Even with three other boats, there was constantly a line to test out this unique control system. When it was finally my turn I jumped up and took the controls, eager to try it myself.
I easily operated the boat, not because of my skills, but because of the design. I gently controlled the 33-foot Grady-White Freedom 335 off-shore boat and perfectly guided it over to the buoys on my first attempt without a single problem. But once I got there I wasn’t sure what to do; it’s not like there was an actual dock to stop and tie off to. I ended up pulling forward after exiting the joystick mode, but as I pulled forward the current caught my bow and I lost sight of the buoys. I panicked and killed the engines, but it was too late. I was already caught up on the buoys. The rope didn’t get to the propellers, but it did snag itself on the actual outboard really well. On a warm day you’d just jump in and free it, but on a day when the temperature was fighting to find 50 degrees, no one was going in.
When all the eyes onboard weren’t staring at the hung up buoys I could feel them on me. The Yamaha rep decided to just cut them loose and pull the buoys in, which only added to my guilt.
The first guy who tested the system before me messed around with it for nearly 10 minutes. I had less than a minute behind the wheel, but it was clear my time was done. The boat owner then asked, “does anyone ELSE want to give it a try?” His question was answered by blank stares. No one wanted to even come close to the controls after me.
We motored back to the dock and as I unloaded I tried to just blend back in with the others. That’s when one of the other journalists spotted me and said, “I bet that guy is going to remember you for a long time.” I faked a smile and kept walking.
The majority of the writers went away with positive memories of this very cool Yamaha system. But as for me, I won’t soon forget those two bright orange buoys.
