Yamaha Helm Master EX Single Engine

[Anchor Point]

Hello,
Any Grady owners with the Yamaha Helm Master EX with joystick on a single engine? Was looking for some thoughts on how useful it is. I'm having it installed on my new Adventure 218. I was thinking it would be most helpful while trailering and fishing by myself.
Thanks in advance for the helpful advice.
Cheers.

 

[rockpool]

Single engine joystick isn't going to do anything clever for you unfortunately - https://www.boatingmag.com/story/boats/joystick-control-for-single-engine-outboard-boats/

 

[Peter A]

Not clever, but could be modestly to very useful depending on the captain’s skill and comfort level, sea and wind conditions, and how the boat is used. I hear you on fishing by yourself, think it will be great for that. For fishing, an electric trolling motor might be more useful for some situations - quieter for sure. I’d like to have the full suite EX but with a low hour mechanical F200 it’s not gonna happen.

New boats are so expensive, I’d probably get it on a new boat and if I trade up will look for it on a used boat as well. Just make sure you can maneuver the boat without the joystick, stuff always malfunctions.

Good luck with the 218, nice boat! I have a 208 and love it, so the 218 (or a 228) is more of a good thing.

 

[Anchor Point]

Not clever, but could be modestly to very useful depending on the captain’s skill and comfort level, sea and wind conditions, and how the boat is used. I hear you on fishing by yourself, think it will be great for that. For fishing, an electric trolling motor might be more useful for some situations - quieter for sure. I’d like to have the full suite EX but with a low hour mechanical F200 it’s not gonna happen.

New boats are so expensive, I’d probably get it on a new boat and if I trade up will look for it on a used boat as well. Just make sure you can maneuver the boat without the joystick, stuff always malfunctions.

Good luck with the 218, nice boat! I have a 208 and love it, so the 218 (or a 228) is more of a good thing.

Not clever, but could be modestly to very useful depending on the captain’s skill and comfort level, sea and wind conditions, and how the boat is used. I hear you on fishing by yourself, think it will be great for that. For fishing, an electric trolling motor might be more useful for some situations - quieter for sure. I’d like to have the full suite EX but with a low hour mechanical F200 it’s not gonna happen.

New boats are so expensive, I’d probably get it on a new boat and if I trade up will look for it on a used boat as well. Just make sure you can maneuver the boat without the joystick, stuff always malfunctions.

Good luck with the 218, nice boat! I have a 208 and love it, so the 218 (or a 228) is more of a good thing.

Not clever, but could be modestly to very useful depending on the captain’s skill and comfort level, sea and wind conditions, and how the boat is used. I hear you on fishing by yourself, think it will be great for that. For fishing, an electric trolling motor might be more useful for some situations - quieter for sure. I’d like to have the full suite EX but with a low hour mechanical F200 it’s not gonna happen.

New boats are so expensive, I’d probably get it on a new boat and if I trade up will look for it on a used boat as well. Just make sure you can maneuver the boat without the joystick, stuff always malfunctions.

Good luck with the 218, nice boat! I have a 208 and love it, so the 218 (or a 228) is more of a good thing.

Thanks Peter,

I will definitely post my experience with it. I pick up the boat next week. The dealership is going to take me out for a day and show me how everything works. That’s great advice on being able to maneuver without the joystick. I’m a pilot, so that makes perfect sense to me. We have to learn how to hand fly before we learn how to use the automatic stuff! Stay tuned, I’ll post some pictures too!
Cheers!

 

[Peter A]

I will definitely post my experience with it. I pick up the boat next week. The dealership is going to take me out for a day and show me how everything works. That’s great advice on being able to maneuver without the joystick. I’m a pilot, so that makes perfect sense to me. We have to learn how to hand fly before we learn how to use the automatic stuff! Stay tuned, I’ll post some pictures too!
Cheers!

Cool, have fun, for an aviation pilot getting the feel of a boat should be quick uptake.

 

[Fish Hunter]

Anchor Point, I am sorry that I did not get on this thread sooner but was out of town for a while and just saw it. I have a 2023 GW Freedom 235 with the full mobility package on a Yamaha 300 HP motor. I have fished mostly inshore in the Chesapeake Bay so far but hope to get out in the Atlantic nearshore this year. By-the-way, I am also a pilot and agree that your flying experience will help with autopilot use, etc. but not much with fishold unless you were flying a chopper (LOL). I think that you will love the system. The autopilot is as good as was the one on my 210 and in my boat will do anything that I want although here in the Chesapeake I don't use it anywhere as I did on my 210 due to the large number of crab pots in the bay. The joystick is fantastic to use when you get the hang of it. It makes docking a single engine boat very easy. Fishpoint and staypoint work well although the large engine does move quite a lot and you have to be at the joystick if it loses its hold and you will likely not be there while fishing. That results in some consternation that could be remedied with a remote like with an electric trolling motor. On the other hand you will not have the weight of the batteries necessary for an electric motor. When using fishpoint you do need to set it up and determine whether you want bow or stern into the wind or tidal flow. The system as a whole also does a great job of watching fuel usage, engine performance, etc. as good as the system that you may be familiar with in an airplane. I am happy with the system on my boat and I have about 400 hours on the system as of this date. I also keep hearing rumors that a remote may be available soon but try as I can, I can't seem to find any info on a remote yet. If they do get one, it will make the system much much more user friendly.

Good luck with your new boat!!!

 

[Anchor Point]

Anchor Point, I am sorry that I did not get on this thread sooner but was out of town for a while and just saw it. I have a 2023 GW Freedom 235 with the full mobility package on a Yamaha 300 HP motor. I have fished mostly inshore in the Chesapeake Bay so far but hope to get out in the Atlantic nearshore this year. By-the-way, I am also a pilot and agree that your flying experience will help with autopilot use, etc. but not much with fishold unless you were flying a chopper (LOL). I think that you will love the system. The autopilot is as good as was the one on my 210 and in my boat will do anything that I want although here in the Chesapeake I don't use it anywhere as I did on my 210 due to the large number of crab pots in the bay. The joystick is fantastic to use when you get the hang of it. It makes docking a single engine boat very easy. Fishpoint and staypoint work well although the large engine does move quite a lot and you have to be at the joystick if it loses its hold and you will likely not be there while fishing. That results in some consternation that could be remedied with a remote like with an electric trolling motor. On the other hand you will not have the weight of the batteries necessary for an electric motor. When using fishpoint you do need to set it up and determine whether you want bow or stern into the wind or tidal flow. The system as a whole also does a great job of watching fuel usage, engine performance, etc. as good as the system that you may be familiar with in an airplane. I am happy with the system on my boat and I have about 400 hours on the system as of this date. I also keep hearing rumors that a remote may be available soon but try as I can, I can't seem to find any info on a remote yet. If they do get one, it will make the system much much more user friendly.

Good luck with your new boat!!!

Wow! Thank you for the advice! Much appreciated! I picked up the boat last Thursday and took it out for a spin. I do like the joystick for docking. It seemed a little easier than turning the helm. I have a lot to learn, but I think the learning curve will be steep. I’ll keep an eye out for a remote as well.
BTW I went to High School in Waldorf and I spent some time with sailing in Annapolis with my Naval Academy friends! I love the Chesapeake waters! Good luck this season on your Freedom!
Cheers!