yacht Controller, but the wives call it a marriage saver"!! My YC and our wireless headsets make it easy for Susan and I to handle Reward.
 
Many of you have seen my post on the MY Copilot that I installed on the 44. I built it instead of investing the 12 Grand in the Yacht Controller. I use mine quite a bit, usually upon the last fifty or so feet on approach to the dock or mooring. My wife is not comfortable with handling lines and when we have guests aboard that are not trained I find it safer for me to single hand the boat with my remote rather than worry about people trying to "help". I've installed a few on similar boats and those owners love the simplicity of the operation. It is not absolutely with out risk, but used carefully it is a great alternative for those that don't have a trained and enthusiastic crew to help land a larger vessel. I have decided not to actually actively market the system rather just accommodate those that seek out the alternative.
Using the remote is actually at times more difficult than operating the boat from the helm so its not meant as a short cut to learning handling skills at all. It is nice to be able to hop off the deck with a line in hand, cleat off the stern and hold the boat hard against the dock with the opposite screw or bow thruster with the hand held transmitter and make fast the forward line single handed. I'm sure it has gone along way to ensuring a peaceful ends to a days voyage. I cringe when I hear skippers shouting at anxious spouses directing them to 'cleat off there, not there'!
For what its worth I think having multiple resources at our disposal is a good thing.
Carpe Diem
 
The original purchaser must have deleted the line item. There are some where that occurred.
 
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