Aftermarket Yacht Thruster - Easy Drive Model

[Cpan13]

What’s pricing for a G23?

[Raffit78]

interested with another brand boat.

[wakebrian]

Very cool! Let everyone know once you have pricing - that will probably help get people off the fence. I was just talking about this today on another forum. My local Nautique dealer did a factory thruster install and integrated it into the Nautique software, so it works like the boat came with it. I believe it was a little over $10K for the OEM style setup.

Yes our pricing is significantly less, we have created adapters for certain ski boats so pricing does vary some.
You can contact us with boat make if interested to receive a quote.

Also take a look at our new IP rated illuminated joystick.

[SoCal G-Man]

Very cool! Let everyone know once you have pricing - that will probably help get people off the fence. I was just talking about this today on another forum. My local Nautique dealer did a factory thruster install and integrated it into the Nautique software, so it works like the boat came with it. I believe it was a little over $10K for the OEM style setup.

[wakebrian]

Guys take a look at one of our promo videos
Trying to attach a shorter one, but not working..
We have this one posted up on Youtube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PKJrSmLs47o

[wakebrian]

Just got back today from our demo ride and it was also our first install locally here in Miami, FL at Miami Nautique.
Everyone was beyond impressed with how fast this thing goes (in both directions)
We had this thing spinning in circles for very long periods with out ever receiving a overheat on the unit.
Here is a quick shot of the install at Miami Nautique (One guy in service at Miami Nautique knocked this out in less than 6 hours)
If anyone has any questions, feel free to ask.

[wakebrian]

Here is another installation done last week by one of our customers on his 2017 G23

[GMLIII]

The moment you've all been waiting for... real results. SO here in NJ yesterday, it was a balmy 46 air temp, 49 water on Lake Hopatcong. I had the pleasure of spending some seat time on this 2018 GS24 with the Easy Drive thruster and then hopped right into a 2019 G23 with the NISA to compare.
Let's start with the true results before any comparison

(see video)
(docking w/ empty ballast)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3W69...ature=youtu.be

(open water test full ballast)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6mw617FCJy8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FOSHgSx1itM

As many of you out there have experienced, the GS24 is a bit of a lake limo. The maneuverability has significantly been enhanced in both port and starboard directions with the power of this thruster. I spent time maneuvering around with no ballast as well as full ballast (including pro ballast). With many of your concerns around the cavitation from the surf pipe, we are working with Brian and his team on how the next one can be improved (constant improvement is the only way to always exceed expectations), but at the end of the day, the dang thing works and it works well. I mention the ballast because we found that the thruster was more effective when deeper in the water ( I would assume less interference from the exhaust flow) In this first, editted together video, there are some docking clips of the boat with no ballast where you can clearly see the exhaust and the turbulent water from the thruster and how well it operates in spite of that. The second 2 attached links are while we had the ballast full for comparison.

As for the Easy Drive system versus the Nautique steering assist, at the end of the day, you get what you pay for. The INTEGRATED system from Nautique is very slick and works every bit as well as you would expect it to from Nautique. To consider the OEM system versus the Easy Drive when it comes time to order a boat, it is hard to argue with the integration and effectiveness of the Nautique system. The bypassed exhaust eliminates any potential of cavitation which does allow the Nautique thruster to feel more effective. (Comparing a Gs24 vs G23) We are pleased with how well the Easy Drive system worked and how easy it was to install on this boat, however, I wouldn't suspect it will put the Nautique Steering Assist out of business on the new G boats. The money savings will grab a few people's attention for sure and should be just as effective on the G hulls as we tested on this GS. This system does, however, become an opportunity for any and all inboard boats to utilize the magic of a stern thruster, that wasn't available from the factory or

Fire away with the questions, I've got plenty more pictures and videos.

Great install: in water testing and post follow-up. Looking forward to the gen 2 study addressing improving cavitation issues

[Kevcec94]

The moment you've all been waiting for... real results. SO here in NJ yesterday, it was a balmy 46 air temp, 49 water on Lake Hopatcong. I had the pleasure of spending some seat time on this 2018 GS24 with the Easy Drive thruster and then hopped right into a 2019 G23 with the NISA to compare.
Let's start with the true results before any comparison

(see video)
(docking w/ empty ballast)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3W69...ature=youtu.be

(open water test full ballast)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6mw617FCJy8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FOSHgSx1itM

