Please select your home edition
Edition
Barton Marine Pipe Glands

Yanmar Joystick Control makes boating easier

by Sonia Appla on 13 Nov 2014
Micheal Mastry at the helm activating Yanmar’s Joystick Control unit. Sonia Appla
Brisbane surgeon Micheal Mastry is a recreational boater who appreciates the very finest in life. Not only does he own a stunning 43’ Nor-Tech Monte Carlo, but the twin Yanmar 8LV powered sports boat is the first in Australia to be fitted with the new Yanmar Joystick Control System.

Boasting an offshore race boat pedigree, the Nor-Tech Monte Carlo is a US designed and manufactured opulent day boat. The hull is narrow, a deep vee, sleek and obviously fast. The cockpit features an abundance of plush seating and situated squarely in the centre is a two person helm.

This is a boat that looks right at home on the waterways of Florida. On the dock in Brisbane it’s a complete knockout and certainly turns heads whenever Micheal Mastry heads out onto the water.


'I use my Monte Carlo for pleasure boating around Moreton Bay,' said Micheal. 'A lot of the time I’m by myself. So handling and manoeuvrability, especially docking at home on the canals, is quite important for me.'

With the pair of Yanmar 8LV diesel engines driving ZT370 Yanmar drive legs, the bonus for Micheal Mastry was having the new Yanmar Joystick Control System, installed as a factory fitted option.


The Yanmar Joystick Control System provides boaters with an easy and smooth docking system. It can literally move the boat sideways across the water, to provide parallel docking. As an added benefit, the boat can also go through a 360° turn within its own length. Moreover, it is the only system on the market that delivers high performance joystick control at reasonable cost.

The Yanmar Joystick Control System is designed to operate exclusively with a package of dual Yanmar 8LV diesel engines and the Yanmar ZT370 drive legs. The match of hydraulic clutch and the vibration free V8 Yanmar 8LV makes this system a breeze to operate.

'The system is simple to operate, much like a video game,' said Micheal Mastry. 'With the single control unit on the dash I can move the boat in any direction, without the aid of a bow thruster or stern thrusters.'

'When coming up to the dock I disengage the clutch system and engage the joystick system. If it is blowing hard I will use a fast mode. If it’s a lighter wind I will use slow mode. Almost immediately the legs tend to move out 20° from each other and point the joystick in the direction I would like the boat to move.'

'It took an hour or so to learn how to use the system, and it gets easier every day.'

The Yanmar Joystick Control System is available for all Yanmar 8LV dual engine installations, and has both recreational and commercial applications. It is easily installed into new builds, and can also be retro fitted into exiting vessels, subject to selected engineering criteria.

Once the big Nortec Monte Carlo has left the dock and idled out on to Moreton Bay, Micheal Mastry is able to open up the throttles and enjoy the spirited performance of his boat. The top speed is approximately 52 knots or just short of 100 km/h an impressive speed for a boat of this size. Comfortable cruising is enjoyed anywhere between 25 knots through to 40 knots, and according to Micheal Mastry, the fuel efficiency is the same at 35 knots as it is at 45 knots.

Power Equipment is the exclusive and authorised Australian, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and South Pacific Distributor of Yanmar Marine and Industrial diesel engines, JCB DieselMax, MASE diesel marine generators, Gori high quality folding sailboat propellers, PSS Shaft Seals and Arctic Steel products.

Maritimo M50Vaikobi 2024 DecemberExposure Marine

Related Articles

2025 Tiedemann Regatta
Experience shines alongside the brightwork at the Nw York Yacht Club A century ago, R Class yachts were the sports cars of the yachting world, sleek and low to the ground, nimble in the corners and quick around the course, and, above all, demanding to drive.
Posted today at 1:44 am
2025 Marion to Bermuda Race - Trophy time
Recognizing the outstanding achievements of the sailors Thank you to everyone who made the 2025 Marion to Bermuda Race such a memorable success! We're thrilled to recognize the outstanding achievements of our sailors with this year's special awards, which were presented at last night's prize-giving and Gala.
Posted today at 1:39 am
Foiling Week Malcesine 2025 concludes
Champions crowned and records set during the twelfth edition The twelfth edition of Foiling Week came to an end today in Malcesine with the awarding of the first BirdyFish World Championship title, showing the largest fleet ever for the occasion.
Posted on 29 Jun
Team Malizia starts Course Des Caps
Challenging race around the British Isles Team Malizia set sail today from Boulogne-sur-Mer, kicking off the inaugural Course des Caps race in light winds and challenging conditions with a solid start.
Posted on 29 Jun
Holcim-PRB set off on the Course des Caps
With Nicolas Lunven, Franck Cammas, Annemieke Bes, Alan Roberts, and onboard reporter Anne Beauge Today at 2:00 PM (French time), the IMOCA Holcim-PRB set off on the Course des Caps Boulogne sur Mer - Banque Populaire du Nord, a challenging route of over 2,000 nautical miles around the British Isles.
Posted on 29 Jun
America's Cup: Confidential settlement reached
(Updated) A confidential settlement reached over five year Cup legal claims. Confidential settlement reached between the America's Cup team Emirates Team New Zealand and their formerly contracted Event Managers, Mayo & Calder, and others associated with the company. But what of Mainstream Media's role in the affair?
Posted on 29 Jun
J/70 Mixed-Plus Worlds at Lake Garda Overall
Winners crowned at inaugural event, hosted by Circolo Vela Torbole It's hard to imagine a better debut for the inaugural J/70 Mixed-Plus World Championship, held in the iconic sailing venue of Torbole on Lake Garda in Italy.
Posted on 29 Jun
Kieler Woche Day 10
Seven nations celebrate victories at the finale On the final sailing day of Kieler Woche 2025, there were beaming faces all around the Olympic Centre in Schilksee. Eleven decisions were made on Sunday and alongside Germany, Denmark, France, GB, Malta, Sweden, & Hungary were able to celebrate victories.
Posted on 29 Jun
Dan Turner prepares for Mini Globe Race 2025 Leg 3
Sailing aboard his homebuilt yacht, Immortal Game, Dan has navigated treacherous ocean conditions South Australian sailor Dan Turner finished in 2nd place and is now preparing to embark on the third leg of the Mini Globe Race 2025 — a gruelling solo circumnavigation challenge for sailors in compact 5.8-metre yachts.
Posted on 29 Jun
Awesome sailing in California Offshore Race Week
J/Teams participated in all three events with some with amazing results The annual start of the offshore racing circuit in California has been the California Offshore Race Week.
Posted on 29 Jun