Joystick Maneuvering System

Brief Summary

Sure, we’ve all heard how pods are all the rage and can allow a 16 year old to dock a 40 footer with ease. And we’ve also heard how you can have joystick functionality with stern drives. Now, however, the design team at ZF Marine, longtime innovators in marine transmissions and drive systems, has charted a new course that will allow full joystick functionality and more in larger boats with only inboard engines and bow thrusters. That’s right, inboard engines, and we think professional captains will like it as well as owner/operators. Viking Yachts, Tiara, and MasterCraft are the first to adopt this breakthrough system on their new boats, and we had to try it out for ourselves. Here is a first look video as Capt. Steve tests the system out in a Viking Yachts 60 Convertible in South Florida. Also take a look at his report on how it comes together. The big news is it can be retrofitted!

Key Features

The JMS System will work with any ZF Transmission that is equipped with electric shift, electric trolling valves, and SmartCommand kits.

The SmartCommand kits provide input and output speed sensors for closed loop monitoring of engine rpms and precise control of shaft speeds.

The system will operate off of either 12 or 24v DC.

The total weight of all components for SmartCommand and JMS for a single station boat is approximately 75 lbs. The JMS components alone weigh about 12 lbs.

To date ZF has installed the system on boats from 30 to 80 feet in length. There is no reason that the system could not operate a boat in the 100' range.

It is possible to install up to 6 joystick stations enabling maneuvering of the boat from any location.

JMS, with all its options, can be retrofitted in existing vessels with electronic engine interface, ZF transmissions and SmartCommand control systems.

JMS can interface with both DC and hydraulic bow thrusters.

CAN based joystick station on 3 proportional axis, with one push button to take control and select functions

Specifications

Type of Engine
Number of Cylinders
Horse Power	0
Configuration
Weight
Fuel Type	Both (Gasoline or Diesel)
Fuel Delivery
Shaft Length Options
Shift Throttle Control
Displacement
Steering Control
Recommended Fuel
Alternator Output
CARB Rating
Engine Monitoring System

Captain's Report

Sure, we’ve all heard how pods are all the rage and can allow a 16-year-old to dock a 40 footer with ease. And we’ve also heard how you can have joystick functionality with stern drives. Now, however, the design team at ZF Marine, longtime innovators in marine transmissions and drive systems, has charted a new course that will allow full joystick functionality and more in larger boats with only inboard engines and bow thrusters. That’s right, inboard engines, and we think professional captains will like it as well as owner/operators. Viking Yachts, Tiara, and MasterCraft are the first to adopt this breakthrough system on their new boats, and we had to try it out for ourselves. This is a first look video as Capt. Steve tests the system out in a Viking Yachts 60 Convertible in South Florida. We’re currently editing the footage, but until it’s done, take a look at his report on how it comes together. The big news is it can be retrofitted!We tested the ZF Marine JMS or Joystick Maneuvering System on a brand new Viking Yachts 60C.
Capt. Steve Says...
Joysticks are great for increasing the confidence level in boat buyers, and as a result, larger boats are being sold, which is good news for everybody. But as a professional captain, I’ve been in enough bars swapping sea stories about getting into a jam in a tight spot to learn that these hassles aren’t just for the amateurs. But the sizes of the boats we, as professionals, typically operate don’t come out of the factory with pods or stern drives. They’re usually large inboard boats that entail a lot of work and maintenance and they can be difficult to dock in tight places with cross currents with just two inboard engines.
ZF has been claiming that their new product brings joystick handling to large motoryachts, so, of course, I have to try one myself to see if the promotional hype was true. But first... the installation.
The main point of contact of the ZF JMS
What Does It Take
So let’s say I have either an existing 70 footer, or I’m having one built. What does it take to add JMS or Joystick Maneuvering System to my boat? Turns out, not much. The requirements are simple. Aside from the obvious... a joystick and a control screen, you need...

1. Any engines with ZF marine gears with digital controlling systems and trolling valves. ZF’s popular, and time tested, SmartCommand system allows the engine, transmission, and trolling valves to talk to the...
2. Black box computer controller, and
3. A hydraulic bow thruster.

Now to be clear, an electric bow thruster will work, but its inherent problems (i.e. limited thrust, limited battery life and time constraints before overheating and shutting down) preclude its effective use in this system. Particularly so with some of the additional features.
ZF reports that some customers have actually added the system simply because they wanted the hydraulic bow thruster (and indeed this was the case on our test boat) in addition to their Smart Command and therefore simply adding the whole system was a no brainer. Most boats being built will already have the control systems and thruster, so adding the third component, the computer controller, is such a cost effective choice, that its popularity is already adding a buzz to the waterfront equivalent of the office water cooler. If you do not have a trolling vale on your ZF tranny, you also need to retrofit that.
What does it do?
What are the back-up features?
What happens when you lose an engine?
Stay tuned to BoatTEST.com...