Recently an exciting technology breakthrough hit the boating industry and it has taken us all by storm. It’s the new alternative joystick style steering that allows you to control your twin engine boat with ease, making the chore of docking a large vessel in windy conditions seem routine.
If you own a 40-foot offshore, twin engine boat, this is great news. Unfortunately for those of us in the pontoon industry it was fun to give it a try when given the opportunity at select boat shows or media events, but realistically we figured it would be years (if ever) when we could hope to see this type of technology on a pontoon boat.
That way of thinking all changed when the Optimus 360 Joystick Steering system by SeaStar was released last year. Engine manufacturers like Volvo Penta, Mercury and Yamaha were all busy releasing similar systems, but it was SeaStar Solutions who not only perfectly married its Optimus 360 to Evinrude’s ICON electronic shift and throttle, but incorporated it all on a Premier pontoon.
“The Optimus 360 takes over with the power steering pumps, the steering helm and the joystick,” says Evinrude senior product specialist Larry Koschak. “So the major steering duties start with Teleflex.”
For the casual observer from the dock, seeing the twin engines “dance” back and forth—and at times appear to be working in opposite directions—can be a fun sight to watch. But for the driver, he doesn’t need to look back or even worry about what his engines are doing, but rather just push the joystick toward the dock and let the system do all the thinking and calculating.
The Optimus 360’s lock-to-lock steering can be set from 3-3/4 to 8 turns. The system has two thrust settings: “normal” and “boost.” One of the main features that we enjoyed the most when testing it was the amount of control it gives you. The joystick is sensitive to how aggressive you are with the controller. If you only tilt the joystick slightly, then it slowly engages. But when windy, you can tilt the joystick all the way over for a little more power. And when that’s still not enough, that’s when the boost function really comes in handy as you can now aggressively maneuver the boat in even the toughest wind conditions to get your pontoon exactly where you need it to be.
The Optimus 360 is designed specifically for boats running twin Evinrude E-TEC V6 engines and it also fits seamlessly into the Evinrude ICON system to eliminate bulky controls and system complexity.
In Minnesota on Forrest Lake, PDB was given the opportunity to try this new system on a Premier 290 Grand View with twin Evinrude E-TEC 300s. We started our test by circling a buoy and then pushing the bow here and there as we got familiar with the Optimus controls. I wanted to make sure I felt comfortable with the operation before returning to the dock where I knew everyone would be watching to see if I could pass the test. The Optimus 360 seemed to deliver a little more thrust than others I’ve tested, which surprised me since the pontoon was sitting at around 3700 pounds. With the twin engines you’re capable of speeds well over 50 miles per hour, so with this Optimus system you truly have the best of the best as far as premium options for a pontoon.
So, what exactly makes the Optimus 360 such a revolutionary new system? Customized steering resistance and response provides virtually effortless shift and control at all RPM speeds—from idle to wide-open throttle. Captains can set the lock-to-lock steering ratio according to boat speed in order to fit his unique needs.
The joystick is designed to improve control of the boat while docking, launching and retrieving from the trailer. It will also help drivers ease through crowded harbors or marinas. The twin Evinrude E-TEC engines can be controlled independently or in tandem, thanks to the Smart Cylinders with rudder position sensors. Suddenly, maneuvering the boat sideways, diagonally, forward and backward all become a cinch. And with just a quick push of a button you can go from joystick steering back to your regular throttle and steering wheel controls, which makes for an extremely easy transition.
“Integrated into the Evinrude E-TEC platform, Optimus 360 will give boat operators a new level of control for their vessel and confidence in their own maneuvering skills,” adds Koschak. “This technology will improve the overall steering experience at all speeds and greatly reduce the stress level felt by operators as they maneuver in tight situations.”
Overall, the joystick steering system did what it was designed to do: it gave us precise control of the Premier pontoon and the transitioning from the conventional sticks to the joystick was seamless and truly like nothing else out there. The Premier 290 Grand View with twin 300 E-TECs is of course one of the highest in the very high-end spectrum of the industry since the loaded version is limited to those who are in the market for a high dollar pontoon boat. But still, it’s nice to know that the great advances in technology also apply to those of us in the pontoon industry.
The Optimus 360 by SeaStar is now available for installation from authorized Evinrude E-TEC boat builders and dealerships and yes, even those looking at buying a pontoon boat.
For More Information:
Evinrude
Premier Pontoons
SeaStar Solutions
