Don’t get me more pissed than I already am! I finished this article once and it disappeared into the computer “Never, Never Land.” So here I go again!
It seems that the traditional ship’s wheel is under attack. I can’t believe I have to address such a historic traditional way of steering your vessel being questioned. Before the ship’s wheel, boats were basically controlled by a stick in the water at the stem of the boat. Ok! I know. Today we call it a “Tiller.” But then some forgotten maritime genius around 1700 AD came up with the idea of attaching ropes and pulleys from a rudder to a wheel that could control the direction of the vessel from a remote location, now called “The Pilot’s Station”. Pure genius! Now ships have much more direct control and quicker response than a tiller.
The ship’s wheel became an object of pride and was always polished and the entire system well maintained for over 300 years has been the most heralded part of the ship. It also became a tacky decoration in every beach house (I have two.) and a mediocre seafood restaurant on every coast in the world! Yet, it is more than that. When you are on your vessel and have your hand on the wheel it gives you the feeling of control. It’s solid and takes some effort to turn but you know how it will respond because you feel it. Because it is so tactile you have to be aware of everything around you and gives you an inner feeling that you are one with the wheel and the rudder. It’s almost a holy thing and when something is holy you just don’t ——— mess with it! I know that Joshua Slocum, Admiral Perry, Admiral Nelson, and Commodore Vanderbilt would totally agree with me except that they are all dead and there’s a new world out there. Welcome to the new way of piloting your boat-The Joystick! Even the name makes me queasy! How do we go from “Ship’s Wheel” which gives you a sense of strength and command to “Joystick” which sounds tiny and toy-like? “Captain Kidd! Quick! Use the “Joystick”! We must come around and hit that Royal Braque with another broadside volley and escape. What? It’s not responding. Damn! We’re done!” That would never happen with a ship’s wheel.
The joystick has been around in infant experimental forms since the 1920s. The Germans put it to use on anti-ship missiles in 1944, but they lost the war anyway. Joystick piloting on pleasure boats began in 1988 by Hinckley but was limited to its waterjet boats. In 2006 Volvo was aboard with it and soon after it spread to boat and maritime engine manufacturers all over the world. Now there’s no stopping it and naturally as with all new technology there are both positive and negative aspects of joysticks. But first, you have to open your mind which will be a first for me.
Since I have no physical experience with one, I consulted with my friend, Captain Jay Tavalaro who knows these systems well. The joystick gives the vessel more maneuverability. There is no dispute there. You can spin the boat on its axis. You can maintain your position when linked to your positioning system. The joystick gives you instant control over forward, reverse, and any degree of side-to-side movement. It takes all the stress out of docking or moving in tight mooring areas. They can operate with your bow boosters. There’s no reason to panic and you can still use your ship wheel in addition to or without the joystick at all. They are now being integrated into outboard systems. So, what’s not to like right?
Firstly, all this technology on pleasure boats can easily succumb to our corrosive saltwater environment. Secondly, they are very expensive to repair, and you may have to wait for replacement chips, etc., to arrive.
Thirdly, joystick control may put you into a false sense of piloting security on your vessel because of the ease of operation and that is a clear and present danger if you ignore that feeling.
Fourthly is this, and you must pay attention here! It is extremely important, I repeat, extremely important, to give this serious consideration when debating whether you will stay with the traditional wheel or move into joystick operation. This is the deciding factor for me. I just cannot possibly entertain the thought of decorating a beach house or seafood restaurant with joysticks on the wall!
Copyright 2024 by Mark C. Nuccio All rights reserved.