Docking Made Easy

[@phillo1818]

There is a superfluity of awesome gadgets. But a portable helm is priceless! Have a great week u2...

[@ElliYacht1]

There are definitely some items that we’ve added that I would forego, if I did it again. The Dockmate isn’t one of them. 😊 Have a great week!

[@CaptnButch]

Have often thought about adding this to my carver 466. You just put me over the top. I think it would be a pretty easy install. Great video!

[@ElliYacht1]

Sorry for being a bad influence 😆 It’s one of our favorite upgrades. I think you’ll really get value from it.

[@itsathaithing]

Your panel looks awesome!

[@johnbecker3159]

I have Carver 466 also. Very difficult to dock. Considering the Dockmate as well.

[@johnbecker3159]

Looking at something like 10k to get installed. A little expensive.

[@supersportster3]

Awesome!! Thanks for this video. Very informative.

[@guthrieaz]

This is awesome. I didn’t know this kind of device existed. I did look into a stern thruster but was really surprised at the cost. I have a 1999, so manual throttles…but I do have a Glendening. Great video! Thanks!!

[@ElliYacht1]

Hi Mark! I should have been a bit more descriptive about the Glendenning solution. I was referring to their manual to electronic shift and throttle product vs their Cablemaster product. We may be saying the same thing but, I just wanted to clarify. Hope FL is treat you well!

[@HopeOfJoe]

In your research, how does this compare to The Yacht Controler?? Thank you 👍

[@ElliYacht1]

My personal analysis was that the architecture of the Yacht Controller, while the original and current leader by volume of installations, was dated. It lacked the flexibility combine propulsion systems to act in harmony (eg, sideways motion combining engine and thruster propulsion). Also, their joystick functionality isn’t available on the remote. In addition, the ability to fine tune the system to the unique combined variables of power, drive train and hull design to each boat via software was a clear differentiation for Dockmate. Last, at the time, Yacht Controller hadn’t successfully released promotional throttle control and modular upgrade capabilities. They may have that now but, I haven’t revisited their current offerings for a year. Hope that helps!

[@steveprice4779]

My boat is a 2001. Doesn't have a bow thruster. I also have Hynautic controls which work great but are not digital. I did add a stern thruster and was able install it all myself. It is wireless and came with a remote too. Helps alot in the locks. Thinking to add a bow thruster and all the digital equipment to hook up to my twin Cummins would cost a ton. Is there a local company in the Puget Sound handling your brand of remote?

[@alyeskamaritime7429]

You installed a wireless stern thruster? Surely it has wires connected to batteries somewhere, no? If not, then what powers that motor?

[@DutchBoatAdventures]

Nice upgrade! I’m curious to know if it has a skyhook option (by another name)?

[@ElliYacht1]

Good question, unfortunately not. That would be sweet

[@pnw_adventures8413]

And the cost ?

[@124612]

Wow. What a great gadget

[@tlteal]

I'm truly missing what you can do with this that you can't do with your clutches and existing bow thruster and even better, with just the clutches as most of us learned with (no fancy bow/stern thrusters). Looks cool like you're playing a video game though.

[@ElliYacht1]

Good question. Really the big difference is I can do everything you outlined but, standing on the bow tending lines in the locks. It also makes single handing the boat in moderate to high winds easier too.

[@tlteal]

@@ElliYacht1 roger that. I guess I'm old school and if you can't handle the boat without the fancy bow/stern thrusters and just the sticks (with wind/with currents), then, more training is required. I just can't justify spending thousands of dollars on a fancy system like this so I can stand on the bow. What happens when you're on the bow , you have high winds and the system fails?

[@ElliYacht1]

@@tlteal I hear you. However, I’ve had Hynautic stick systems fail and had to manually shift from the engine room while communicating to my first mate to dock. All systems have failure points, even those meticulously maintained. If this system was to go out, I’d walk back to the helm. Redundant systems are never bad IMHO.

[@MindBodySoulOk]

I pretty much just fast forwared through

[@alyeskamaritime7429]

So, you poo-poo the "bang-bang" thruster controls of the competition, but then admit that your Dockmate setup is also running your solo thruster "bang-bang". Did I understand you right?

[@ElliYacht1]

Not trying to poo-poo on anyone. You are correct that our boat doesn’t have progressive bow thruster. However, for those that do, the flexibility of supporting progressive thrusters is very important, in our opinion. I will also point out our engine controls do take advantage of the progressive control feature and it is extremely helpful in maneuvering. Hope that helps!