Fly By Wire Outboard hits Jetty

[Cwens]

As an aside, that fire/rescue boat has some kind of fancy steering system -- look how the two motors seem to move independently of each other going from toe-out to toe-in and back.

[rslifkin]

Originally Posted by ChrisOwens

As an aside, that fire/rescue boat has some kind of fancy steering system -- look how the two motors seem to move independently of each other going from toe-out to toe-in and back.

That's one of the reasons many modern outboards and sterndrives have gone to fly by wire steering. The electronics than then steer each unit independently, allowing maneuvering control you'd otherwise only get by adding thrusters.

[Oeanda]

Thrusters - could still come in handy…

[Macdoug]

Apart from paying too much for his boat, it looked like they just drove straight into the rocks from stupidly. The engines are still working straight after the rocks, and also look to be still turning. I think they just didn’t pay attention and then were trapped with the waves pushing them onto the rocks, but no room to manoeuvre to get themselves off the rocks.

Classic pilot error to my mind.

[JC Reefer]

Originally Posted by waterman46

My boat, I'd be in the water swimming a line around that daymark pole and back to the boat, to haul us off the rocks.

That’s a well known channel in Florida with a nasty current. You would not be able to swim upstream.

The YouTuber that posted that video literally sits and tapes boats there all day.

That being said, don’t think the fire boat did the best job there. Kinda Pulled them through the rock instead of directly off the rock. Current again is likely to blame.

[two-rocks]

They clearly lost seeing. Many many powerboats use steering by wire now - including the rescue boat (watch the engines move independently using a joystick).

The freeman had full reverse, but the egg beaters (outboards) just start sucking exhaust). No thanks.

[MicHughV]

I wonder if there was alcohol involved....a beer maybe...two ???

[billgewater]

Actually, maybe there is some deserved credit to the hull manufacturer. I'm surprised the boat did not sink after such a pounding on the rocks.

I'm a bit intrigued as to why evasive action was not taken earlier and a better alignment made with the entrance.

But it does seem that the motor control system went AWOL and for such a complex set up as for a four motor system, I'm not surprised. Just waiting for a problem to arise that requires 3 technicians and a 2 inch thick hand book plus a workshop of tools to manage.

And of course, when things go wrong (I'm sure there is someone's law here) they go wrong at the worst possible time.

I also noticed that they did actually slow down on approaching the entrance, so maybe that action itself initiated the "failure". Maybe the reversing referred to caused the problem, but again, there seemed to be a steering issue as the entry alignment was all wrong.

I bet the person who videoed the event has had contact from the insurance company!
Maybe they could hold out for a few grand for the video!

Otherwise KISS

[skenn_ie]

Originally Posted by flyingfin

What do you suppose went wrong here,,,,,,I have lost power in the Inlet before when a bag wrapped around the lower unit water intake and the overheat alarm went off,,,,,Be Prepared!!

I am a 60y/o electronics engineer. I don't trust electronics for primary systems. The higher the complexity, the more susceptible it is to moisture. I consider it like driving motorbikes in the rain. You can delay it getting in, but you won't stop it.

[NNBill]

Originally Posted by billgewater

But it does seem that the motor control system went AWOL and for such a complex set up as for a four motor system, I'm not surprised. Just waiting for a problem to arise that requires 3 technicians and a 2 inch thick hand book plus a workshop of tools to manage.

Don't forget the $15,000 + of proprietary diagnostic software and hardware!!

4 outboards, steer using 2 and 2 with the throttles and clutches.

[Icarus]

Who knows?
Not enough information, so one can dream up endless scenarios.
A million dollar boat?

[Paroo2020]

Originally Posted by goboatingnow

Boat hits rocks. Why mention the “ fly by wire “

Rather like saying “ boat with sails hits rocks “ !!!

Looks like he just didn't take account of the current run and was not really concentrating, coming in too fast and too close to the starboard side of the channel.
Boat like that is not good in those sort of conditions.

Thats my 2 bobs worth anyway!!

[Chili Palmer]

The guy in the first boat to arrive, the blue boat, indicated the boat on the rocks was too heavy for him to tow and probably would've broken something.

[Chili Palmer]

Originally Posted by Paroo2020

Looks like he just didn't take account of the current run and was not really concentrating, coming in too fast and too close to the starboard side of the channel.
Boat like that is not good in those sort of conditions.

Thats my 2 bobs worth anyway!!

I'm not entirely sure you're wrong. It sure looks like he was coming in hot but, I also didn't see any movement of the rear engines.

Combination of both?

[Don C L]

I too was surprised by the rescue boat's actions. I 'd say they need more practice. It looked like they had not done something like that before.

Not just 1 million, but used for 1.3 million?