AXIUS Drive H/W & S/W Updates Announced

ANYTIME

ANYTIME

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Dec 3, 2006
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Northern Virginia
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I received a call from Prince William Marina today to let me know that MERCRUISER is releasing their AXIUS Drive updates next Tuesday, 12 August 08.

The updates include a replacement Control Pad to replace the existing Control Pad (note the Joystick is not being changed) and software then enables the AUTOTRACK and SKYHOOK features.

PWM will call me to make an appointment when the Mercury Rep is available to make the update on ANYTIME.

I will update this thread as I learn more.
 
..my dealer buddy also told me that the switchover will include a bunch of safety stickers to be placed on the vessel as part of the upgrade..
 
Nice... let us know how the skyhook works, I am very interested, it sounds pretty cool.
 
Hey Sam,

Can you give us a update on skyhook?

The person doing the software is from Oshkosh WI.



I’m familiar with the skyhook safety liability issue so I’m curious what Mercury Marine is requiring you to sign / what level of liability release and safety training is being required before they allow you to use this software.

Skyhook will engage either drive in either forward or reverse at various angles to hold the boat in its present position. The intention is to keep the boat in one spot for you as you wait for a bridge to open, the fuel dock to clear, allow you to prepare the boat for docking or any reason you would want the boat to hold its position. It will function even if there is current or wind.

At issue is if a person uses skyhook as apposed to a anchor then swims off the boat. As they come up to the swim platform the drive may engage and pull the swimmer into the propellers.

Say a person has engaged skyhook as they prepare the boat for docking. As they are deploying a fender over the bow rail they fall into the water, a real world possibility. They will need to re-board the boat, possibly with no other person onboard and thus no one to disengage the skyhook feature.


The fear is now that this is a known issue, there is a potential liability to Mercury Marine.
 
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I'll bet many more "upgrades" will follow this one, if once again, Mercury's pattern of releasing products to customers before the engineering is finished holds true.

Best regards,
Frank
 
We are still awaiting the upgrade. Prince William Marine reports the Mercury has only one technician available for the Northeastern US applying the updates, and hasn't been to in our area yet.

When they implement it, I will report it on this forum.
 
Presentation said:
Say a person has engaged skyhook as they prepare the boat for docking. As they are deploying a fender over the bow rail they fall into the water, a real world possibility. They will need to re-board the boat, possibly with no other person onboard and thus no one to disengage the skyhook feature.
Click to expand...

This is a great reason to use a wireless kill switch!
 
Presentation said:
Hey Sam,

Can you give us a update on skyhook? ....

.....Say a person has engaged skyhook as they prepare the boat for docking. As they are deploying a fender over the bow rail they fall into the water, a real world possibility. They will need to re-board the boat, possibly with no other person onboard and thus no one to disengage the skyhook feature.

.....quote]
When I leave the dock, I wait until I am clear of the fairways and in open water before retrieving my fenders....and....when I return to the marine, I stop the boat prior to entering the marina and re-deploy my fenders. there is no reason for me to use SKYHOOK for this.

I anticipate using SKYHOOK while awaiting an opening at the gas dock or a for a bridge opening. While using SKYHOOK, either my wife or I will be at the helm. If I am operating by myself, I will not use SKYHOOK...oeriod!!

In my opinion, SKYHOOK is the least attractive feature of AXIUS. I love the close-quarters handling and once implemented, I look forward to using their AUTOTRACK features, which is similar to an AUTOPILOT.

In any given situation, someone is going to do something incredibly stupid and there are bound to be serious injuries and loss of life. SKYHOOK is just another feature for this to happen.
Click to expand...
 
fc3 said:
I'll bet many more "upgrades" will follow this one, if once again, Mercury's pattern of releasing products to customers before the engineering is finished holds true.

Best regards,
Frank
Click to expand...

So true.
 
ANYTIME said:
I received a call from Prince William Marina today to let me know that MERCRUISER is releasing their AXIUS Drive updates next Tuesday, 12 August 08.

The updates include a replacement Control Pad to replace the existing Control Pad (note the Joystick is not being changed) and software then enables the AUTOTRACK and SKYHOOK features.

PWM will call me to make an appointment when the Mercury Rep is available to make the update on ANYTIME.

I will update this thread as I learn more.
Click to expand...
I received a call from Prince William Marina today to let me know that MERCRUISER is releasing their AXIUS Drive updates next Tuesday, 12 August 08.

The updates include a replacement Control Pad to replace the existing Control Pad (note the Joystick is not being changed) and software then enables the AUTOTRACK and SKYHOOK features.

PWM will call me to make an appointment when the Mercury Rep is available to make the update on ANYTIME.

I will update this thread as I learn more.
[/quote]


The Axius update is "nearly" complete on ANYTIME. Searay neglected to include one of the needed cables for the update, so SKYHOOK and Waypoint Tracking is still not operational.:smt013

The dealer said the cable should arrive in about a week and when it does, they will come to my Marina to install it.

The dealer picked up ANYTIME at my marina, and drove it to their docks, about 15 miles each way and returned it to my slip yesterday evening. Hopefully, today or tomorrow I will be able to get there to check it all out.

