Three specialists, one joystick
Each company does what it knows. Honda builds the outboard. Ultraflex, an Italian steering maker, provides servo-assisted steering and electronic steer-by-wire, so a computer rather than a cable or hydraulic line decides where the engine points. VETUS adds the BOW PRO at the front.
When you move the Integra JS joystick, the controller steers and throttles the outboard (or outboards) and runs the thruster in proportion. On a single outboard, the engine handles the stern and the BOW PRO moves the bow, which is what lets a one-engine boat respond to a joystick at all. On multi-engine boats the outboards can work against each other for extra sideways push.
The Integra JS joystick itself is listed with Boost, Heading hold, Trim and a GPS position hold (Mainstay) that needs Veratron's Nav Sensor. Those are the joystick's general features; we confirm which are active on a Honda installation before you buy.
Joystick docking for single-outboard boats
Most joystick systems need two or more engines. This one was demonstrated on a Ranieri Next 275 with a single BF350, and Ultraflex's CEO, Piero Gai, says the joystick functions are available on single and multiple Honda outboards. That makes it one of the few routes to joystick docking for a single-engine Honda boat.
- Synchronised: VETUS says engine and thruster work in perfect synchronisation, with less water churned up by the outboard.
- Smooth: VETUS R&D Director Arthur Roeling describes the control as smooth and intuitive.
- Any BOW PRO: VETUS states all BOW PRO and RIMDRIVE thrusters are compatible, so the thruster is sized to the boat.
The newest of the five, and the least tested
We haven't found an independent boat test or owner report of the Honda, Ultraflex and VETUS system yet. Here's the honest picture.
What looks promising
- Single-outboard joystick docking, which most systems don't offer.
- Three established makers each handling their own part.
- The Fisherman (April 2025) lists Honda with the Ultraflex interface among the single-outboard joystick and thruster options.
- The Integra JS joystick is already sold in Australia.
Things to know
- Honda hasn't published a list of supported outboard models; the BF350 is the only one shown so far.
- VETUS hasn't published the connection parts for this setup yet. We confirm them with VETUS for your boat.
- Honda Marine Australia doesn't list the package yet. We check availability with Honda Australia and Ultraflex's local importer before you commit.
- GPS position hold needs an extra sensor.
A promising option for single-outboard Honda owners, but early days locally. If you're planning a Honda repower or new build, call us and we'll find out what can be supplied in Australia. A BOW PRO with its own proportional panel gives you the thruster benefits straight away.
The Honda, Ultraflex and VETUS parts
The parts list for this system isn't published yet. This is the outline; we confirm every line with the three makers.
- HONDAA compatible Honda outboard (model confirmed with Honda)
- ULTRAFLEXSteer-by-wire steering, the Integra JS joystick and its Honda gateway, plus the Veratron Nav Sensor for GPS hold
- VETUSBOW PRO or RIMDRIVE thruster sized for your boat, with the connection parts VETUS specifies
- OPTIONALA VETUS proportional panel for separate thruster control
Running or planning Honda power?
Tell us the boat and the Honda outboard model. We'll check what's available locally and size the BOW PRO.
SOURCES
- Honda Marine: collaboration with Ultraflex and VETUS, Sep 2024
- British Marine: Honda, Ultraflex and VETUS
- VETUS: BOW PRO with Honda and Ultraflex
- Honda Marine Europe: Cannes 2025
- The Fisherman: Is a bow thruster right for you?
- Ultraflex Integra JS (Australian listing)