www.iFourWinns.com

Hello.
I want to know your experience of this joy stick ?

You won't find much here. Head over to boatered.com for some reviews. I'm hoping to try it out this summer but I've heard nothing but great things about the pods.

is this an aftermarket item or did it come with the boat? I am pretty new to them myself but was curius if it was an add on item?

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1999 298 Vista [color=#FF0000]Sold!!!
twin Volvo 5.7GXI

Woody: Pour you a beer, Mr. Peterson?
Norm: Alright, but stop me at one...make that one-thirty

Google 'IPS'. It's a propulsion system becoming popular on yachts 40'+

I'm familiar with them on new boats, I was just curious if there was a way to install this aftermarket. Not that I have the money to do it more just curious. They seem to almost come standard now.

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1999 298 Vista [color=#FF0000]Sold!!!
twin Volvo 5.7GXI

Woody: Pour you a beer, Mr. Peterson?
Norm: Alright, but stop me at one...make that one-thirty

Joysticks are a standard component in boats powered with IPS or Zeus Pod Drive systems. They are also used in Mercruiser's Axius system (independently articulating outdrives) and Volvo's similar system which is just coming to the market. Meridian uses a joystock with their 'Docking On Command' system which coordinates the standard inboard or V-Drives with bow and stern thrusters for greater control in close quarters, somewhat emulating the maneuverability of Pods. The picture shown is for Volvo's IPS systems (an option on the Four Winns V378 and standard on the V435 and V475).

The only way to install one aftermarket would be to re-power a boat with one of the above-mentioned drive systems. I recently read an article where an older boat was refitted with Pods. As you would guess, it's extraordinarily expensive to do and hardly worth it against the option of buying one already outfitted with Pods. While several boats already on the market adapted to Pods as they proliferated (the V378 among them), new Pod boats are designed around the drive system to maximize the benefits they bring.

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Previously:
2008 V358/Volvo 5.7 GXi Inboards

Volvo revealed the IPS back in 2004, FW offered it on there boats shortly after, Doral in 2006. Merc took a few more years to release there version.

I have not experienced the set up, but have talked with friend that has, he was very impressed!
Do not believe that I will ever own a boat large enough to accommodate this set up. Would be very nice!

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2000 248 5.7L DP
'92, '94 SXI 750, '08 STX 15F, '12 Ultra LX 300
Videos

I got to play with one in open water last year. Even "Juan the Boat Renter" could drive a 35 footer with that thing. They are very nice. It is not something that can be retro'd into a standard boat. (not cant, but it would be cheaper to buy a new yatch)

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Saw these bolt on bow and stern thrusters advertised in a boat mag, pricey!
http://www.sideshift.com

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2007 Horizon 200
4.3L GXi/ SX 225 HP

Joystick Control Boat informed of Axius and Zeus, the two most modern and efficient drive systems for large pleasure boats. The Volvo Penta IPS Joystick system uses the diesel engine and drive units.

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

Love It, Admiral Loves It, would never own another boat without it! Easy to use, have had no problems (yet...) and is truely very good for tight space maneuvers!!

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2008 378 Vista
"Not 2 SHABI"
IPS 500 Volvo-Penta D6

Previously
'06 318 Vista
'97 258 Vista
'98 195 Sundowner
'87 180 Horizon

My boss has the Axius system on his boat (Sea Ray) and I wouldnt be in a hurry to get one. He doesn't use it. Its never worked correctly and his computer locks up periodically when docking which freezes his controls until the boat is turned off / restarted. Inconvenient to say the least! Mercruiser spent a whole day working on it and still never found the problem. I wonder who pays when the boat smashes into something? I'll bet it wont be Merc..

Too rich for me!