Maritimo launches shaft drive joystick
Thursday, 03 June 2010
Maritimo has launched a C60 Sports Cabriolet model with a new
joystick control system - the Express Joystick System
from Twin Disc.
The Express Joystick System (EJS) offers seamless docking and
slow-speed handling on traditional shaft-drive boats by combining
Twin Disc's patented QuickShift gearbox technology with hydraulic
bow only or bow and stern thruster systems.
Maritimo has installed the world's first production version of
EJS in a new C60 Sports cabriolet, debuting the boat at the
Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show in May. The boat will be on
the Maritimo display throughout the Sydney International Boat
Show.
At the heart of EJS is a joystick installed beside the standard
engine controls at the boat's helm with optional joystick stations
available for other locations. At the press of a button on the
control, the EJS is activated and all the boat's movements are
managed completely from the joystick. The secret to the smooth,
seamless operation is the patented clutch design of the QuickShift
gearbox and express mode. The engines maintain a steady high idle
rpm throughout every part of the operation and the boat movement is
precisely controlled by transmission direction, slipping clutches
and the proportional speeds of the thrusters.
Maritimo's General Manager and chief engineer Martin Lewis
confirms the smooth and simple operation of the new EJS.
"On the boat I tested, the joystick generated immediate and
smooth response," he said. "There was no delay."
According to Twin Disc (Pacific) Managing Director Glenn
Frettingham, "Standard electric thrusters cannot be run constantly.
Our proportional hydraulic thrusters offer variable speed and can
run continuously through the manoeuvres."
The EJS joystick combines directional control and rotation. Push
the stick in any direction around 360 degrees and the QuickShift
transmissions combined with the thrusters to push it in that
direction. Twist the knob on the top of the joystick and the boat
rotates. Pressure on the stick controls speed of operation.
The QuickShift technology ensures that changes in direction and
speed are smooth and instantaneous - no lag, no clunk or jerk of
gear switching. The system can be installed on any boat that has
QuickShift gearboxes and can even be retrofitted with relative
ease.
Mr Frettingham said the EJS is a more cost-effective method to
achieve precise joystick control than any of the current pod drive
systems.
"With EJS we don't significantly alter the original design of
the boat," he said. "If an owner already has standard QuickShift
transmissions and controls installed an upgrade to EJS joystick
control is relatively simple when compared to upgrading to
pods."