GPS ANCHORING ADD-ONTO ITS OPTIMUS 360 JOYSTICK CONTROL SYSTEM
Advanced Technology Allows Boaters To Hold Position, Heading Or Both
Litchfield, Ill. October 4, 2016
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Maintaining a stationary position while on the water presents numerous challenges for any captain, especially when fishing. SeaStar Solutions’ amazing new SeaStation™ GPS anchoring system meets those challenges head- on with the simple push of a button. What could be easier?
SeaStation is an add -on system to SeaStar’s state of the art Optimus 360 joystick control system. SeaStation’s dual antenna GPS sensor provides input to the Optimus 360 controls to automatically hold a vessel’s position, heading – or both, depending upon the need.
Newly developed software and smart algorithms most efficiently control shifting and throttle, as well as engine position, to maintain
a designated position on the water. To keep these adjustments smooth and passengers comfortable, the algorithms are designed to minimize engine shifting, engine rpm and steering movement. The captain can further reduce SeaStation’s throttle and shift adjustments by favorably positioning the boat with regard to wind and/or current in order to take advantage of natural forces.
SeaStation affords the captain three distinct modes (patent pending) of operation.
1. Position Mode
Setting up on an underwater reef, rock or wreck typically requires several steps, including gauging wind and current in order to drop anchor in just the right spot to then drift back over the reef or rock. When wind and current are going in opposite directions, it’s practically impossible to hold a good spot for fishing, even using an anchor.
In the “position hold” mode, the boat will hold its position as it maintains its natural heading given wind and current. In other words, the boat will hold position, but its heading may change as it is affected by wind or current, resulting in less work by the engines and steering system.
2. Heading Mode
Drift fishing is another challenging example. When wind and current are at odds, the boat will tend to drift and spin, making it difficult for the fishermen on board to keep lines straight as they move around from port to starboard and back again. The same holds true for kite fishing. When the boat spins and drifts , kite lines get tangled. In other words, it gets messy in short order.
In the “heading hold” mode, SeaStation will hold the designated course heading.The boat holds its course heading, with the bow pointed in the heading direction, while allowing the vessel to drift with wind and/or current.
3. Heading And Position Mode
The “heading and position” mode will hold a boat in one spot without spin or drift. This mode will be particularly useful when fishing around a buoy or other fixed structure, or while waiting for a bridge to open or for a spot to open up at the dock.
SeaStar’s proven Optimus 360 joystick control system for boats with twin, triple or quad outboard motors is at the heart of the new SeaStation feature. Optimus 360 provides forward, reverse, diagonal and even sideways boat movement via input from a joystick controller. When combined with a compatible autopilot, Optimus 360 also provides directional control based on autopilot/GPS input. SeaStation expands on this capability by controlling steering and thrust to maintain a specific position, countering the effects of current and wind.
SeaStation’s dual antenna GPS interfaces directly with the Optimus 360 system via a devicenet CAN harness.
Installation by an authorized SeaStar Optimus installer or OEM is required. Once installed, a sea trial may be
needed to fine tune the system to assure optimal control and performance. SeaStation should not be engaged if people are swimming, diving or anywhere in the water around the boat.
For more information on SeaStar Solution’s SeaStation virtual anchoring system, Optimus 360, Optimus EPS, or
any of SeaStar Solutions’ full range of steering and control products, please visit www.seastarsolutions.com.