I had a bad experience with the “Yacht Controller”, docking a 43 foot vessel. The vessel got stock in forward when I least expected it, lost my balance and fell into the water with the control in my hand the engine (port) continued running…the boat continued running forward Just tied to the spring line which saved me from even bigger damages. I stopped both engines secured all lines and started the vessel again, finding the port side engine still in gear. I called the company to get help after this inconvenience happened more than six times; never got an answer.

When my boss purchase a 72 Uniesse marine, we saw this new product Docking Master, we took a chance and got it install. It has been over 2 years and we’d moved the same unit to a Cabo and now we have it on our new 98 ft La Vida that I have docked dozens of times, with only 1 Deck Hand. This product gives me Outstanding Responds and piece of mind.

… after over 30 years piloting boats of all sizes and shapes using two way radios, sometimes waiting for the man posted in the aft end to either scream, or hit the side of boat indicating for me to stop; when I got handed by the owner of the Yacht this thing shaped like a boat. He asked: “have you seen or used this remote maneuvering control?” I smile and ask what can you maneuver with this? He said: “you can be any place away from the helm and control both engines plus bow and stern thrusters, it’s like having the entire helm station in your hand. The first time I used it, I was no more than 5ft from the helm, second time I stood on the far end of the fly bridge some 25ft away. Since then I have never docked the 72 ft’ Uniesse, Bellisima from the fly bridge helm station.

I consider Docking Master to be a stress relief tool.

I have been using the Docking Master for about a year and one-half now and it has been a real asset. Typically my crew is just myself and my able mate, so having access to the engines and thrusters while docking or undocking is like having an extra pair of hands on board. The Docking Master makes anchoring a breeze. You are able to tend the anchor and position the boat single handed. The remote box itself is perfect for the marine environment. Its design allows immediate recognition of where the bow is at all times and reduces the inevitable screw ups by the operator. It also includes a neck lanyard for safe keeping and should it head for the drink, it floats, making retrieval possible. You will quickly find yourself reaching for the remote when ever maneuvering of you boat is required. As you can tell I am sold.”

I have nothing but rousing praise for Jose, and his Docking Master. Jose has been available to me 24/7, and I have called him on two occasions since taking commission of my boat last June. On one I interrupted his dinner meal, and he solved my issue in minutes. I had lost my prop!!! In Yarmouth, Nova Scotia. It wasn't the Docking Master at all. As a single hander managing a 44' catamaran I can't imagine doing what I have without it. In less than a year I've covered over six thousand miles from the west coast of Florida to Halifax, Nova Scotia, and now going through the Caribbean. I have said too many that it's the wisest purchase I made for my boat.

It has impressed many who have watched me approach a mooring, or a dock. As an aside I was approaching a mooring in Annapolis this last fall. As I picked up the mooring ball's line 6 different boat's crews, that had been watching my approach to the ball broke out in applause, and shouted invitations to "come over for a drink," saying "we've never seen such a smooth, unblemished approach come over and tell us about it!!" I just shouted at them, "that's the Docking Master's way!!"

Docking master has been an excellent investment on my 59 Marquis Carver "Desert Mirage". It allows me to maneuver in and out of slips with ease as the visibility and freedom to move around the deck is a great help. The controls are easy to use and very responsive. I would recommend the unit and am very pleased I purchased it.

After viewing and being briefed on the Wireless Docking Master System that had been installed onboard the new yacht I was taking over, I was (as most captains I believe would be) skeptical at best.

The thought of turning close to 3,400 horsepower over to a handheld, wireless remote control that is slightly larger than an average cell phone seemed very questionable.

Especially since this was a brand new 2005 72 ft. Uniesse Motoryacht that had just been launched.  New to myself and I had not even taken her off the dock yet.

Jose Rodriguez was the installer/sales rep who was with me gave me a hands on 5 min. briefing in the use of the remote actually engaging the main engines in forward & reverse and bow & stern thrusters while we were tied up to the dock. After feeling confident in the signal strengths and the ability of the docking master to perform its duties we “booted up” the yacht and prepared to drop lines and get under way. The first time out I “bumped” the main engines (Cat C-32’s) port and starboard “in and out”, activating bow and stern thrusters as necessary.

The control that I had, allowed me a docking tolerance of 6 inches to 1 ft. One of the very best features was that I could be away from the helm in a position where I could fully view either side of the boat, bow to stern.  In a yacht that does not have wing stations or with poor helm visibility this is invaluable.

Precision control, unreal!!

After continuous docking for 8 months in Florida, the Bahamas, Chesapeake Bay and New England under every circumstance, wind, current, etc.  I have full confidence in the wireless docking system.

• The unit worked anywhere on the yacht
• The unit is powerful and well built
• The unit cannot lock the boat in a drive mode
• The unit is always overridden by the main controls       

Anchoring and mooring balls were a breeze.  I could sit on the bow, unlock, drop anchor, maneuver bow to port or starboard, back up, lay out chain and set the hook.  Retrieval was just as easy. My 8 month full time experience with the Docking Master unit was excellent.  I found it to be a great tool and an asset to the operations of the boat.  I would highly recommend this system to any owner or captain.