Aquila Yachts and Mercury Marine said they are collaborating to offer a joystick piloting system for a power catamaran with engines 9-1/2 feet apart.
By angling the transoms, optimizing props and taking advantage of new calibration strategies, the companies were able to install a joystick piloting system aboard the Aquila 36.
“Joystick Piloting for Outboards has been a very popular feature for dual, triple and quad applications,” Mercury Marine category director Rob Hackbarth said in a statement.
“Now working with Aquila, we were given the opportunity to install joystick piloting on a power catamaran. This will allow the boater to feel the power of the Verado engines, but to also enjoy the ease of boating with joystick piloting.”
The companies said advanced features that typically required multiple user interfaces are all in one location and are simplified.
Since its introduction almost 10 years ago, Mercury’s engineering team has made a series of enhancements to the Joystick Piloting Skyhook System, including three features: Heading Adjust, BowHook and DriftHook.
Mercury’s SkyHook technology is now integrated onto the same technology suite as the joystick.
“Here at Aquila we are very excited to have worked with Mercury in developing a ground-breaking joystick solution aboard the Aquila 36,” Aquila brand manager Harry Mountain said. “Aquila is known for its innovation, quality and design, and this is no different.”
