Axius Joystick Aftermarket

D

dmarsh70

New Member
Jun 3, 2011
20
Jacksonville, FL
Boat Info
2004 Sea Ray 260 Sundancer
Engines
Merc 5.7
HI Guys - been away for awhile from boating. Had a lot of personal issues, so I sold my beloved 260 Sundancer. I am ready to get back in the game and I am looking at a 310 SUndancer. I had a bowthruster installed on my 260 and I loved it. I am learning this week that they have the Axius Joystick. I see it is available on some 310's for sale but some its not.

Is that something that can be retrofitted on a used 310? If so, any ballpark on cost - or is it better to just to bow thrusters - which is my next question - can you put a stern thruster on a 310??

I searched extensively and can't quite find the answers I am looking for... Thanks
David
 
From my research it's an approximate 30k upgrade new and pretty temperamental ; lots of electric complex control systems. I would suggest buying a boat that had it, ensuring all the bugs are worked out (i.e., firmware etc). All that said it's pretty amazing when it works; YouTube it. There is a vid of a 6 yr old docking a 330 like it was nothing.
 
dmarsh70, it's not something that I would retrofit! If you can find a boat with it and the software has been upgraded it's a pleasure to have. You dock with a Joystick no need for thrusters, like Scott said it was a 30K upgrade on a new boat. Only available with outdrives obviously!!
 
Hi guys. Well that solves that. Thanks much. Ill look at one that has in already installed. Is there a software version should i look for? David
 
As to your bow and stern thruster question, they do make both and some are even controlled from the same remote at the helm. I've not had the opportunity to try them but some people that I know love theirs.

Sent from my RM-927_nam_vzw_100 using Tapatalk
 
Big: Thanks for the input. I loved my B/Thruster. I had a 260 and they said they couldn't get a stern thruster on there. I am assuming with a 310 or up they can.
 
No way would I ever consider installing axius after market. Way too expensive and risky. MUCH better off buying it already installed. The other option is to get a 310 with normal drives and bow thruster. Decide on the stern thruster later. I have a dock mate with the Axius and when it works, it is amazing.period. Point it against the current and port to wind, it stays there in skyhook mode. I put it through its paces in a very strong current and wind --put the boat in a position that would be almost impossible to keep steady with normal transmissions - sky hook did it (although the engines revved up and down to almost 3K to accomplish the feat).

He has had many problems with it and has failed him on numerous occasions. Software upgrades, drives not lined-up properly, failed joystick, blown relays, all kinds of problems that he has had. Although it now seems stable, 4 years later.
 
HI GerryB:

I don't like all the negative reviews I am hearing about it. It does seem to be problematic. Or at least, it was. When I had my 260 w/ thruster - it ran flawlessly. Well once or twice I drained out the battery - but that was MY fault :) - but I had the independent battery and she ran like a champ.

I am still a very novice boat captain. Well Captain is not the right word yet for me. I am seriously considering the Chapman 5 day class down in St. Lucie - but that's really another topic. I bring it up because of my new boating skills I need to still learn how to captain that boat without a joystick. I love the concept but if I find one with the joystick (and I probably will to be honest because I just really like it) I don't want to rely on it and one day it quits working and I am in a strong current trying to dock.

I practiced docking in my 260 quite a bit and sometimes I could really do a good job getting it in - nose first. Backing up I really was never successful - so I went with the bow-thruster as I really wanted boating to be fun, and not stressful - hence the emphasis on the Axius.

Enough rambling for now. Morning everyone!
David
 
Mechanically it works well, what seemed to be the problem was Merc. sent it out before the software was proven. They came out with a "White Glove Service" around 2008 1/2 to fix software issues, replace GPS antennas and coupons for $150. off the cost of upgraded 31 series batteries. One other problem was that if you didn't know about the service... it didn't happen! Marine Max was not forthcoming in my case and I had to ask for it to be done. Once I had the service and upgrades we had no failures. I wish the same could be said for the "Waterpump Issues"!!
 
Was your 260 a single? Maybe that's why they couldn't put a stern thruster on it? The 310 will be twins and it should be an easy upgrade to add the stern thruster. I'd personally look for a boat that already had the bow thruster since that's a much bigger job.
 
Bugsy. As i search i will absolutely looking for maintenance records showing the software upgrades to the Axius..

Copb. Yes my 260 was a single. And i agree. I really dont want to do the install all over again. I want a 2 motors as i plan on doing Bahamas one day. Seem to have plenty 310 up to 340s that have either option. Looks like fuel prices are choking people. Yachtworld has 110 pages of sundancers for sale. But i honestly do not know if its accurate as i would have to think many of the boats have been sold. But who kmows..
 
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