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Author Topic:   Yamaha Announces HELM MASTER

jimh posted 01-10-2013 03:00 PM ET (US)
Yamaha has announced a new outboard engine electronic steering and throttle control system using a joystick control mechanism, called HELM MASTER. It is reported that Yamaha has installed HELM MASTER on a number of production boats of their boat-builder partners, including:
--a REGULATOR 34 center console
--a CONTENDER 35 ST
--a GRADY-WHITE Freedom 335
--a GRADY-WHITE Express 360
--a EVERGLADES 355T
The HELM MASTER system consists of the following components:
--electronic key switch
--digital remote control unit
--system control unit
--hydraulic steering cylinders
--pumps
--the joystick controller
The system is intended to be used with the Command Link Plus electronic gauges.
In addition to the joystick steering feature, the HELM MASTER system also provides additional features for operation at planing speeds. The system provides for automatic trim control. This provides an automatic operation of the engine trim position to match engine speed and boat speed. It is said to automatically set the engine trim for best fuel efficiency. In operation, the helmsman just adjusts the engine throttle, and HELM MASTER will set the engine trim automatically match.
The HELM MASTER system will be available only on new boats from specially qualifed OEM builders. There is no option to re-fit the system or to install as a re-power, at this time.
HELM MASTER will be available for use with the Yamaha F250, F300, and F350 outboard engines. The system is planned for demonstration at the Miami International Boat Show in February 2013.
There is a very good article describing first-hand and illustrated with photographs the HELM MASTER by Charles Plueddman at
http://features.boats.com/boat-content/2012/11/ yamaha-helm-master-offers-total-outboard-control/
In addition to restricting HELM MASTER to OEM installation, Yamaha also has mentioned that HELM MASTER may not be for all boats. Boats with bow-high stern-low static trim are not anticipated to work well. Yamaha appears to intend to evaluate HELM MASTER on a boat-by-boat basis for possible application. This seems typical of the usual conservative method of operation of Yamaha.
ASIDE: Mercury has also announced an outboard engine joystick control system. See this separate article:
http://continuouswave.com/ubb/Forum8/HTML/004621.html
Peter posted 01-10-2013 08:07 PM ET (US)
I'll bet that system has a $20K price tag. A bow thruster may not be quite as slick but its price installed is probably about 1/3 the cost judging by what Whaler charges for the bow thruster option. The bow thruster will be far more effective in putting the bow where you want it when there are cross winds than two or three outboards spaced close together trying to back and pivot a 30+ foot boat from the stern.
Buoy posted 01-10-2013 09:18 PM ET (US)
Pursuit displayed the new OS 375 Offshore at the 2013 NY Boat Show. This is the model that encapsulates the twin Yamaha outboards under the stern deck. After the show, the 375 was heading to Yamaha down south to be retrofitted for Helm Master.
I do enjoy my joystick control on my riding mower.
jimh posted 01-10-2013 10:06 PM ET (US)
The HELM MASTER (or any other outboard engine joystick control system) is going to be an expensive option. The option is only applicable to twin-engine boats at a minimum, and the engines are the 250-HP, 300-HP, or 350-HP engines. This means you are talking about engines with a price tag of at least $45,000 to perhaps as much as $100,000 for the package for triples, and even more for a quad engine set up. At that point, the cost of adding the HELM MASTER option, even if it is a $20,000 option, is not going to be a a huge influence. There are always people who want to order all the options, no matter what the cost.
It is interesting technology, in any case. I would like to see the details of how the independent hydraulic steering works. I wonder if there is any sort of electrical limit switch or mechanical limit stop that keeps the system from moving an engine in such a way that it runs into its adjacent engine partner.