As many of you out there have experienced, the GS24 is a bit of a lake limo. The maneuverability has significantly been enhanced in both port and starboard directions with the power of this thruster. I spent time maneuvering around with no ballast as well as full ballast (including pro ballast). With many of your concerns around the cavitation from the surf pipe, we are working with Brian and his team on how the next one can be improved (constant improvement is the only way to always exceed expectations), but at the end of the day, the dang thing works and it works well. I mention the ballast because we found that the thruster was more effective when deeper in the water ( I would assume less interference from the exhaust flow) In this first, editted together video, there are some docking clips of the boat with no ballast where you can clearly see the exhaust and the turbulent water from the thruster and how well it operates in spite of that. The second 2 attached links are while we had the ballast full for comparison.

As for the Easy Drive system versus the Nautique steering assist, at the end of the day, you get what you pay for. The INTEGRATED system from Nautique is very slick and works every bit as well as you would expect it to from Nautique. To consider the OEM system versus the Easy Drive when it comes time to order a boat, it is hard to argue with the integration and effectiveness of the Nautique system. The bypassed exhaust eliminates any potential of cavitation which does allow the Nautique thruster to feel more effective. (Comparing a Gs24 vs G23) We are pleased with how well the Easy Drive system worked and how easy it was to install on this boat, however, I wouldn't suspect it will put the Nautique Steering Assist out of business on the new G boats. The money savings will grab a few people's attention for sure and should be just as effective on the G hulls as we tested on this GS. This system does, however, become an opportunity for any and all inboard boats to utilize the magic of a stern thruster, that wasn't available from the factory or

Fire away with the questions, I've got plenty more pictures and videos.

[wakebrian]

Hey guys!
Kevin and the guys at Offshore Marine have done a great job of getting this installed. Water test was completed yesterday, stay tuned for some videos!
Definitely blew our expectations out of the water. If anyone has any questions, feel free to ask myself or Kevin.
brian@theyachtgroup.com

[All4thedetails]

Extremely interested in how it works out Kevcec94! I have been checking these out for a while and debating taking that plunge...unfortunately they don't have any on these boats so the jury is still out as to cost/benefit ... Do u have more pics of joystick location as well as finished install pics? Thanks

[SoCal G-Man]

t's been a long winter but things are kicking off here in Jersey. We finally got this boat out of storage and got to start the project.....

Thank you for sharing! Looking forward to results.

[GMLIII]

Look forward to the performance report and the in depth study on whether there were any cavitation issues present during operation of the thruster

[Kevcec94]

It's been a long winter but things are kicking off here in Jersey. We finally got this boat out of storage and got to start the project.
The Boat: 2018 Nautique GS24, H6 w/ 2019 Pro ballast setup
The Customer: Long time customer of ours who just upgraded from the cleanest 08 220 you'll ever see. After only putting 250 hours on that boat as the original owner, he got 80 hours on the 24 in his first season with the boat. With years of inboard experience, the GS24 has been more of a challenge to handle in his dock system on a reservoir with wind and current.
Install: Yachtthruster Easy Drive- Brian was very helpful with research and investigation before pulling the trigger. In the Gs boats, there is a ton of room at the front of the engine to be able to work and install the unit. With the external motor, there were only two bolt holes and 3rd larger hole cut with a hole saw. With the until installed, the wiring was pretty straight forward, having to supply our own cables to the batteries. As for the control, we were back and forth on the placement of the joystick and what was safest but most effective for operation. We ended up putting it just to the right of the keypad. This allows you to keep a hand on the steering wheel at all times, and have a quick transition from the throttle to the joystick. With the armrest above the throttle, using the joystick feels very similar to operating the Nautique steering assist manually with the helm control. Also.. this location is a really clean spot.
Results: Now the real reason you're all here... How effective is it?! Great question... with 75 degrees in NJ on Saturday, but 25 degrees and flurries last night, we are a couple of days away from getting this boat wet, checking for leaks and putting the thruster to the test. Sorry folks, you're going to have to wait a few more days!!!

[SoCal G-Man]

True ; I’m more concerned with the cavitation caused by the thruster placement next to the surf pipe during thruster operation. With the OEM thrusters, the cavitation issue is solved with the addition of the auxiliary exhaust used during thruster operation

That is everyone's concern, especially when in reverse. The manufacturer should make (or purchase from CC) the exhaust diversion kit and sell it as an option for boats that need it. I have not yet seen the system, but a diversion valve can be actuated by a cable or electronically. Both can be installed.