Aquila and Mercury collaborate to offer joystick piloting system for power catamaran

Aquila and Mercury have recently collaborated to offer a joystick piloting application for a power catamaran with engines 9’ 6” apart. By angling the transoms, optimizing props and taking advantage of new calibration strategies, the teams were able to install a joystick piloting system aboard the Aquila 36.

“Joystick Piloting for Outboards has been a very popular feature for dual, triple and quad applications,” said Rob Hackbarth, Mercury Marine category director. “Now working with Aquila, we were given the opportunity to install joystick piloting on a power catamaran. This will allow the boater to feel the power of the Verado engines but to also enjoy the ease of boating with joystick piloting.”

Since its introduction almost ten years ago, Mercury’s engineering team has made a series of enhancements to the Joystick Piloting Skyhook System including Heading Adjust, BowHook and DriftHook. 

Mercury’s SkyHook technology is now integrated onto the same technology suite as the joystick. The next generation joystick meets the requirements to enter Skyhook (control levers in neutral and vessel speed over ground below 5 mph), and then just press the button; visual and audible indications inform you when Skyhook is pending and when you have latched on to your position and heading.

“Here at Aquila, we are very excited to have worked with Mercury in developing a ground-breaking joystick solution aboard the Aquila 36. Aquila is known for its innovation, quality, and design, and this is no different,” said Harry Mountain, Aquila brand manager. 

The Aquila 36 is a power catamaran includes a topside summer kitchen with smokeless grill, cockpit seating for over two dozen adults and two comfortable cabins with private en-suite heads. A hardtop is available with or without an opening sunroof. It is powered by twin 250 horsepower Mercury Verado outboards. This boat also has the ability to sustain twin 300 or twin 350 horsepower Mercury Verado outboards.

“The Aquila 36 provided us with an opportunity to move in a direction of unknown waters due to the distance between the two Verado engines. Working closely between our teams at J&J Design, Mercury, Sino Eagle Yachts and MarineMax we were able to integrate the Joystick Piloting onto the boat with outstanding performance,” said Jean Raas, Sino Eagle Yachts USA CEO. “Every time I step onboard the Aquila 36 with Joystick Piloting installed, I am blown away at how efficient and effective the engines move in unison at the slightest movement of the Joystick control. The Aquila 36 is already an innovative and outstanding boat and now with the Joystick Piloting added, it makes it into a boater’s dream come true!”

Aquila said it is honored to have worked with Mercury to help develop this innovative technology. Looking forward, Aquila plans on continuing to push the boundaries of technology in their current and new models. 

For more information, visit www.aquilaboats.com.