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Mercruiser's Zeus Pods technology is awesome ! Wondering if this kind of technology is going to trickle down to small trailerable boats too?

Submitted by John Howerton on August 18, 2011

General

If only someone could create a "Skyhook" GPS holding feature on something like a Tracker Targa V-18 DC or a fat cumbersome pontoon boat that gets fished daily in high winds and current... now that would be "THE STUFF" !! I know it would take two engines and drives, unless something "new" was made/created for such an application. Any word on such a technology coming to small fishing boats instead of just high zoot, expensive yacht type boats ? I hope so... I'd much rather just push a skyhook button rather than deal with drift socks and anchors on my windy New Mexico lakes I fish weekly. Thanks for any input. -JMH

Answers

answers (5)

by Kevin Falvey submitted 1 year 39 weeks

Question:

Mercruiser's Zeus Pods technology is awesome ! Wondering if this kind of technology is going to trickle down to small trailerable boats too?

Hi John

You can get similar functionality with the sterndrive joystick technology available from both Mercruiser and Volvo Penta. Twin engines. So yes "large" trailerable boats. But 18-footers? Would be nice, but the cost increase, as a percentage of the total price of a small boat, probably makes it unfeasible, At least in the near term.

Kevin

by John Howerton submitted 1 year 39 weeks

Question:

Mercruiser's Zeus Pods technology is awesome ! Wondering if this kind of technology is going to trickle down to small trailerable boats too?

Thanks Kevin. I know there's trailerable boats with the joystick controls now a days... but it's the "Skyhook" GPS holding function that intrigues me, and I'm not sure if any other manufactures make such a "holding" feature or not. I can't tell you enough about how such a feature would help me out on my windy and current ridden lakes I fish ! I've also read that Mercury/Mercruiser is working on a joystick operating system on bigger express/fishing cruisers outfitted with triple or quad outboards, and am wondering if they'll have a holding feature as well ? Still working on the dream of owning that Intrepid 475SY... might end a 24yr marriage unless money falls from Heaven 'cause I'm looking into selling everything we own !! LOL CHEERS

by Kevin Falvey submitted 1 year 39 weeks

Question:

Mercruiser's Zeus Pods technology is awesome ! Wondering if this kind of technology is going to trickle down to small trailerable boats too?

Man after me own heart! LOL

by John Howerton submitted 1 year 39 weeks

Question:

Mercruiser's Zeus Pods technology is awesome ! Wondering if this kind of technology is going to trickle down to small trailerable boats too?

Wow Kevin... have you seen Seven Marine's new 557 outboard motors and Intrepid's partnership ? Amazing ! I watched a video where they were mounting two of them on a 37ft cudy and was expecting 80+ mph ! Got me wondering how fast that big 475SY will go with 3 of them.... Plus they have joystick controls as well. Super quality boats and high tech monster outboards... Cool stuff !