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Below you will find the most common questions about Dockmate®.
Dockmate® is the latest in advanced, yet very affordable wireless remote-control technology for your boat.
Dockmate® will allow you to operate your boat’s electronically controlled engines, thrusters, anchor winch and horn from anywhere aboard your boat using a small handheld device!
YES, Dockmate® has several unique features:
The Dockmate® system works all around the world. Its wireless communication works either over the 868MHz or 433MHz FM band. Dockmate is CE and FCC certified.
In Europe we deliver Dockmate® in the 868MHz version.
In the US, Australia and other countries we deliver Dockmate® in the 433MHz version.
The Dockmate® warranty is 3 years and we also offer a 30 day satisfaction or money back guarantee. And there is no restocking fee.
If the remotes are accidentally dropped overboard, they will float and the warranty will not be voided!
In the unlikely event that your Dockmate® ever needs to be serviced, it can be easily done by your country’s Dockmate® distributor.
Simply stated: NO!
Dockmate® uses its proprietary DockLink™ communication protocol. DockLink™ is an infinitely superior, state of the art 2-way FHSS (Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum) communication with handshake, and GFSK (FM) modulation on the 868MHz or 433 MHz frequency band (depending on your region) that provides superior range.
Dockmate® operates in either the 868 MHz or the 433 MHz FM frequency band. Dockmate® has 72 communication channels at its disposal in the 868 MHz band, and 64 communication channels in the 433 MHz band. FHSS means every Dockmate® uses a unique set of 6 channels (with a minimum 5 channel spread) in the entire band of 72 or 64 channels, and then hops from one frequency to another every 160 to 180ms (about 6x per second). This virtually eliminates any possible chance of interference.
The details above are subject to change, as DockLink™ is regularly improved to optimise the wireless communication and to enhance (and even add) functionality.
Dual band units use only one channel on 433 MHz and one channel on 868 MHz, transmitting only 1-way on AM modulation. The transmission alternates between the two single channels allowing for possible interference and dead spots when you walk around your boat.
NO, Dockmate®’s DockLink™ technology virtually eliminates any possible interference from other systems. (See question: Is dual band better than single band?)
Also, each remote is linked to its own Receiver, which means only your Dockmate® remote can control your boat.
YES, Dockmate® offers optional proportional throttle control on the TWIST remote (the more you push on the joystick, the more throttle is provided) and a predetermined (calibrated) throttle with the SINGLE+ and TWIN+ remotes (push a button and the throttle jumps up to a predetermined RPM).
Dockmate® has been sold worldwide since 2012. Dockmate® is fully licensed, certified and insured.
If your boat is equipped with electronic controls, then it can be equipped with a Dockmate® system.
If your boat has mechanical controls or hydraulic controls, Dockmate® can still be installed with the installation of an electronic to mechanical interface system.
Depending on the existing systems on the vessel, the Dockmate® can connect to the engines through the digital CAN bus technology, through an analogue connection or via a gearbox interface directly to the gearbox solenoids. If Dockmate® has to connect through our Gearbox Driver, Dockmate® will only have gearshift control and no throttle control.
If your boat has mechanical controls or hydraulic controls, Dockmate® can still be installed with the installation of an electronic to mechanical interface system.
The Dockmate® system can control up to 7 functions!
Otherwise unused buttons can be used for other functions. If you don’t have a second anchor, for example, the corresponding buttons on the Dockmate® remote could be used to control a bathing platform instead.
YES, if the boat is equipped with Volvo Penta’s dynamic positioning feature, then Dockmate® can (de)activate that function, if it is connected directly (without the Volvo Penta Gateway).
If the boat is equipped with Mercury Joystick Piloting 2’s Skyhook feature, then Dockmate® can (de)activate that function.
A typical Dockmate® system can be installed in one day or less.
Yes, this is technically possible but may be prohibited or restricted by local legislation/regulation. Please check local regulations to make sure you don’t break the law.
In the US fo example, per FCC regulations, the use of Dockmate® while on the dock is not recommended.
When someone is onboard, the Dockmate® can be used while standing on the dock to move the boat back towards the dock while securing your lines.
Yes, the Dockmate® system has redundant “fail safe” technologies built into both the hardware and software. A few of those safety features are listed below:
Yes, Dockmate® has “Plug and Play” installation capability with many well-known brands, including (but not limited to) the following:
Yes. The Dockmate® system can be easily removed and installed on your new boat.
The modular design enables the system to be modified to suit any vessel with electronic controls.
Some modules may have to be added or replaced to accommodate your new boat’s controls, but you’ll never have to replace the entire Dockmate® system.
There is a battery indicator/status LED that will illuminate red or orange if your batteries are running low. If the batteries are too low, the Dockmate® remote will not transmit, therefore the boat will not go into gear and all functions will default to OFF or NEUTRAL. The boat’s main engine controls can be used if the batteries in the Dockmate® remote are dead.
All new Dockmate® remotes (SINGLE, TWIN, TWIST and VECTOR) have a built-in Li-ion battery and come with a wireless charger. When the battery is fully charged, the Status LED will illuminate blue.
No. For several reasons, we have decided not to include rudder control in Dockmate®.
The most important reason is that you would have no feedback on the Dockmate® remotes about the orientation of your rudder.
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When using a Dockmate® remote, that was charged to 100%, it takes up to 3 hours of constant use (remote actively communicating with the Receiver) to deplete the battery. This translates to a few very difficult and/or long docking manoeuvres, or lasts at least 15 docking manoeuvres of approximately 10 minutes.
During our test charging a Dockmate® remote from empty to completely full takes up to 3 hours. In practice we’ve observed a typical charging time for a Dockmate® remote of 20 to 40 min. For boaters using our latest Dockmate® Cradle, their Dockmate® remote is virtually always charged up and ready for use.
