Skyhook, one of the exclusive features of Cummins MerCruiser Diesel's Zeus and Axius propulsion systems, has received the Best of the Year Award from Motor Boating Magazine, at a special event held last week in conjunction with the Miami International Boat Show.

Skyhook is a station-keeping function that is the first of its kind in the recreational marine industry. With the simple press of a button, the operator can engage Skyhook, and the vessel will maintain both the position and heading at the moment of engagement, even in the presence of wind and current. The feature allows a sportfish captain to stay directly on top of a preferred fishing spot, lets a pleasure boater easily wait for an opening at the fuel dock, and keeps cruisers from drifting while waiting in the current for a bridge to open - all without constantly working the wheel and throttles as has been the case since the advent of mechanized propulsion.

As co-developer of Zeus, Axius, and Skyhook, Mercury Marine - one of CMD's parent companies - shares the award. Mercruiser's gasoline version of Axius is the only other recreational marine propulsion system to offer such a feature. Coincidentally, Motor Boating Magazine awarded CMD a previous Best of the Year in 2007 for Zeus. CMD's flagship Zeus 3000 propulsion system is a revolutionary concept that marries a 355Hp - 715Hp CMD engine to a tunnel-mounted pod. The system consists of two to four such engine/pod units, so it can power vessels less than 40 feet in length, up to yachts approaching 100 feet. Joystick control, for the ultimate in tight - quarters maneuverability, is standard on all Zeus-powered vessels. Axius is a twin sterndrive-based system with functionality analogous to Zeus, including the standard joystick. CMD's diesel Axius is the combination of a pair of 220 Hp - 350Hp CMD engines and twin-propeller Bravo 3 sterndrives, perfect for boats up to about 40 feet in length.

The SmartCraft drive-by-wire control system used by both Zeus and Axius is what makes Skyhook possible. Once Skyhook is engaged, its unique software adjusts the steering of each drive/pod independently, and automatically applies appropriate amounts of vectored thrust to keep the boat¿s original bearing and position, as determined by its GPS sensor and an electronic compass.

SeaRay offer Axius drive technology in their 310, 330 and 350 Sundancer models and Zeus pod technology in their 38, 40 and 48 Sundancer models. Incidentally Zeus is standard on the all new SeaRay 43 Sundancer which won the Best of the Year Award from Motor Boating Magazine for Best Cruiser 2009. The soon to be released SeaRay 540 Sundancer will also come standard with Zeus pod drives.

SEA RAY 43 SUNDANCER

Andrew Short Marine was the first Australian SeaRay dealer to embrace the new drive technology and currently have both Axius and Zeus powered vessels in stock for inspection and demonstration.

Please call the Andrew Short Marine Taren Point Showroom (02) 9524 2699 for information and inspection of vessels under 35' and Fergusons Marina (02) 9969 1017 for the Sea Ray Sports Yachts and Yachts range from 36' - 60'.

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