BRP, a world leader in powersports, announced that the Evinrude iDock joystick piloting system has been awarded the National Marine Manufacturers Association’s (NMMA) Innovation Award in the Propulsion Parts, Propellers category at the 2017 International BoatBuilders’ Exhibition & Conference (IBEX).
iDock is the latest, but not the last, innovative addition to the Evinrude Intelligent Piloting System, a suite of Evinrude E-TEC G2 engine features designed to instill confidence in all boaters, by making their boat easy and intuitive to operate. Existing features include iSteer integrated dynamic power steering, iTrim automatic trim system, iControl digital shift and throttle, and iLink mobile display interface. These intelligent features take the guess work out of operating a boat, and offer users total boat and engine control.
The iDock system, with an affordable price point and other industry-leading system innovations, allows users to easily maneuver their boat using a joystick for simple docking, in even the toughest conditions. The simplicity of the system requires much less time to become accustomed to, thus creating a more positive first time boating experience. iDock is a fully integrated system that connects with the existing internal hydraulic steering feature of select Evinrude E-TEC G2 engines, reducing cost of parts, removing clutter on the transom and freeing up precious storage space. Because it leverages existing E-TEC G2 architecture, installation time is minimized – iDock models follow the same installation process as Evinrude E-TEC G2 engines and typically require less than one hour on the water setup. This allows Evinrude to offer the all-new iDock system for an unheard of MSRP of $5,999 USD for all iDock components, including the joystick, module and hydraulic hoses.
“Throughout the design process, our engineering team built our Evinrude E-TEC G2 engines to be expandable as new technology evolves,” said Olivier Pierini, Evinrude director of global marketing and strategic planning. “This forward thinking has allowed us to introduce our iDock joystick piloting system at an incredible value to the consumer, all while giving our users the ultimate ease of use. To be recognized by such a distinguished panel of industry experts for this innovation is truly an honor.”
The Innovation Awards program, organized by the NMMA and judged by Boating Writers International (BWI), recognizes exceptionally innovative new consumer marine products that best meet the criteria of “Having innovative distinction from other products currently manufactured in the marine industry; providing benefit to the marine industry and/or consumer; providing practicality of use; and are cost-effective.” PropTalk was able to test the Evinrude iDock system earlier this year in Florida. To see a video our test, click to proptalk.com/evinrude-idock-joystick-piloting-system.