Quick Nautical Equipment, a flagship brand of Quick Group and a global leader in marine equipment innovation, following the announcement made earlier this year, is proud to confirm that the integration between Quick Nautical Equipment’s bow thrusters and Mercury Marine’s Joystick Piloting system is now officially available on the market—as originally scheduled within the first half of the year.

As of June 2025, Mercury Joystick Piloting system is fully compatible with applicable Quick Nautical Equipment bow thrusters and ready for customer use. This milestone officially marks a significant advancement in onboard maneuverability and control.

Quick Nautical Equipment has specifically developed a gateway that enables seamless integration between its PCS and Mercury’s systems, allowing Mercury's maneuvering joysticks to control QNE bow thrusters. This system can also be retrofitted onto existing QNE installations, provided that the PCS is already in place or will be installed.
 
The integration is enabled via a new version of the Quick Nautical Equipment NCG-T interface, which allows compatible Mercury command systems to control QNE bow thrusters, currently including the BTQ range with MSC and BT-QSY models through PCS system. A software upgrade is requested and available via the Mercury G3 service tool.

 
The integration currently supports the following Mercury Marine engine models:

• V8, V10, and V12 Verado Engines with Joystick Piloting for Outboards

• 4.5L V6 and 6.2L V8 MerCruiser Engines with Joystick Piloting for Sterndrives

• 8.2L V8 MerCruiser Engines with Joystick Piloting for Sterndrives

• 3.0L Mercury Diesel Engines with Joystick Piloting for Sterndrives

• 520 Racing Engines with Joystick Piloting for Sterndrives

• L6 350/400 Engines with Joystick Piloting for Outboards

• 400R, 450R, and 500R Engines with Joystick Piloting for Outboards

This integration represents a new level of synergy between propulsion and maneuvering systems, delivering unmatched control and confidence to boaters worldwide.

It also reinforces Quick Group’s position as a leader in smart marine systems and highlights its commitment to strategic partnerships with top industry players like Mercury Marine; advancing cutting-edge technology that enhances performance and the overall boating experience.