Optimus 360 - Looks like a game changer

[ShawnQ]

The other issue is the wear/tear on the engines and lower units. I wonder how much extra shifting it does.


Not to mention the steering cycles.


I have only had my Rhodan in calm water twice, and it was amazing nosing up to a rig and dropping for grouper. The other two times I was out, the buoy read 3.3' and 3.9', and it would hold for a few minutes until I caught a couple of large swells and cavitated the prop a few times. Once that happens, it loses position.

I saw a guy who had one on his Fountain (32? 34? 38?). You may try to get a hold of him. Boat name was Critical Path, and I think he launches out of Freeport. I'm sure someone here knows him.


$3k vs $20k+, seems like it may be worth a comparison

[Calmday]

Originally Posted by ShawnQ

The other issue is the wear/tear on the engines and lower units. I wonder how much extra shifting it does.


Not to mention the steering cycles.

No more than manually holding the boat on a spot (which I often do). The prop wash wouldn't be anymore of an issue either. I wouldn't be very happy with something that only worked on the calmest days. Also don't think I could stomach drilling holes in the cap of my new Fountain to install the Rhodan.
I have spent a lot of years living and working in S holes around the world and now at a point in my life where I want to make life easy.

[ShawnQ]

Originally Posted by Calmday

No more than manually holding the boat on a spot (which I often do). The prop wash wouldn't be anymore of an issue either. I wouldn't be very happy with something that only worked on the calmest days. Also don't think I could stomach drilling holes in the cap of my new Fountain to install the Rhodan.
I have spent a lot of years living and working in S holes around the world and now at a point in my life where I want to make life easy.

I hear ya!

Try it out and see how it does. If it holds, it will definitely be a game changer.

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[LEADERmm]

We completed the Optimus training in Florida recently. The motors actually shift less using Optimus versus manual shifting. I have not tested it offshore yet but it holds a spot very well in the current of the intracoastal. Works even better with Suzuki 350’s, the dual props make a huge difference in bite.

It is a bit spendy but keep in mind that the system includes helm, cylinders, hoses, pumps, and becomes your auto pilot system , all connected to your NEMA network. If your starting from scratch the upgrade price is not bad.

Rumor has it that Mercury is dropping their system and switching to private labeled Optimus.


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[Calmday]

We went ahead and installed the Optimus 360 with Sea Station. We have had about a month to play with it and it works great. The joy stick is a cool trick but I can dock the boat better without it. I don’t think I have to patients because the wife is very good with it.
The really cool parts of the system is the fly by wire and Sea Station. I never imagined a 34 foot boat would handle so good at speed. Thing feels like a sports car.
The Sea Station it awesome for us. We (the wife and I) used to drift a lot of smaller spots. She got to fish and I was usually driving the boat. Now I get to fish while the boat holds on a spot.

Clear Lake Power Boat Service did ours. We are very pleased with the installation. They did a great job and everything was done when they promised. Ed and Tonya are very friendly and easy to do business with. I would recommend them for any boat boat work.

[chuck richey]

Ed and Tonya installed one on there boat also. Looks like it will be a neat addition.

[Drundel]

Originally Posted by Calmday

We went ahead and installed the Optimus 360 with Sea Station. We have had about a month to play with it and it works great. The joy stick is a cool trick but I can dock the boat better without it. I don’t think I have to patients because the wife is very good with it.
The really cool parts of the system is the fly by wire and Sea Station. I never imagined a 34 foot boat would handle so good at speed. Thing feels like a sports car.
The Sea Station it awesome for us. We (the wife and I) used to drift a lot of smaller spots. She got to fish and I was usually driving the boat. Now I get to fish while the boat holds on a spot.

Clear Lake Power Boat Service did ours. We are very pleased with the installation. They did a great job and everything was done when they promised. Ed and Tonya are very friendly and easy to do business with. I would recommend them for any boat boat work.

I'll be curious to hear how it does holding you on a spot on a calm to semi clam day.

[Finatic31]

My understanding is that it only has a 1 yr warranty. WHEN it goes out, it could be another 13k to fix.
I could be wrong - I have been wrong once before

[LEADERmm]

The individual components are not that bad from a replacement standpoint. I don’t think you would ever see a 13k repair bill.

But remember the definition of BOAT:

1. Bust out another thousand.

2. A hole in the surface of the water into which money is thrown.


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[CHARLIE]

Now aint you something Al. I was going to suggest and anchor and a winch. Lot cheaper LMAO. Have fun. Yesterday current was really bad offshore. Couldnt hold the boat in reverse. Went with the current. Gonna be nice I hope. Get you some more time to fish.