At first glance, it seems like if you had a flexible steel wire rope attached to the engine tiller arms, with a length that was carefully selected, the wire rope would prevent the engine tillers from getting too far apart. That would prevent the electronics or hydraulics from turning the propellers into each other. That seems like a rather simple fail-safe mechanism.
fno posted 01-11-2013 12:39 AM ET (US)
Wierd science if you ask me. I can understand three outboard engines on a big boat in the 30+ range. But above that diesel inboards are the way to go. With the right setup you can rival the speed and so called efficiency of three or four big outboards. Can anybody say "Arneson Drive"??? It's been out there for a long time and mostly the military is applying it in special cases for propulsion in shallow water ops.
Peter posted 01-11-2013 05:42 AM ET (US)
Having boated as long as I have, I have learned and gravitated to the KISS methodology for boating. This system, while technically very interesting, strays quite far from that.
elenakagan posted 01-11-2013 01:46 PM ET (US)
"I'll bet that system has a $20K price tag. A bow thruster may not be quite as slick but its price installed is probably about 1/3 the cost judging by what Whaler charges for the bow thruster option. The bow thruster will be far more effective in putting the bow where you want it when there are cross winds than two or three outboards spaced close together trying to back and pivot a 30+ foot boat from the stern."
X2, The bow thruster on my 35' Seavee was less than $5k, for a Vetus.
Peter posted 01-11-2013 03:48 PM ET (US)
It would not surprise me to learn that the Yamaha system also operates a bow thruster.
In the pictures in the article, judging by the pile of water being pushed up againstg the transom, it looks like the operators have the "hammer down" in reverse.
jimh posted 01-11-2013 03:52 PM ET (US)
I also noted that, in one of the photographs showing the HELM MASTER in operation, there appeared to be a heck of lot of water being pushed around by the several outboard engines. Apparently most of the engine thrust was being cancelled out, with only a slight movement of the boat as the net result.
elenakagan posted 01-11-2013 04:54 PM ET (US)
It's still nice to move in and out sideways with no issues, over 300 hours on my boat and the rub rail is as it came out of the factory, never touches a piling or dock. It's great having that bow control!
jimh posted 02-18-2013 12:02 AM ET (US)
Yamaha have produced an excellent presentation that shows many features of their HELM MASTER system. Watch the presentation from
http://youtu.be/3HVrgIjBDVw

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Author	Topic: Yamaha Announces HELM MASTER
jimh	posted 01-10-2013 03:00 PM ET (US) Yamaha has announced a new outboard engine electronic steering and throttle control system using a joystick control mechanism, called HELM MASTER. It is reported that Yamaha has installed HELM MASTER on a number of production boats of their boat-builder partners, including: --a REGULATOR 34 center console --a CONTENDER 35 ST --a GRADY-WHITE Freedom 335 --a GRADY-WHITE Express 360 --a EVERGLADES 355T The HELM MASTER system consists of the following components: --electronic key switch --digital remote control unit --system control unit --hydraulic steering cylinders --pumps --the joystick controller The system is intended to be used with the Command Link Plus electronic gauges. In addition to the joystick steering feature, the HELM MASTER system also provides additional features for operation at planing speeds. The system provides for automatic trim control. This provides an automatic operation of the engine trim position to match engine speed and boat speed. It is said to automatically set the engine trim for best fuel efficiency. In operation, the helmsman just adjusts the engine throttle, and HELM MASTER will set the engine trim automatically match. The HELM MASTER system will be available only on new boats from specially qualifed OEM builders. There is no option to re-fit the system or to install as a re-power, at this time. HELM MASTER will be available for use with the Yamaha F250, F300, and F350 outboard engines. The system is planned for demonstration at the Miami International Boat Show in February 2013. There is a very good article describing first-hand and illustrated with photographs the HELM MASTER by Charles Plueddman at http://features.boats.com/boat-content/2012/11/ yamaha-helm-master-offers-total-outboard-control/ In addition to restricting HELM MASTER to OEM installation, Yamaha also has mentioned that HELM MASTER may not be for all boats. Boats with bow-high stern-low static trim are not anticipated to work well. Yamaha appears to intend to evaluate HELM MASTER on a boat-by-boat basis for possible application. This seems typical of the usual conservative method of operation of Yamaha. ASIDE: Mercury has also announced an outboard engine joystick control system. See this separate article: http://continuouswave.com/ubb/Forum8/HTML/004621.html
Peter	posted 01-10-2013 08:07 PM ET (US) I'll bet that system has a $20K price tag. A bow thruster may not be quite as slick but its price installed is probably about 1/3 the cost judging by what Whaler charges for the bow thruster option. The bow thruster will be far more effective in putting the bow where you want it when there are cross winds than two or three outboards spaced close together trying to back and pivot a 30+ foot boat from the stern.
