Surface drives have long featured aboard fast craft. As far as speed-loving adrenaline junkies are concerned, there really is no other kind of drive. These propulsion systems do deliver superior performance but are quite complex for inexperienced pleasure boaters to use. This technical and cultural stumbling block has been well and truly swept aside by TOPSYSTEM and its surface drives, which combine the technical advantages of this type of propulsion (reduced drag, more efficient use of power) with ease of use and control, thereby opening up a whole new era for the performance boat sector. All thanks to a completely automated control system that is the fruit of a partnership between TS Drive Srl – owner of the TOPSYSTEM SURFACE DRIVE brand – and XENTA. Onyx, a leading company in the naval electronics sector, also collaborated on the developing the software that controls the system.
The integrated devices electronically and completely autonomously adjust the variable trim and direction surface drives. The patented “EASY SET®” electronic system comprises a series of components that interact electronically with each other to provide complete automated control of the boat.
A complete system was installed aboard the very fast Rizzardi 48 IN open and coupled with the Topsystem TS-65 surface drives. It comprises a hydraulic helm controlled by the XENTA-developed Helm by Wire electronic module. The latter module can be programmed to produce two different versions: “Passive” with the wheel (helm) passive and driving managed by a variable (electromagnetic) brake which allows the steering effort and rotation limit to be adjusted as a function of the boat’s speed and performance. In the Tactile, version, on the other hand, the helm is active, which means it will deliver unique feedback to the helmsman, giving them a genuine automotive-style driving experience. When tiller is in the central position, the system will automatically activate the “Autocourse” function, which maintains the selected bow direction, so that the helmsman doesn’t have to make continuous corrections. While underway, the Tactile systems adapts the sensitivity of the wheel and its rotation limit to consistently deliver smooth, precise turns.
The XENTA Joystick for surface drives is another component integrated with the EasySet system. This is a revolutionary device, which hailed a groundbreaking leap forward that allows complete control of both drives. The two rudders-drives move independently of each other as there is no tie-bar connecting them. The Joystick has a choice of two modes also: Docking and Cruise.
In Docking mode, the drives are autonomously controlled which allows the helmsman to focus on executing just the right maneuver and leave it up to the system to control the action of the engines and the drives. This makes even 360° rotation and moving sideways exceptionally simple.
Underway, the helmsman can also activate Cruise mode, which means he can accelerate and steer the boat using just the Joystick. The software controls the drives independently to vary the center distance between the two drives to find the optimal performance point.
In Docking mode, the propulsion units are controlled autonomously, translating the Joystick movements into the boat’s movements. This allows the helmsman to focus on executing just the right maneuver and leave it up to the system to control the action of the engines and the drives.
An important optional for this module is the DPS (Dynamic Positioning System) which automatically holds the boat in whatever position the helmsman requires.