Dockmate: Wireless Control Without Compromise

When it comes to wireless docking systems, there’s sometimes a misconception that a handheld remote is somehow “less capable” than the boat’s standard controls. Let’s set the record straight: Dockmate is not inferior—it is an extension of the helm.

In fact, during sea trials and captain training sessions, the feedback is consistent: Dockmate mirrors the same precision and responsiveness you’d expect from your vessel’s original controls. It’s built to give owners confidence, not confusion, and it does so with safeguards that ensure reliability.

Accuracy That Matches the Helm

Dockmate isn’t a joystick “add-on” or a simplified push-button gadget. It is engineered to directly interface with the boat’s electronic controls, meaning the accuracy of maneuvers mirrors what happens at the helm. Captains who try it are often surprised at just how seamless the control feels, with proportional throttle and thruster inputs ensuring smooth docking even in challenging conditions.

Safety and Reliability Built In

Understanding Dockmate’s light indicators is important, because they’re only one piece of its safety system. If the unit ever actually disconnects from the receiver, the captain would have experienced both an audible alarm and a vibratory alert on the remote—an unmistakable signal that control had been interrupted.  It is normal that the green "link light" changes to blue when the the handheld remote is not actively engaged. This safeguard eliminates guesswork and reinforces Dockmate’s reliability. 

That’s why professional training captains and seasoned operators alike can trust Dockmate. The system is designed not just for convenience, but for absolute dependability.

Confidence for Every Boater

One survey participant put it best: Dockmate is “an accurate controller for the vessel that allows for ease of handling in close quarters and while docking.” For newer boaters, Dockmate helps build confidence. For experienced captains, it provides freedom—allowing them to step away from the helm and operate the vessel with precision from the best vantage point on deck.

The Bottom Line

Dockmate is not a “crutch.” It’s a tool that extends the helm into your hand, giving you confidence, safety, and control where you need it most. And with its redundant alerts and built-in fail-safes, you can rest assured Dockmate is every bit as reliable as the controls you’ve always trusted. Because when it comes to docking your boat, compromise isn’t an option.