Dockmate, Yacht Controller, etc.....

Have you used Dockmate? Or just insulting it as a curmudgeon. lol. I haven't used it but have used Yacht Controller extensively and find it to be excellent and would never label it a thingy. It was my understanding that Dockmate was competitive with it.

Our Hatteras 80' has the Yacht Controller. It's unbelievable. For one, no need to open those crusty looking old fashioned controls on the back of the boat.

I just asked if you had used the product you're demeaning. You now say that Dockmate and Yacht Controller are not in the same league and imply you've opened them and examined how they're built. If so, could you share and elaborate on your findings. I'm hoping to gain knowledge from you and calling something a "thingy" doesn't give me that. I have already admitted that I've never used Dockmate but they're being talked up here as an equivalent to Yacht Controller by others including the forum owner. If that comparison is unreasonable, I'd love to hear more. I respect your opinion and the curmudgeon comment was meant as humor if you didn't have more direct knowledge. No, I have not opened either of the remotes or receivers but I've used Yacht Controller extensively and the components and parts have been carefully evaluated by my chief engineer who has the knowledge to do so. I'm still assuming you have some information or knowledge we can all benefit from and just trying to get you to share it.

It's helpful to all of us to get insight into the basis of opinions rather than just labels of products.

I don’t think curmudgeon is an insult. I know a lot of very nice curmudgeons, and aspire to be one someday!

On reflection, I wonder if control of the rudder is as important with a remote as it is at a fixed helm? My assumption is that one would dock the boat with the main controls, and use the remote to hold it in place, as well as to make small final adjustments. In any case, very little water would be flowing around the rudder. If one is still going faster, one should probably be at the helm.
Best,
Maldwin

Well, why don't you share your observations as to what you saw when you took them apart.

That's fair...just be bother, but not be bothered.

You referred to the discussion of Dockmate vs. Yacht Controller on an electronics forum. Since Mapism also alludes to issues with the electronics of Dockmate, could you share some of that discussion with us here? Perhaps just give us the gist of the arguments. It would be great to read.

You referred to the discussion of Dockmate vs. Yacht Controller on an electronics forum. Since Mapism also alludes to issues with the electronics of Dockmate, could you share some of that discussion with us here? Perhaps just give us the gist of the arguments. It would be great to read.

What you wrote is correct for what you meant.

I have. A remote control yacht controller or dockmate are useless on that boat as you only get in gear or out of gear (no throttle) and thrusters. Putting a Nordhavn 43' in gear gives you literally almost no movement. You need thottle and a good amount of it for it to move from a dead stop and even more to respond to rudder. You're better off with a fixed remote throttle and a job stick w/ display for the rudder on that particular style boat.

The principals of that forum have used and liked Dockmate. As memory serves they are also familiar with Yacht Controller and like that system as well. Other people, some employed by one or the other company repeat some of the negative advertising about each other. My point was simply that they would be better off talking about their attributes rather than tearing each other down.

I agree with your handling description of an N43, but Dockmate does offer throttle control

I understand that, but I live my life wireless and just really have no more hesitation using a wireless controller on the side deck than using a wired station.

The problem is there are SO MANY other different wireless RF devices and only so many frequencies on a yacht, that sometimes you do get interference. I've had a remote control docking device do strange things before. Friends of mine have. Another friend on start up when the boat was launched, boat went into full throttle forward in the haulout slip and hit the seawall doing a good bit of damage while still in the slings.

If they could be as reliable as they should be, don't you think with their billions in R+D, rexroth, zf, sturdy, glenndenning and the other big engine control players would have come out with them by now?