About Controls

Controls are the primary contact point in a boat for most boat drivers. They typically come in different shapes and styles, but most have a dual-function of controlling both the throttle and shift. Single-engine installations have one handle; dual installations have two handles. For bigger boats with three or four engines, we even make controls with more handles.

Not all controls have the same features, but tend to be specific to the type of engine and boat they are controlling.

Digital vs. Mechanical

Mechanical controls use a cable that connects the control to the engine. When installing controls for dual-engine installations, each engine requires a cable.

Digital controls make use of sensors and wires to transmit the signal from the controls to the engine’s computer. Only one harness is required for each engine. Today’s sophisticated engines, such as Verado and OptiMax, use Digital Throttle & Shift (DTS).

Mount Types

Controls can be installed in different mount types, depending on the boat and engine package.

Side mounts are for mechanical controls on outboard engines. The control box is installed on the inner wall of the boat with the handle attached. Side mount controls include a warm-up lever, primary engine harness, trim switch, and safety switch.

Panel or flush mounts can be used with both mechanical and digital controls. These control boxes have the functional components hidden behind the wall, with the handle mounted flush to the wall. They can be used with either outboard or sterndrive engines. All panel mount controls have trim switches and safety switches, and the digital controls include additional buttons or features.

Console, binnacle, or top-mount installations can also be used with both mechanical and digital controls. These types of controls usually are mounted into a flat-top surface, such as you would normally find in a center console or pontoon boat. The functional components are hidden under a decorative housing and the handle is attached through this housing. They can be used with either outboard or sterndrive engines. All controls have trim switches, but the safety switch is sold separately. Digital controls have additional button or features included on a track pad located in the housing.

Axius & Zeus

Axius and Axius Premier from MerCruiser® are revolutionary piloting systems that turn the most stressful part of boating into something you’ll enjoy. Never before has there been such an advanced level of control, maneuverability, and handling – with the ease of an intuitive joystick.

Perfect for dual sterndrive boat packages from 27 to 46 feet, the Axius system provides an incredible level of precise control. Docking is made easy with the pinpoint accuracy of Axius’s advanced Joystick Control System, which provides incredible control and mastery for the ultimate in boating confidence. The optional Axius Premier piloting technology offers additional features and enhancements to make boating even easier and more worry-free.

The instant throttle response and smooth shifting of SmartCraft® Digital Throttle & Shift (DTS), as well as electronic/hydraulic power steering, provide responsive, effortless control backed by thousands of hours of proven reliability.

Zeus is the joystick piloting system for larger boats powered by diesel engines from Cummins Marine.

 

About Gauges

Digital vs. Analog

Gauges come in a variety of different styles, colors and shapes, as well as analog and digital versions.

Analog gauges are very basic displays that typically have a pointer and scale to indicate a specific measurement such as speed, RPM, trim, or fuel level. Analog gauges are connected by wires that carry signals from the engine. For years, engines primarily supplied analog signals; today’s technology has brought digital engines such as Verado and OptiMax to the market.

Mercury’s digital gauges are referred to as SmartCraft In our product line, all sterndrive, Verado, and OptiMax engines – along with all FourStroke engines 40hp and above – are SmartCraft compatible, which means they can use either digital or analog gauges. Engines that are not SmartCraft-compatible (30hp and below) can only use analog gauges.

SmartCraft gauges include an LCD display that allows a variety of features to be displayed either all at once or one at a time, depending on the model. This gives you access to all your engine’s systems with the touch of a button.

 

About Steering

Steering systems come in a variety of versions to fit most boating requirements. Established systems include mechanical, hydraulic, and power steering; a newer steering system is electrical, or “steer-by-wire.” With all four systems, a steering wheel attached to the system will activate the direction the boat moves in.

Mechanical

Mechanical steering uses a cable that connects the helm and steering wheel to the engine. As you move the steering wheel, the cable moves the engine and boat in the direction you turn the wheel. Rack and rotary mechanical systems are both available with a “no-torque” option, which provides a locking system that does not allow the wheel to spin if you remove your hands.

Hydraulic

Hydraulic steering is a system typically seen in boats with larger engines. It uses a series of valves and hydraulic fluid to move the boat in the desired direction. Hoses connect the helm (steering wheel) and the steering cylinder on the engine. When the steering wheel is turned, the fluid is pushed through the cylinder, causing the bracket to move the engine. In turn, the fluid returns to the reservoir under the steering wheel and helm, allowing the system to maintain pressure.

Different sizes and styles of hydraulic systems are available, including solid one-position mounts and tilt mounts as options. Helms can vary based on the hydraulic valve system inside, which controls the amount of effort required to steer the boat. Also available are systems sized to engine horsepower and boat applications. Systems typically are categorized in groups: 150 hp and below, 150 hp to 300 hp for typical boats, and a high-performance category for boats capable of exceeding 60 mph. Various systems also allow multiple engine installations.

Power Steering

Power Steering on outboards is relatively new to the marine market. Engines like Mercury’s Verado use power steering and operate much like an automotive system. The system is pressurized and a pump keeps the fluid moving in the system. “Finger-tip steering” describes the feel that you experience when driving a boat using power steering. The system itself is similar to hydraulic steering, in that it has a helm and cylinder with hoses, but power steering has an additional pump or motor.

Sterndrive engines can also use power steering. Today, most sterndrives use a mechanical helm with a cable that activates a hydraulic valve connected to a pump on the engine. This is the most common power steering system today. Mercury recently introduced power steering for high-torque applications using the power steering-style helm. This is a complete system that connects hoses from front to back, giving the driver the same power steering performance experienced with the outboard power steering system.

Steer-By-Wire

This is a relatively new feature that was launched with our Axius and Zeus systems, which use a joystick to control twin engines. Steer-by-wire eliminates the need to have hydraulic hoses that run from the steering wheel back to the engine steering system. Rather, is is a SmartCraft (digital) system that allows steering wheel position to be relayed to the engines via wires.

Big Tiller

These new tiller handles can be used on most Mercury outboard engines and are sold as a kit. There are different versions, designed for particular engine families: 40-60 HP FourStrokes; 75-115 HP FourStrokes and OptiMax; and even a power steering Big Tiller for the most demanding requirements (150 hp and up).

 

About NMEA 2000

NMEA 2000 is an open protocol used by a number of different gauge and systems manufacturers - a combined electrical and data network for communication between marine electronic devices such as depth finders, nautical chart plotters, navigation instruments, engines, tank level sensors, and GPS receivers. This "gateway" benefits you by allowing you to purchase NMEA 2000-compliant devices, such as chart plotters, and show engine data on these devices. The gateway also allows NMEA 2000 devices, such as trim tabs, to be shown on the digital engine gauges. Mercury's MercMonitor - used as a gateway between the SmartCraft proprietary protocol and NMEA 2000-compatible devices - is also compatible with the NMEA 2000 protocol.