Recreational boating has significantly changed over the last few years: it has indeed followed the fast flow of modernity, made of rapid approaches, complete information, “friendly” electronics and immediate control, moving beyond the traditional concept of experience. As we all know, today people can buy and dry a Ferrari without the know-how which was required when these cars had no management electronics and current “servo controls”. Well, recreational boating goes in the same direction and Mercury Marine is one among the most attentive interpreters in this respect.
Two of the products that best convey this trend are the new Vessel View Mobile App and Active Trim device.Â
The first is a recent product, presented and launched in North America at the end of 2016 and now available for free download from App Store and Google Play  in Europe, too. Equipped with advanced “Vessel View” on-board displays, able to integrate a considerable amount of data concerning engine, generator, systems, fish-finder and so on, the application joins the data network managed by on-board SmartCraft operating system thanks to Bluetooth Low Energy 4.0 (BLE).
Not only all boat data become immediately available on your favourite mobile device (smartphone or tablet) but the application also provides with additional functions, such as data storage, performance summary, maintenance reminders, position data mapping and fault code diagnostics.
Furthermore, the App provides with information about the position and proximity of filling stations, assistance centres, restaurants and anything useful for a full sailing experience. The application is able to manage all Mercury SmartCraft-capable engines built since 2003 (40 hp and up).Â
The second Mercury Marine product that contributes to make boat steering easier is called Active Trim. The key to Mercury’s Active Trim is its exclusive and patented GPS-based control system which controls the trim in accordance with two data: boat speed and engine rpm. This allows a precise trim adjustment even in situations where a relatively high engine rpm is not matched by equal speed.Â
Active Trim is a very versatile device, complementary to manual trim adjustment. If you manually enter trim setting, by raising engine at low speed to cross low sea bottoms for instance, the system enters standby mode. To reactivate or disengage it, if conditions make you prefer a direct steering control, you only need to press the button.Â
premere un pulsante.
Five leds on correspond to an equal number of trim curves: the first are more suitable for boats with loads on the stern while the last ones are better in case of loads located on the bow. When speed exceeds 50 knots or when engine rpm range is higher than 80% of maximum speed, the Active Trim gets disengaged automatically memorizing the last position.
The advantages offered by the system are evident: the precise trim adjustment simplifies boat operation while improving engine performance and decreasing fuel costs. New boaters are immediately able to properly trim boat engines with no intimidating learning curve, and experienced boaters can get the benefit of perfect trimming without constantly monitoring and adjusting trim with changes to boat speed or when going into turns. The device is compatible with Mercury four-stroke outboards (40 hp up) and Mercury two-stroke SmartCraft-capable outboards equipped with digital trim controls.
