Video of the DRiVE system in the 275SD boat

[Julian]

This looks interesting...will have to try it out!!!

 

[Murf'n'surf]

I'm sure this will migrate to the smaller boats in time.

 

[MidnightRider]

Its cool that they are innovating around control systems but I personally just don't find this very compelling. Just backwards and forward control? Is it really that hard to have your hand on the throttle and steering wheel at the same time. Even standing up I've never felt like I need something else to help with that. Now if it was a more complex computer controlled system that automated splitting the throttles and engaging the twin jets independently in different directions and throttle positions sorta like a joy stick type thruster control on big yachts I'd be intrigued. Not trying to pour cold water on this as I love innovation in any form even failure (not saying this is failure necessarily and maybe this will lead to more complex DRiVE system in the future) but just for me personally I don't see any real need being met with this system as is.

 

[Murf'n'surf]

I somewhat agree with your take but look at what their motivation is. 1. Be a trend setter with a new way to operate the boat and 2. Take user error out of the equation with the paddles. Every operator will dock at same speed etc.

 

[seadude]

Looks like a good idea to me, but I'm thinking fixed position paddles would have been better to avoid "paddle confusion", however our quick steering means the wheel doesn't turn all that much to lose orientation...
IMO for the $130k top model, Yamaha should have blown away everyone with electronic individual jet drive steering allowing joystick control!

 

[Bluewater272]

IMO for the $130k top model, Yamaha should have blown away everyone with electronic individual jet drive steering allowing joystick control!

That would have been cool. Adding a bow thruster is not that expensive, and then its just a matter of programming it to behave as you'd expect.