Caterpillar Marine Power Systems announces the introduction of state-of-the-art Joystick and Pod solutions for marine propulsion for pleasure craft. Cat dealers will now offer integrated propulsion and maneuvering solutions for customers in addition to the legendary Cat® marine engines. The Cat Joystick and Pod systems will feature proprietary Twin Disc QuickShift® transmission technology. The Cat dealer network will provide its unrivalled support for these products around the World.
“We spend a lot of time listening to our customers so when they began requesting complete systems solutions from Caterpillar, we went straight to work,” said Richard Case, Caterpillar’s Vice President for Marine and Petroleum Power. “Matching Caterpillar’s superior power systems with the Cat dealer network’s unequalled global product support capabilities enables us to serve as a unique single-source provider of pleasure craft propulsion and maneuvering system needs across a wide power range. We look forward to providing the marine market with Cat propulsion systems.”
The Joystick solution features cutting-edge technology designed to integrate vessel components including the engines, transmissions, thrusters and propellers into a single source of control. Vessels featuring the customizable Cat Joystick system will benefit from a greater ease of maneuverability and docking as well as more responsive vessel steering at low speeds. The Cat Joystick solution will be available as a complete packaged solution through the Cat dealer network. The package will be available to order in 2012.
All Pods offered by Caterpillar will incorporate the maneuverability elements of the Joystick system. Engineered to be integrated with Cat marine engines, the Cat Pod system incorporates yacht owner and builder requested features, such as improved fuel economy, reduced noise and vibration, optimized operating costs and “plug and play” installation. Yacht builders will also benefit from the Cat Pod system as installation costs and time will dramatically decrease. Beginning in 2014, the Pod will be offered for Cat marine pleasure craft engines operating below 1,000 mhp.
“The unique aspect of the solutions we are developing for pleasure craft applications is the ability to leverage Twin Disc technology with the renowned Cat power and performance. We are proud to collaborate with a true innovative, industry leader and look forward to capitalizing on the combined strengths of Twin Disc and Caterpillar,” noted Nigel Parkinson, Caterpillar Marine Power Systems Managing Director. “We are introducing the Pod and Joystick solutions with both yacht owners’ and builders’ needs in mind. Our goal is to provide a superior experience for both and these new solutions will undoubtedly help us to continue to meet these goals.”
Customers will be able to order the Joystick and Pod solutions from the global Cat dealer distribution network. Cat dealers will also provide stellar product support and service on both systems after the sale.
