Sculpin
Well-Known Member
Next year will see joystick controls offered by merc,yam and zuk, http://www.motorboatsmonthly.co.uk/news/532959/yamaha-to-offer-joystick-control,
http://features.boats.com/boat-content/2012/10/mercury-verado-joystick-control-ready-for-2013/
The Teleflex Optimus system is designed for the retrofitt market, it only works with mechanical engines.
Will see single pods hit the market
http://www.marinelink.com/news/propulsion-marines-single336079.aspx
Jet Drives have had joystick control for years.
http://www.ultradynamics.com/joystick-control-systems/
Sail boats
http://www.sailmagazine.com/joy-stick-club
Twin inboards
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6e3gHv4Imc
Joysticks will be an option on anything above say 30' and cost will come down to the point where for resale reasons alone people will buy em and any manufacturer who doesn't offer Joystick controls in their boats will sink.
What will happen to resale value in 5 to 10 yrs for the boats without joystick control?
Merc already offers the joy stick and Volvo has had it for years. There are a lot of experienced folks out there that won't touch any of this fly by wire stuff for obvious reasons.
I think a solid, reliable, mechanically controlled vessel will have higher resale value than anything with 5-10 year old electronics that need replacing at any moment at that age.
I think the ones without it will do just fine in the resale department IMO

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