#Dockmate mac install#
#Dockmate mac full#
#Dockmate mac series#

I pushed the joystick away from the dock and of course - since I and the remote were facing the wrong way - the boat headed right for the dock. I’m not always good at listening to directions so one of the first times I used the remote I found myself looking off the stern wanting to move away from the dock. The Dockmate installer advised that it’s best not to turn your body 180 degrees because it’s difficult for your brain to handle the mismatch between the direction you push and the direction the boat moves. Navigating your boat by remote control is a bit different.

Incidentally, if the remote does get out of range, it will beep when a button is pressed and the link light will blink to indicate a failure (something I only experienced when I walked hundreds of feet down the dock).

#Dockmate mac full#

In a marina surrounded by homes and full of boats, I found range in excess of 300 feet, and in regular use I’ve never had a single control input fail to transmit and execute the command.

#Dockmate mac install#

Immediately after completing the install I walked the remote down the dock and tested range using the horn.

#Dockmate mac series#

The receiver has a series of LEDs on top of the enclosure that light when a function is activated. 12 or 24-volt power can be supplied to the receiver from two separate sources for further redundancy. In the event of any failure, out-of-range condition, dead batteries or other unexpected events, the system will return to neutral and the engine controls at the helm will be active. This safety mechanism avoids a stuck relay resulting in unintended actuation of an engine or thruster. Critical ones like thruster and engine commands have double relays, both of which must close to engage the function. It contains a series of interface boards or relays to control each function. The receiver is about a 9-inch by 9-inch box that mounts out of sight near one of the helms so that it can be connected to the various controls that it too will control. Dockmate also offers a transmission interface box to directly control transmission shift solenoids, thus bypassing proprietary engine control systems. So it’s best to get a quote from a Dockmate installer.ĭockmate is designed to interface with electronically controlled engines, so, if you have mechanical engines with cable or hydraulic actuation of throttle and shift they will refer you to Glendening for a compatible mechanical to electronic retrofit. A 6 function (two engines, two thrusters, anchor, and horn) with the twist remote connected to CAN bus controlled engines will run about $12,500, but there is a litany of equipment specific options that can influence specific pricing for your boat.

They say a 5 function (two engines, thruster, anchor, and horn) system with a Twin remote will typically cost about $7,500 installed. On Have Another Day it controls my Volvo-Penta QL bow and stern thrusters, twin Volvo-Penta D12-EDC engines, horn and Maxwell 3500 windlass.

An install consists of a receiver that is typically located under a helm and connected to each of the items being controlled and a wireless remote.ĭockmate has an array of options for integrating with engines, thrusters, and windlasses to make the installation as simple and flexible as possible. Their latest system is capable of controlling two engines, one or two windlasses, bow and stern thruster, and a horn. The Dockmate receiver installed under Have Another Day’s upper helmĭockmate is new to the US having started distributing their systems in 2018 but the company began selling systems worldwide in 2012 with several thousand systems already installed.