{"product_id":"mercury-thruster-control-98-8m0173980","title":"Mercury – Thruster Control Kit for Joystick Piloting | Control System | 98-8M0173980","description":"\u003cp data-start=\"0\" data-end=\"88\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"0\" data-end=\"88\"\u003eMercury – Thruster Control Kit for Joystick Piloting | Control System | 98-8M0173980\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr data-start=\"90\" data-end=\"93\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"95\" data-end=\"511\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"95\" data-end=\"107\"\u003eOverview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"107\" data-end=\"110\"\u003eThis thruster control kit is the core piece that lets a single-engine pontoon run Joystick Piloting the way it’s meant to. It ties the thruster into the system so the boat can slide sideways, pivot, and ease into tight spots without a lot of wheel work. The response feels steady and predictable, even when the wind gets pushy. Once installed, big pontoons handle more like small boats at slow speeds.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr data-start=\"513\" data-end=\"516\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"518\" data-end=\"1001\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"518\" data-end=\"534\"\u003eKey Features\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"534\" data-end=\"537\"\u003e • \u003cstrong data-start=\"540\" data-end=\"567\"\u003eThruster Control Module\u003c\/strong\u003e – Links the thruster to the joystick system for smooth low-speed maneuvering.\u003cbr data-start=\"645\" data-end=\"648\"\u003e • \u003cstrong data-start=\"651\" data-end=\"678\"\u003ePontoon-Specific Design\u003c\/strong\u003e – Built for single-engine pontoon platforms.\u003cbr data-start=\"723\" data-end=\"726\"\u003e • \u003cstrong data-start=\"729\" data-end=\"748\"\u003eJPO Integration\u003c\/strong\u003e – Works directly with Joystick Piloting for Outboards.\u003cbr data-start=\"803\" data-end=\"806\"\u003e • \u003cstrong data-start=\"809\" data-end=\"838\"\u003eSteady Low-Speed Handling\u003c\/strong\u003e – Helps the boat move cleanly sideways or pivot in place.\u003cbr data-start=\"896\" data-end=\"899\"\u003e • \u003cstrong data-start=\"902\" data-end=\"934\"\u003eSmooth Network Communication\u003c\/strong\u003e – Sends clean commands between the joystick, engine, and thruster.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr data-start=\"1003\" data-end=\"1006\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1008\" data-end=\"1165\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1008\" data-end=\"1039\"\u003eEngine \u0026amp; Boat Compatibility\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"1039\" data-end=\"1042\"\u003e • Joystick Piloting for Outboards\u003cbr data-start=\"1076\" data-end=\"1079\"\u003e • Single-engine pontoons\u003cbr data-start=\"1104\" data-end=\"1107\"\u003e • Digital Throttle and Shift\u003cbr data-start=\"1136\" data-end=\"1139\"\u003e • Thruster-equipped boats\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr data-start=\"1167\" data-end=\"1170\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1172\" data-end=\"1548\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1172\" data-end=\"1208\"\u003ePerformance \u0026amp; Practical Benefits\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"1208\" data-end=\"1211\"\u003eOn the water, the thruster control takes a lot of stress out of close-quarters handling. Sliding into a slip or holding position on a windy afternoon feels more controlled and less rushed. The boat reacts to small joystick inputs without jerking or fighting you. It makes big pontoons feel easier to manage in marinas or narrow channels.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr data-start=\"1550\" data-end=\"1553\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1555\" data-end=\"1886\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1555\" data-end=\"1570\"\u003eWhy Buy OEM\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"1570\" data-end=\"1573\"\u003eOEM components keep the thruster, joystick, and DTS outboard in sync, which means fewer glitches and smoother reactions. Mercury’s tuning keeps the system consistent over time, so the handling feel doesn’t slowly change from season to season. It’s the reliable way to get proper joystick maneuvering on a pontoon.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr data-start=\"1888\" data-end=\"1891\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1893\" data-end=\"2073\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1893\" data-end=\"1900\"\u003eFAQ\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"1900\" data-end=\"1903\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1903\" data-end=\"1910\"\u003eQ1:\u003c\/strong\u003e How do I know if I need a thruster control kit?\u003cbr data-start=\"1958\" data-end=\"1961\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1961\" data-end=\"1967\"\u003eA:\u003c\/strong\u003e If your pontoon struggles with sideways movement or wind during docking, this kit makes a big difference.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2075\" data-end=\"2223\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"2075\" data-end=\"2082\"\u003eQ2:\u003c\/strong\u003e Does it require setup after installation?\u003cbr data-start=\"2124\" data-end=\"2127\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"2127\" data-end=\"2133\"\u003eA:\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes, the JPO system needs a quick calibration so the thruster and outboard work together.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2225\" data-end=\"2358\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"2225\" data-end=\"2232\"\u003eQ3:\u003c\/strong\u003e Is it okay for saltwater?\u003cbr data-start=\"2258\" data-end=\"2261\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"2261\" data-end=\"2267\"\u003eA:\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes—just rinse the thruster openings and helm components as part of your washdown routine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2360\" data-end=\"2514\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"2360\" data-end=\"2367\"\u003eQ4:\u003c\/strong\u003e What should I plan for before installing?\u003cbr data-start=\"2409\" data-end=\"2412\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"2412\" data-end=\"2418\"\u003eA:\u003c\/strong\u003e Make sure the boat has space for the thruster hardware and proper DTS rigging already in place.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2516\" data-end=\"2656\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"2516\" data-end=\"2523\"\u003eQ5:\u003c\/strong\u003e What if the thruster reacts slowly or inconsistently?\u003cbr data-start=\"2577\" data-end=\"2580\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"2580\" data-end=\"2586\"\u003eA:\u003c\/strong\u003e That’s usually a calibration or network issue, not the module itself.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Mercury","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46933550858531,"sku":"98-8M0173980","price":770.33,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0783\/7410\/9475\/files\/PV861448.jpg?v=1720534985","url":"https:\/\/partsvu.com\/fr\/products\/mercury-thruster-control-98-8m0173980","provider":"PartsVu","version":"1.0","type":"link"}