Mercury Unveils New Single-Engine Joystick Piloting Features

Mercury is proud to announce the launch of Joystick Piloting for Single-Engine Vessels with Thruster. Further enhancing its leading portfolio of joystick controls for vessels. This innovative system will be available for installation in Q2 2025. It was revealed today at the Discover Boating Miami International Boat Show in Miami Beach, Florida.

Designed to work with the V12, V10, and V8 Verado outboards. The new system integrates a bow thruster into single-engine applications. Providing precise control during slow-speed maneuvers and docking. By combining throttle, shift, steering, and a compatible bow thruster in one joystick interface. The system enables features previously impossible on single-engine boats, such as 360-degree rotation and sideways movement.

“Manoeuvring a single-engine vessel in tight spaces can be tricky, even for experienced captains,” said Steve Andrasko, Vice President of Category Management at Mercury Marine. “This new system allows boat operators to control the steering, throttle, and shifting of the outboard motor while simultaneously activating a variable-speed bow thruster, all with a single, intuitive joystick.”

With this innovation, operators gain confident control of a single-engine vessel, even in challenging conditions like strong winds or currents. The new system also introduces advanced features such as Skyhook, Bowhook, and Drifthook, now available for boats powered by a single outboard engine.

In addition to the current selection of compatible bow thrusters from Vetus and Sleipner, Mercury is excited to announce a partnership with Quick. Quick’s range of bow thrusters will now integrate seamlessly with Mercury’s single- and multi-engine systems, offering even greater precision and control for slow-speed maneuvers.

Mercury will not be supplying compatible bow thrusters. Customers can enjoy a broader selection of compatible thrusters thanks to this partnership with Quick.

Mercury will enhance its Single-Engine Joystick Steering with a software upgrade in Q2 2025. This upgrade will add position hold functionality for single-engine vessels, giving even more control in various operational scenarios.