Fully integrated Assisted docking system

Easy boat docking

Take control with Volvo Penta Assisted Docking — the next generation of marine automation. It allows you to compensate for some external factors, i.e., wind and current, as well as maneuver in tight spaces, enabling safer and easy boat docking when facing the challenges of crowded marinas.

Elements

Wind and current. Two temperamental, deceptive forces. Docking a boat in windy conditions or when the current is strong can be difficult due to their unpredictability —changing from gentle to strong in an instant, creating an obstacle to easy boat docking.

Space

It’s a space issue. Crowded marinas and tight slips present a challenge for any boater. Docking a boat by yourself where there are physical obstacles can be stressful for anyone on the water.

Assisted Docking is a new boat docking system that compensates for some external elemental forces and allows you to navigate tight areas with higher precision. Combining automation with control, it provides ease to seasoned boaters and beginners learning how to dock a boat. The system helps to keep the course intended by the captain, who must always be at the helm and in control of the boat.

Ease

Difficult becomes easy

Assisted Docking puts enhanced control into the hands of the captain. From moving in straight lines without manual compensation, to rotating around a fixed point—boat docking is now easier than ever before.

Safety

Risky becomes safer

Assisted Docking ensures that the boat is more responsive to the captain’s intentions, making docking a boat by yourself safer and easier.

Enjoyment

Stressful becomes fun

The Volvo Penta Assisted Docking system leaves more room for the enjoyable parts of boating. A hybrid between automated docking and manual docking, it lets all boaters feel more like seasoned captains.

Control at your fingertips

With the joystick, you control the boat’s path and speed, while the system compensates for much of the wind and current. Push the joystick forward and the system lays out a straight path that the boat follows. At any time, you can release the joystick and your boat will stay in a fixed position.

When standing still, you can turn the joystick to rotate around a fixed position. By twisting the joystick, you can turn in small increments in any direction to improve your alignment — still without drifting off path.

Move your boat close to the dock by tapping the joystick in small increments. Then fix your position against the dock by pushing the joystick to the side and activate the “Side Push” feature on your display. This will assist you by keeping your boat’s position against the dock while it is being tied up, or you let a passenger on or off.

Assisted Docking is a boat docking system based on our existing technology — fully integrated from helm to prop. If your boat is equipped with the following, you can make the next generation of marine automation yours.

Drive line

Inboard Performance System (IPS)

The Volvo Penta Assisted Docking system is retrofittable in boats with IPS from 2012 and onwards. IPS improves power, performance as well as comfort for boaters. The individually steerable pods allow you to move the boat in any direction with complete control, and the steering angles and thrust are constantly recalculated to keep the boat in position.

Steering

Joystick

The joystick is the link between the captain and the function. It offers an easy way to maneuver with precision, both while driving and boat docking. Combined with Assisted Docking, the joystick offers captains of any level of experience ease and control at their fingertips.

Positioning

Dynamic Positioning System

Assisted Docking builds on the technology provided by Dynamic Positioning System, which keeps the boat’s heading and position when preparing to dock, waiting to refuel or for a bridge to open. Upgrade your antenna to the latest model (which will fit on your current mount) for Assisted Docking to work.

Display

Glass Cockpit System

The Glass Cockpit System collects and displays all driver information in one place via a single interface. You can easily see when you are utilizing the Volvo Penta Assisted Docking system, with blue lines appearing forwards or sideways, or a circle that indicates what assistance you are getting. It also constantly shows the level of force used to keep you in the current conditions.

Assisted Docking is the latest of a series of marine automations by Volvo Penta. We also have innovations that can help improve your experience on the water, today.

Maneuvering

Autopilot

The Volvo Penta Autopilot with Shadow Drive is a complete auto-steering solution – and the perfect support to the boat driver. It delivers accurate course keeping and smooth course turns at all speeds.

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Dynamics

Dynamic Positioning System

Based on advanced GPS technology, the Dynamic Positioning System allows the driver to maintain the boat’s heading and exact position — perfect for when docking a boat by yourself, re-fueling, or waiting for a bridge to open.

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Maneuvering

Water Sport Control

Keeping a constant speed is critical to creating the ultimate water sport experience. Water Sport Control makes it easy, allowing drivers to dial in the desired speed and trim thanks to the automatic, GPS-based control system.

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Dynamics

Automatic Boat Trim System

The Automatic Boat Trim System enhances comfort and safety by automatically keeping the preset preferred boat altitude. It compensates for changes in speed, wind or people moving about on board. Thanks to the integrated GPS receiver, it senses changes in course and does not compensate for heeling in turns.

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Dynamics

Interceptor System with Active Ride Control

A boat trim system for simpler, safer and more comfortable driving. The precise Manual control function can be extended with three fully automatic modes. Active Ride Control effectively diminishes pitch and roll motion by up to 60% at cruising speeds, reducing the risk of sea sickness.