What’s the one problem with controlling your boat via joystick? You have to stand right next to the joystick. Not anymore, says Yamaha. Their new Helm Master EX Wireless Controller has a mini-joystick on top, plus a trigger control that lets you spin the boat with fingertip ease. It allows you to initiate the Helm Master EX fishing features like StayPoint, DriftPoint, and FishPoint, and also comes with an integrated MOB system that can incorporate up to eight FOBs.
We tried testing the Wireless Controller at the Miami International Boat Show, where they had a Grady-White rigged up with the system. After idling away from the marina we kicked the boat in and out of StayPoint (which is essentially Spot-Lock for outboards), then tried maneuvering around some docks. The bottom line? There are plenty of buttons to learn and it may take some getting used to, but in just a few minutes we were able to learn the basics of controlling the boat with the remote. And if we had a boat with Yamahas and Helm Master EX, heck yes, we'd want to get the Wireless Controller asap. Learn more at Yamaha.