First in Oceania: Aquila 54' owner raises the bar with ZF TotalCommand
by Erin Ponton, ZF Marine 9 Jul 03:56 BST
Aquila 54' luxury power catamaran is the first vessel in Oceania to fit ZF's advanced TotalCommand marine propulsion control system - July 2026 © ZF Marine
As marine technology continues to evolve, vessel owners are increasingly seeking solutions that make boating safer, simpler and more enjoyable.
That pursuit of greater control has seen one Aquila 54’ luxury catamaran become the first vessel in Oceania to be fitted with ZF's advanced TotalCommand marine propulsion control system.
The retrofit was driven by a desire for more than just basic vessel operation. While the factory-installed controls provided traditional throttle and steering functionality, the owner was looking for a higher level of manoeuvrability and ease of operation.
According to the catamaran’s skipper Scott, the decision ultimately came down to one key capability.
"TotalCommand was chosen because the factory controls only had basic throttle controls and steering. The client liked the idea of having joystick control for easy manoeuvring," he explained.
The result is a vessel that is significantly easier to handle, particularly in docking situations and close-quarters manoeuvring where precision is critical.
"The vessel is much, much easier to operate," Scott said.
"It's just the ease of being able to control the vessel without any complexities."
Designed for both leisure and commercial vessels, TotalCommand combines advanced propulsion management technology with intuitive operation.
The system delivers improved clutch responsiveness, optimised proportional control and adaptive engagement across both lock-up and trolling modes, providing smoother and more predictable vessel behaviour. That smoothness is immediately noticeable from the helm.
"It's definitely a much smoother transition between neutral and engaging gears," Scott said.
"The boat reacts much more smoothly rather than the aggressive gear engagement and disengagement you get with some older technologies."
For a vessel of this size, trolling mode has proven to be one of the standout features.
"Without troll mode, engaging gears at low speed can make the boat much more aggressive to handle, especially in close manoeuvring situations," Scott explained.
"With TotalCommand, you can push the joystick proportionately and the vessel moves at a much lower rate. If you need more speed, you simply push a little further and away it goes."
To further enhance docking and vessel handling, additional joystick stations have been installed on both the port and starboard outboard sides of the vessel.
Operators can seamlessly transfer control between stations with the touch of a button.
"The transition between stations is phenomenal," Scott said.
"You simply press one button, move to another station, press the command button and you've instantly got control in that new location."
One feature that has particularly impressed both the owner and skipper is iAnchor®, ZF's intelligent position-hold technology.
"iAnchor is a fantastic feature," Scott said. "Whether you're finding the perfect spot to anchor or simply holding the boat off while waiting to pick someone up from a wharf, it makes life very easy."
The system automatically adjusts engines and thrusters to maintain both vessel position and heading, even when wind, current and tide are working against it.
"The beauty is that it holds both position and heading," Scott explained.
"The vessel stays facing the same direction while continuously adjusting to the conditions around it."
For more challenging conditions, TotalCommand's Boost Mode provides additional responsiveness and thrust when manoeuvring.
"When you engage Boost Mode, you get an additional level of thrust and a better response time," Scott said.
"It provides more traction in the water and more response to your inputs."
Another key benefit comes from the system's integrated monitoring and diagnostics capabilities. Embedded sensors provide real-time telematics and performance data, while ZF's optional 5-inch colour display presents critical operating information directly at the helm.
"Being able to see propeller speed, gear positions and any fault codes straight away is definitely handy," Scott said.
"Instead of seeing a warning light and wondering what's wrong, you've got information right there in front of you."
The connectivity also provides valuable support when troubleshooting.
"If there is an issue we can't diagnose ourselves, it's great to be able to call somebody who can potentially look into the system remotely and see what's happening," he said.
"That can significantly reduce downtime."
Beyond its technological advantages, TotalCommand also brings a premium aesthetic to the helm station. Developed in collaboration with renowned Italian designers Giorgetto and Fabrizio Giugiaro, the control levers and joystick combine ergonomic comfort with contemporary styling.
For this Aquila 54’ installation, the owner selected the all-black finish to complement the vessel's existing helm layout.
"I think the owner chose black because the dashboard and instrumentation were already black, so it tied everything together nicely," Scott said.
The flexibility of the platform has also proven valuable. TotalCommand can support up to six fixed control stations and is compatible with CAN-based wired and wireless remote-control platforms.
Expansion is straightforward, with additional controls able to be added quickly through a plug-and-play architecture.
"When the owner saw the system operating from the helm, he decided he wanted additional joystick stations," Scott said.
"The installation was incredibly easy. It was essentially plug-and-play and completed in less than half a day."
For Scott, however, the greatest benefit is simple.
"The bottom line is that it makes operating a larger vessel child's play," he said.
"The functionality and control are so much better than the traditional approach of separate thruster controls and separate throttles. It all just makes life easier."
As the first-ever TotalCommand installation in Oceania, this Aquila 54’ is setting a new benchmark for vessel control in the region.
More than just a technology upgrade, the project demonstrates how advanced propulsion management systems can fundamentally transform the boating experience, making larger vessels easier, safer and more enjoyable to operate.
With intuitive joystick control, intelligent positioning technologies and seamless system integration, TotalCommand has delivered exactly what the owner was seeking: complete confidence at the helm.
For more information about TotalCommand, visit zf.com/marine.