Towing made easy – by Mercury MerCruiser
by Bob Wonders on 11 May 2008
Smart Tow gauges deliver all the right information to the ski boat driver, making pulling out of the hole a simple task. - Towing made easy SW
It has been described as 'a unique marriage' of electronic control and pulling power and it means ski boat drivers need no longer learn the complex art of hauling a skier ‘out of the hole.’
Working hand-in-glove with Mercury Marine’s SmartCraft Digital Throttle and Shift (DTS), this new technology, designated Smart Tow and Smart Tow Pro, combines two new features in one easy to use system.
What sets Smart Tow apart is its Launch Control feature, which allows drivers to select the ideal ‘Tow Profile’ for the person to be hauled from the water. Ranging from Profile 1 (Easy) to Profile 5 (Slalom), the acceleration and RPM overshoot remain smooth, consistent and automatic; the driver’s hands need never leave the wheel.
Smart Tow Pro also allows custom profile programs to be installed for individual users.
When the acceleration is finalised, the Cruise Control feature comes into its own, delivering consistent speed on the water, whether towing a skier or simply out cruising.
Smart Tow operates at any speed above idle, while Smart Tow Pro can also be programmed for a particular speed thanks to the inclusion of GPS technology. In effect, Smart Tow makes all drivers experienced drivers.
Described as 'the perfect partners' for the Smart Tow technology, the MerCruiser Scorpion inboard engines are designed and built to deliver perfect pulling power.
The new Scorpion 350 with DTS provides 330hp through a ZF 45C transmission. It not only offers fly by wire throttle, but also has full electronic shifting characteristics. To suit the growing V-Drive market, the DTS 350 Scorpion incorporates the ever-reliable Water V-drive.
Although it offers the brute force of V8 power, the 350 Scorpion is also ‘ultra-green’, producing virtually zero carbon monoxide, thanks to MerCruisers new catalytic exhaust that was designed to meet the USA’s tough emission regulations.
Standard engine monitoring functions when connected to Smart Tow include fuel flow, Engine Guardian, fuel used and distance-to-empty. The Scorpion engines are available with Mercury Marine’s three-year warranty, which can be extended to six-years with the company’s product protection.
For further information visit the website, www.mercurymarine.com.au
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