retrofit - joystick control. Anybody done it with a Hatt??

[Seabrooke]

G'day all,

Just wondering if anybody has fitted electronic controls with joystick docking to a Hatt 53.

I know it's not necessary and that conventional twin stick control is great but with the level of available controls around now, combining throttle and thruster control with a remote joystick would be an interesting modification.

If anybody knows of the mod being done, what did it take and what does it cost?

 

[OBXTucker]

$$$
Might as well throw in a Zeus drive while you're at it!

Seriously though, I don't think it would be worth the "investment".

 

[buzzk]

I think Cummins repowered a Hatteras with a Zeus Drive. I can't remember what size it was. I'm quessing 45-53 foot range. They had it on display at the FLIBS. Unless I'm wrong I'm sure someone else will remember and know the details.

 

[Boatsb]

It was a 60 with 4 of them.

http://canadianyachting.ca/index.ph...com-power-boat-review&catid=2:power&Itemid=21

 

[TopHattandTails]

Well, it was sort of a 60. It was a 60 hull, no interior, a flybridge they had sitting around the yard for a much smaller boat, and a t-top from some random center console. It does have the Zues drives in it. Took a ride on it at last years FLIBS and it screams. Awesome machine. There are a couple of kids that have the job of trying to break it. They run it all up and down the East Coast in all kinds of crap and have a computer hooked to it. They work for the R&D group and literally try to screw the motors, pods, and controls up with all sorts of micky mousing. Now that's a job I would like!

 

[rsmith]

It was a 60 with 4 of them.

http://canadianyachting.ca/index.ph...com-power-boat-review&catid=2:power&Itemid=21

I've seen that boat running around lauderdale. Last I saw it was docked at Bahia Mar along the bulkhead with the charter boats.

 

[jim rosenthal]

And if they just wanted a test bed for two sets of engines, they could have called one of us, but NOOOOOOOOOO................................

 

[Seabrooke]

I love the way conversations flow.

I think the only actual response to my question was "$$$" before the thread unravelled and became about Zeus drives and boat testing.

Back to the topic though, I expect that remote control of bow thrusters (and stern thrusters if fitted) would be relatively straight forward.

Is it really THAT difficult to change from cable to electronic control for engine throttles and transmission gear position? Once the electronic control is in place, remote docking control can't be that big a stretch, surely?

Has anybody done it and what was the cost? ....... or...............

Is it just not worth the trouble?

 

[saltshaker]

When I re-powered my 46C I had the option of going with single lever electronic controls. The new gears had the electronic solenoids so I only had to change over the throttles. Cost was around 10K for a single station.

 

[Boatsb]

It's not just the control of the individual devices. It's the programming of the system in the boat. It's not a simple command to translate to a joystick when you have all the different systems.

 

[Seabrooke]

Thanks Gents,

This is the type of input I am looking for.

By the way, does anybody know of a 53 CLassic named "Lucky Me" in Deerfield Beach, FL?

 

[OBXTucker]

Sorry for taking your thread off track. I still think its going to be expensive. $20-25k for electronic cables would be my guess.
And I'm curious about what you plan on using the joystick for? Rudders or throttles?

Mechanicals are pretty bullet proof....

 

[Seabrooke]

Sorry for taking your thread off track. I still think its going to be expensive. $20-25k for electronic cables would be my guess.
And I'm curious about what you plan on using the joystick for? Rudders or throttles?

Mechanicals are pretty bullet proof....

No drama whatsoever Jeff, I have done it many times with forum threads myself. I always find it amusing to see where they end up if nobody sticks their hand up.

I am only thinking of joystick for docking control. Therefore it would be thrusters and fwd/aft gear selection with engines at idle maybe with an over-ride for throttle if needed. No steering input at all.