Joystick Piloting For Outboard-Basic Operation; Engine Guardian Strategy - Mercury Joystick Piloting for Outboards Manual

Section 1 - Getting to Know the Joystick Piloting for Outboard
2. Detent tension adjustment screw ‑ This screw can be adjusted to increase or decrease the effort to move control handle
out of detent positions (cover must be removed). Turning the screw clockwise will increase tension. Adjust to tension
desired.
a
Joystick Piloting for Outboard—Basic Operation
The vessel personality that determines how a boat responds to joystick commands was created for typical boat loading and
operation in ideal boating conditions. Variations in wind, current, and boat loading will have a substantial effect on the
performance of joystick operations. For example, a boat that is loaded heavily to the bow will behave differently than a boat
that is loaded heavily to the stern. The vessel personality cannot anticipate nor compensate for these variables. It is the
operator's responsibility to make the necessary corrections by changing the loading of the boat or by performing additional
maneuvers to track the desired path.
The joystick offers intuitive control of your boat during low‑speed operation and docking. In this mode, engine speed is limited
from idle to approximately 30% engine demand to prevent excessive prop wash or unacceptable boat dynamics. In dock mode,
engine demand is reduced to 70% of standard joystick mode (refer to Section 2—Dock Mode). The remote control levers must
be used for vessel maneuvering if conditions require more thrust than the power ranges listed above.
Although joystick operation is intuitive, you should avoid using it until you have the opportunity to become familiar with the
vessel's handling characteristics. Practice operating the vessel with the joystick in open water.
Thereafter, you should occasionally practice operating without the joystick in case the joystick becomes inoperable.
All of the remote control levers must be in the neutral position for the joystick to operate.

Engine Guardian Strategy

IMPORTANT: Boat speed can be reduced to idle and may not respond to the throttle during Engine Guardian.
The Engine Guardian system monitors the critical sensors on the engine for any indications of problems. Engine Guardian is
functional whenever your engine is operating, so you never have to be concerned about whether or not you are protected. The
system will respond to a problem by sounding the warning horn for six seconds and/or reducing engine power in order to
provide engine protection.
If the Engine Guardian system has been activated, reduce the engine speed. The system must be reset before the engine will
operate at higher speeds. Moving the throttle lever back to the idle position for three seconds will reset Engine Guardian. If
Engine Guardian continues after the reset, the cause of the Engine Guardian must be identified and corrected.
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NOTICE
Typical joystick location
Detent tension adjustment
Control handle tension adjustment
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90-8M0093150 MAY 2014
eng