Their mechanic, Eric, who I have the utmost confidence in, told me the Auto Track function which has now been implemented works great and was impressed how well it held track in yesterday's rough water (it has been stormy the past couple of days).

When the Axius work is complete, I will give a more extensive report on how it all works.
 
Has this been done? I have a 2008 330 and it is at the Searay dealer.. I am asking them to get the Skyhook hooked up.

Has anyone gotten this installed after delivery?
 
AM321 said:
Has this been done? I have a 2008 330 and it is at the Searay dealer.. I am asking them to get the Skyhook hooked up.

Has anyone gotten this installed after delivery?
Click to expand...

I don't have any first hand knowledge of ANY Axius Searays having had the SKYHOOK feature implemented. Searay corporate told me that their lawyers were working on it, and that was back in the August 2008 timeframe. They haven't had the courtesy to let me know what is happening.

They haven't even been able to get waypoint tracking and the automatic pilot working yet. The last try was in late November, just before winterizing and shrinkwrapping for the winter season.

I am very disappointed with Mercruiser for fielding the Axius system before it was ready for delivery, especially considering the significant cost offset between the Axius and non-Axius boats. Our dealer's technician has been working hard to get it working, but is hampered by Mercury, who doesn't seem to have any knowledable Axius engineers/technicians available to support their fledgling product.:smt013:huh::smt021. I would write how "I really feel", but don't want to get kicked off this forum.:smt100

I plan on putting ANYTIME back in commission around the end of March and will request Prince William Marina to come get her and let me know when all systems are fully operational.

Anyone wanna buy a nice "nearly new" 2008 310 Sundancer, 50 hours on the engines ??????:grin:
 
It appears that 2009 330 as well as all the new boats have Skyhook installed (the pad is there) and I have watched a video on YouTube where they state it works.. It would be great if you could follow up and let me/us know.

Thanks.
 
I feel that I am walking uphill on a one-way street.

Why don't YOU follow up with your dealer and Searay??? Then, YOU can let us know what you have learned.
 
ANYTIME said:
I don't have any first hand knowledge of ANY Axius Searays having had the SKYHOOK feature implemented. Searay corporate told me that their lawyers were working on it, and that was back in the August 2008 timeframe. They haven't had the courtesy to let me know what is happening.

They haven't even been able to get waypoint tracking and the automatic pilot working yet. The last try was in late November, just before winterizing and shrinkwrapping for the winter season.

I am very disappointed with Mercruiser for fielding the Axius system before it was ready for delivery, especially considering the significant cost offset between the Axius and non-Axius boats. Our dealer's technician has been working hard to get it working, but is hampered by Mercury, who doesn't seem to have any knowledable Axius engineers/technicians available to support their fledgling product.:smt013:huh::smt021. I would write how "I really feel", but don't want to get kicked off this forum.:smt100

I plan on putting ANYTIME back in commission around the end of March and will request Prince William Marina to come get her and let me know when all systems are fully operational.

Anyone wanna buy a nice "nearly new" 2008 310 Sundancer, 50 hours on the engines ??????:grin:
Click to expand...
You have been far more patient than I could be. I think they owe you. Maybe it's time for other satisfaction if they can't give it to you in the form of a properly functioning boat.
 
Thank God someone else is having problems with Merc-Crus.

As you can see I own a 2008 w/ Axius. I have been trying to get them to install the Sky-Hook feature for the last month and all I have been getting is the run around. I called Merc three different times and I still have not recieve an answer yet. I spoke to the tech. manager for Long Island and the dist. manager for the east coast. The general feeling is that this feature will not be ready for us until 2010. They also stated that they did install the auto pilot on my boat last year but, forgot to tell me OOOOPS!!!

I was at the NY Boat Show this year and they had a 330 Sundancer w/ Axius on it and the Sky-Hook feature also. When I was there I also spoke with the "Formula" people about their Axius system and they had a boat at the show that had the the Sky-Hook feature on the demo model. All they had was a warning sticker on the stern door and a warning notice on the smart craft. Yes, I know about the the insurance issues that may crop up and I can deal with that when the time comes.

I have spoken to my Searay Sales Manager three or four times and all I get is that he is checking on it with Searay. We are sceduled to go in the water on March 25 and I was hoping for the installation to be completed by then. I doubt very much that this will happen.

If anyone has any additional information it would be greatly appreciated, I think this is a great forum for these kinds of problems and hope someone can HELP me.
 
Hi Sam,

I can sense you are frustrated.

Given the cost of the Axius system and reading your posts here and on the Boat US site I would also be frustrated.

I hope they step up for you and make it right. Best wishes.
 
It is very dissapointing that searay and merc cruiser are not taking care of their current customers.
 
SKY-HOOK UPDATE!!!

I have finally had it with Sea Ray, I just sent a letter to Rick Stone with a copy to Surfside 3 Marina and my lawyer. If I am not going to get the features I was promised when I purchased this boat, then I requested a credit for the entire Axuis system. I doubt if this will happen but, maybe I will get some answers. I will keep you posted on what happens.
 
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