Skyhook warning buzzer location?

[BigBoysToys]

Interesting thread. As an engineer, I love to see the forward progress of technology and I must say I'm a bit of a gadget junkie, but I do have my fair share of internal struggles over what this technology does to our society as a whole. Just because technology can do it for us doesn't mean we shouldn't be able to do it ourselves.

 

[FootballFan]

So, dial back about 7-8 years - not totally sure about the year.

Zeus was the new thing. Went to a Marine Max event - sales rep put us on a 48DA. SR captain running the boat, took us for a ride. During the ride the captain told us about the evolution of the software. Initially - software was way too aggressive with turns under power at speed. Got fixed.

Point is, when new technology first comes out - there is some learning to fine tune.

Couple of years after that, was at Hawks Cay in the Keys, dockhand was telling us about the joystick boat that went out of control. Owner was working throttles and joystick - caused some problems. Software gets refined.

Most significant story I heard about Skyhook - was the guy that set Skyhook - then everyone got off the boat in the water. Ahhh, there were some problems, but also some error in judgment by the captain.

I would not hesitate a minute on the electronics today - I think there has been time to clean up the problems.

There will always be the debate about old style vs new style. Personally I prefer a separate set of levers for the transmissions on the left, and throttles on the right. But I probably will not have a boat again that is set up that way.

I will adapt to technology.

The danger of this technology is it brings more people into larger boats who do not have the experience for the size of boat they are on. Since they can dock the boat - they think they have all the knowledge needed.

Early on, some explained to me - there are 3 things a captain has to be proficient at:

1. Navigation (know where you are - and the path to your destination), rules of the road

2. Handling the boat, being able to dock and operate the boat underway

3. Managing the systems on the boat

Technology can take care of #2 - but the other two items are critical.

Mark

 

[dmorris800]

Having skyhook, I would agree. The only time I have really used it was waiting for the gas dock. I also worry about it burning out the transmission with it switching every few seconds. Maybe Frank could educate us if this a legit concern?

I have skyhook and use it only on rare occasions. I find it a bit choppy and would definitely not use it with any on board unseated passengers near the stern of the boat.

 

[FastMarkA]

I have Axius/Skyhook and agree there is some value to it, but I’m also skeptical to use it with the frequent and sudden transmission shifts. The way I see it, there are only so many transmission shifts I can make until something breaks.

With it being so easy to drop the anchor using the windlass, sometimes I opt to do that (especially when the wait will be long). This also saves a little fuel and it’s peaceful with the engines off.

I don't foresee myself removing the buzzer, but I would like it to make a noise different from a garbage truck backing up. Or, a cancel out option that automatically resets the buzzer every time Skyhook is reactivated.

 

[electricaldoctor]

Toggle it on/off?
Volume control?

 

[flsearay330]

We have Axius/skyhook and enjoy it. It is a convenience for us, not a necessity. With skyhook, I never leave the helm. Just makes things a bit easier. I agree with the transmission shifting comments. Skyhook can be pretty "active" in current or wind.
These conveniences should never abrogate the captains responsibility. I flew for many years and the autopilot was a huge help, but I never depended on it. I could do everything it did (only it was actually better than me! damn, it could fly a very precise ILS approach). The technology we now have available in our boats is extraordinary. (Especially considering the low cost). Every so often I'll dock without Axius, just to stay in practice. Good thing too, the other day in very close quarters, Axius unexpectedly took the afternoon off. Like all things, poorly informed, or trained people can make a mess of almost any good thing. Calm seas and favorable winds to all.