Buoy	posted 01-10-2013 09:18 PM ET (US) Pursuit displayed the new OS 375 Offshore at the 2013 NY Boat Show. This is the model that encapsulates the twin Yamaha outboards under the stern deck. After the show, the 375 was heading to Yamaha down south to be retrofitted for Helm Master. I do enjoy my joystick control on my riding mower.
jimh	posted 01-10-2013 10:06 PM ET (US) The HELM MASTER (or any other outboard engine joystick control system) is going to be an expensive option. The option is only applicable to twin-engine boats at a minimum, and the engines are the 250-HP, 300-HP, or 350-HP engines. This means you are talking about engines with a price tag of at least $45,000 to perhaps as much as $100,000 for the package for triples, and even more for a quad engine set up. At that point, the cost of adding the HELM MASTER option, even if it is a $20,000 option, is not going to be a a huge influence. There are always people who want to order all the options, no matter what the cost. It is interesting technology, in any case. I would like to see the details of how the independent hydraulic steering works. I wonder if there is any sort of electrical limit switch or mechanical limit stop that keeps the system from moving an engine in such a way that it runs into its adjacent engine partner. At first glance, it seems like if you had a flexible steel wire rope attached to the engine tiller arms, with a length that was carefully selected, the wire rope would prevent the engine tillers from getting too far apart. That would prevent the electronics or hydraulics from turning the propellers into each other. That seems like a rather simple fail-safe mechanism.
fno	posted 01-11-2013 12:39 AM ET (US) Wierd science if you ask me. I can understand three outboard engines on a big boat in the 30+ range. But above that diesel inboards are the way to go. With the right setup you can rival the speed and so called efficiency of three or four big outboards. Can anybody say "Arneson Drive"??? It's been out there for a long time and mostly the military is applying it in special cases for propulsion in shallow water ops.
Peter	posted 01-11-2013 05:42 AM ET (US) Having boated as long as I have, I have learned and gravitated to the KISS methodology for boating. This system, while technically very interesting, strays quite far from that.
elenakagan	posted 01-11-2013 01:46 PM ET (US) "I'll bet that system has a $20K price tag. A bow thruster may not be quite as slick but its price installed is probably about 1/3 the cost judging by what Whaler charges for the bow thruster option. The bow thruster will be far more effective in putting the bow where you want it when there are cross winds than two or three outboards spaced close together trying to back and pivot a 30+ foot boat from the stern." X2, The bow thruster on my 35' Seavee was less than $5k, for a Vetus.
Peter	posted 01-11-2013 03:48 PM ET (US) It would not surprise me to learn that the Yamaha system also operates a bow thruster. In the pictures in the article, judging by the pile of water being pushed up againstg the transom, it looks like the operators have the "hammer down" in reverse.
jimh	posted 01-11-2013 03:52 PM ET (US) I also noted that, in one of the photographs showing the HELM MASTER in operation, there appeared to be a heck of lot of water being pushed around by the several outboard engines. Apparently most of the engine thrust was being cancelled out, with only a slight movement of the boat as the net result.
elenakagan	posted 01-11-2013 04:54 PM ET (US) It's still nice to move in and out sideways with no issues, over 300 hours on my boat and the rub rail is as it came out of the factory, never touches a piling or dock. It's great having that bow control!
jimh	posted 02-18-2013 12:02 AM ET (US) Yamaha have produced an excellent presentation that shows many features of their HELM MASTER system. Watch the presentation from http://youtu.be/3HVrgIjBDVw