A dual axis joystick control system is used intuitively for maneuvring a waterborne vessel having two or more waterjets with steering deflectors (13) and reverse ducts (14) mounted independently of the steering deflectors. The joystick (21) is operated to actuate the reverse ducts of the port and starboard waterjets for either common or differential deflections of thrust, and to actuate the steering deflectors of the port and starboard waterjets for common deflections of thrust.