Remote Control?

Hi there,

Try this link first:
Remote Control for Thrusters - YachtForums.Com

Regarding reliability, it is not only the controller but the boat and the skipper, it sure does take fun out of boating along with the stress and hassle some face on the water, other than showing it to others or having friends use it when they are commanding my vessel, I have used it to dock only once, am kinda old fashion thinking that even a bow thruster is a toy, and part of me knows that when the "browns hit the fan" you are only left with your personal competence and manual proficiency! If you want to run your boat short handed or want less pressure and better view while docking go ahead, it is nice and it works.

Price depends on many factors differing from one manufacturer to the other, are your engines electronic? or will you require a servo unit to do the work? How good your boat in transferring the radio frequency? Two way units are better then one way ones obviously because they have better response time.

Don't take any one's word, this is a toy that can damage your and others property along with your ego! Check the products available around your boating area so you know that you will have future support if you buy one, then go and have a live demo, they will surely have a vessel equipped for demonstration, go over each and every detail of the installation starting from the control box in the engine room, check what happens if while you are using it someone engages the throttles at another station, or check what happens if it stops working, will you be able to reach fast to the helm and override the controller and gain positive control? test the range by moving the boat from the dock (the range will show you how good the signal can be), how long does the batteries serve? How easy are they to change? Does the unit float? after taking water and floating, will it still function? Controls engines, bow thruster, stern thruster, anchor? Warranty?

These units run in very low speeds so they are somewhat safe.

Yacht Controller (Italian Designed and Built, US company, the most common controller on yachts, looks nice, water resistant & floating, claims of range up to 300', used it on an Azimut 75 FBMY for 42 minutes showing it to friends with no down time)
Docking Master (US product, best looking, heard a rumor they are being acquired by Yacht Controller)
Astel Yacht Controller (Ugly looking, used on lots of boats)
Kwant Control (Dutch built, information on the web looks good)
Cavotec (Custom made industrial grade wireless for ANYTHING!)

Sorry for the long post and hope this was useful.

Cheers,