Scarab with Rotax iST (electronic shift & throttle)

[JetTech72]

Looks like Scarab will be coming out with some pretty nice feature next year.
A friend of mine was at the dealer meeting and was totally impressed with this new iST feature. He said that operating the gate with this system is so easy.

http://www.boatingindustry.com/news/2015/09/29/brp-brings-electronic-control-to-rotax-engines/

 

[Bruce]

Does your dealer friend know when it will be available? I wonder if the Yamaha E-Series is a response to this or this is a response to E-Series?

 

[JusFlyinBy]

Being able to adjust the neutral position on the fly sounds like it will make this boat ridiculously maneuverable at the docks. I'd strongly consider upgrading to that in the future, that is of course, assuming there's any resale value left to my boat after these forums, lol.

 

[ScarabMike]

What they need to do is start looking into correcting their dealership/service network, and making their past customers happy. The SeaDoo IBR system is a complete disaster. They have had to redesign it because of the faulty electronics and equipment.

This info, and introducing it to a service network that lacks the knowledge of the product as it is? Oh yea, I can see this section getting really busy soon.

 

[JetTech72]

@ScarabMike "The SeaDoo IBR system is a complete disaster" . LOL!
Seriously! That's a pretty harsh statement for something that has been out there since 2008, been installed to probably more than 150K jets and was a definite leading innovation for the industry.
From what I see it only took Yamaha 8 yrs to finally decide to copy the system.
I have heard about some having issues, but I can tell you that I put about 150hrs on my 2010 GTX 155 & never had a problem, & same goes for my riding partners.
I would not ride a jet without it.
As far as the iST, what I was told is that they used the up-graded iBR2 motor.

 

[ScarabMike]

@JetTech72

Here are just some of the IBR issues I have read or seen. Time will tell.

Cluster issues
System gets stuck in reverse
voltage issues
IBR goes into safe mode while under way
Canbus errors... (U16A4 - ECU TIMED OUT WAITING FOR iBR ON CAN BUSU16A5 - ECU TIMED OUT WAITING FOR iBR ON CAN BUSU0129 - CAN COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN ERROR AND WCM iBR)
Blown fuses
IBR Actuator issues
http://www.greenhulk.net/forums/showthread.php?t=187075

Need I go on? There is a reason for the redesign. And these issues have mostly been handled by sea doo dealers with experience. The Scarab dealerships will most likely have to get a college degree to figure out an electronic issue like this.

 

[JetTech72]

Agree with you, time will tell.
As I said, I had more than 150hrs on my 2010 Sea-Doo GTX 155 and never had an issue.
It's like anything else, we always hear more about the problems. The unhappy people are always louder than the happy people.
Same goes in the car industry, just think about Caravan & Odyssey tranny problems, BMW oil leaking engine, Ford EcoBoost sputtering ...
If there was no innovations we would still be riding 2-stroke SPX and driving around town in a Pinto.
I really like BRP Rotax for being such an innovation driven company & can't wait to hear more about this iST system.

 

[JetTech72]

Anyone had the chance to try this yet?

 

[BobJohnson]

Boy would I love to have that true idle on my Chaparral.

 

[MMaxMikeD]

They started shipping boats with iST in November '15. I've demo'd a 195HOI with it and it's insane how easy it is to shift into forward, reverse and neutral. Setting the true neutral is actually really easy too. It works as advertised if you spend some time with it. Disclaimer: don't try setting it in a current, you'll be there for a while

 

[MMaxMikeD]

Oh the command center in that video is an extra option. The iST does not include the command center

 

[JetTech72]

Looks like the BRP Rotax iST as won the NMMA Innovation of the Year Award in the JetBoat category, can't wait to get a chance to try it.

http://www.brp.com/en-us/company/news/brp-receives-industry-award-rotax-innovation

 

[JetTech72]

@ScarabMike have you had the chance to try the new iST system? If so what you think about it.
Comments from Capt.Steve @ BoatTest.com was extremely positive.

 

[ScarabMike]

@ScarabMike have you had the chance to try the new iST system? If so what you think about it.
Comments from Capt.Steve @ BoatTest.com was extremely positive.

Its basically the 2nd generation iBR system that's in my TXTX 300. The exception is the bucket does not fully extend downward to act as a parachute to stop the vessel like the pwcs. I can place the ski on newtral, and by using the trim buttons, I can adjust the neutral for current conditions like wind or current. I love mine.

Only issue will be that there is a slight delay between neutral to forward, and neutral to reverse. You can hear it operating from outside.

Compared to the older problematic iBR system, this one has been completely redesigned. Even the placement of the unit has changed. I will keep everyone posted on its reliability.