About Axius and Skyhook

TonyG13TonyG13 Member Posts: 1,325 ✭✭✭✭
in Rinker Express Cruisers Forum
Just completed purchase of a 2014 310 EC last week - new to Rinker and the forum - but have been reading through as much as we can here to learn from the best! :-)

My question:

When activating and using Skyhook, how much noise can be expected?

The few times I've activated it to test and see how it performs, it sure seems to make a bunch of (for lack of a better description) clunking, grumbling, and generally weird noises.

Is this normal as the props shift and move to keep the boat in place?

Thanks! And glad to be a Rinker owner.
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Comments

  • aero3113aero3113 Member Posts: 9,042 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Welcome to the forum! 
    When you activate Skyhook does it seem like it is working correctly and holding your position? I don’t think the noises you are hearing are normal but I could be wrong. I’ve never been on a boat with this option, have only seen videos of it working.
    2008 330EC
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  • aero3113aero3113 Member Posts: 9,042 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Here’s a quick video

    https://youtu.be/SbOL_CSuXTk
    2008 330EC
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  • TonyG13TonyG13 Member Posts: 1,325 ✭✭✭✭
    Thanks! I've not seen that particular video. Just wish it had audio on the engine sounds so I could compare how mine sounds compared to others. I think what I'm hearing is normal, but it's a bit disconcerting when there are numerous gear shifts and whirring prop sounds - and you're not touching anything.

    I think it'll take some getting used to a computer controlling things instead of my brain and hands.
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  • Michael TMichael T Member Posts: 7,227 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Yeah it is friggin; noisy.

    Clunk bang boom.

    Had Axius  Premium Skyhook with my 2013 EC 310 and 2014 EC 360....same deal.

    NO HARM to your drives as this is all computer controlled.

    I checked with a Mercruiser 5 star technician and area Axius specialist in May 2013 and with Mercruiser USA. They all said don't worry enjoy it.....and I did.

    Remember #1 rule with Axius (on ANY boat) it takes about 3 seconds for the mechanical components to execute a command from the computer - so super rapid commands will just cancel each other out. Give the mechanicals time to catch-up.

    There should be a number of posts in this forum's archives regarding the operation of Axius.
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  • TonyG13TonyG13 Member Posts: 1,325 ✭✭✭✭
    Awesome! At least now I won't feel as nervous when I hear all those shocking sounds coming from the stern.

    Thanks for the advice regarding command response.

    I've only used it twice so far, at the gas dock and going into our slip - and both times I went super-slow and was quite impressed, especially moving laterally.

    Big difference from docking our previous boat, a 24' 1994 Maxum with a single-screw. That could be a white-knuckle experience at times.

    The other thing I need to get used to is going from a 100% analog and mechanical system to Space Shuttle technology  :)
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  • Handymans342Handymans342 Member Posts: 10,375 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I thought they had that already using a remote?
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  • Michael TMichael T Member Posts: 7,227 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Yes Al "auto dock"s amazing and will get approved one of these days. It has been held-up by legal concerns as to how to ensure a fail safe over ride if someone gets between the dock and the boat and gets injured.

    Skyhook came with my Axius premium and was really nice when waiting at the entrance to locks where there were cross currents etc. or in a windy fairway with traffic stalled to some boater being unable to get into his slip..... it always held the boat right on the spot.

    There are remotes available. I believe the "dock assist" used by a lot of the 40+ footers has remotes.
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