Advertisement
The time for joystick-controlled pontooning has arrived with Mercury’s new piloting system for single outboards pontoon boats.
The new Joystick Piloting for Outboards system from Mercury Marine uses two thrusters that make maneuvering simple and stow when not in use.
Docking problems? What docking problems? With Mercury Marine’s new Joystick Piloting for Outboards (JPO) for single-engine pontoon boats, close-quarters maneuvering just became, well, a joy.
The joystick makes close-quarters maneuvering a cinch.
The system incorporates a joystick with two deployable thrusters — one forward and one aft — that drop down into the water and work with the outboard to deliver dockside control that’s unheard-of in the pontoon boat world. Take a look for yourself.
Compatible with 175- to 600-hp Mercury outboards with digital throttle and shift, JPO will allow you to spin a pontoon boat 360-degrees, slide it sideways, and fine-tune your approach to a dock or slip in every way. When used on boats with electronic steering, the “Premium” system also gains auto heading and route functionality. The system is expected to be available on new boats this spring. Price: $12,000 to $17,000 as an upgrade to most boats. mercurymarine.com