Stabilizer is provided for joining parallel shafts in a marine environment and including a split bushing to permit one shaft to move rotationally and longitudinally relative to the stabilizer.

A propeller assembly is provided for mounting on a rotatable propeller shaft having a terminal end. The propeller assembly includes a housing structure extending along a longitudinal axis and having first and second ends. The housing structure includes an inner surface defining a cavity and an opening in the second end in communication with the cavity. A bushing assembly has first and second ends and includes an outer surface engageablc with the inner surface of the housing structure. An adaptor has first and second sides and is adapted for receipt on the propeller shaft. The adaptor has an enlarged portion having a diameter greater than a diameter of the opening in the second end of the housing structure. A nut is receivable on the terminal end of the propeller shaft. The nut is threadable on the propeller shaft to a tightened configuration wherein the nut engages the adaptor and maintains the propeller assembly on the propeller shaft. The nut, in the tightened configuration, the first side of the adaptor engages the second end of the bushing assembly and the enlarged portion of the adaptor is spaced from the second end of the housing structure.

A control device for an outboard motor controls a plurality of outboard motors included in a ship. Each outboard motor includes a propulsion unit and a steering actuator. The ship includes an operation unit that operates the steering actuator and the propulsion unit. The operation unit can be positioned at a first position at which the outboard motors do not generate a propulsion force for the ship, a second position at which the outboard motors generate a propulsion force for moving the ship in a leftward-rightward direction, and a third position at which the outboard motors generate a propulsion force for moving the ship in an oblique direction that forms an acute angle with the leftward-rightward direction. A forward-backward direction component of a propulsion force in the oblique direction which is generated by the outboard motors.

This application describes clutch mechanisms for use in a steering control system, e.g., a steering control system used to steer a trolling motor for a boat. Such clutch mechanisms can reduce and avoid damage to the steering control system (e.g., a steering motor) when the system is subjected to unusually large impact loads (e.g., when the trolling motor or boat contacts an obstruction). The clutches described in this application can be used to decouple the steering control system from a steering shaft (or other drive mechanism) upon application of a large impact load, thus reducing damage to and increasing the lifespan of such system. In some cases, the clutch is a ball and spring mechanism. In other cases, the clutch is a slip tooth mechanism.

This application describes clutch mechanisms for use in a steering control system, e.g., a steering control system used to steer a trolling motor for a boat. Such clutch mechanisms can reduce and avoid damage to the steering control system (e.g., a steering motor) when the system is subjected to unusually large impact loads (e.g., when the trolling motor or boat contacts an obstruction). The clutches described in this application can be used to decouple the steering control system from a steering shaft (or other drive mechanism) upon application of a large impact load, thus reducing damage to and increasing the lifespan of such system. In some cases, the clutch is a ball and spring mechanism. In other cases, the clutch is a slip tooth mechanism.

A fish finder transducer mount apparatus for independently controlling a directional transducer and trolling motor includes a clamp body. A motor clamp is coupled to the clamp body. The motor clamp is selectively engageable with the clamp body and configured to secure the apparatus to a propeller shaft of a trolling motor. A directional transducer shaft is rotatably coupled to the clamp body and a directional transducer shaft bottom end of the directional transducer shaft to receive a directional transducer of a fish finder. A gearing system is coupled to the directional transducer shaft to rotate the directional transducer shaft. A handle is coupled to the gearing system. The handle comprises an extension portion secured by a user to manipulate the orientation of the directional transducer shaft.

A built-in propulsion system includes an engine, a diversion unit with a diversion base and an exhaust pipe, and a propulsion unit. The diversion base is connected to the engine, having a water inlet, a water outlet, a diversion channel in communication between the water inlet and the water outlet, a shaft hole above the water inlet and an exhaust chamber behind the shaft hole. The exhaust pipe is fixed on the outer periphery surface of the diversion base in communication with the exhaust chamber. The propulsion unit includes a transmission shaft inserted through the shaft hole and connected to the engine, and an impeller located in the diversion channel and connected to the transmission shaft. The exhaust pipe is used to exhaust the exhaust gas of the engine to the outside of the diversion base to avoid the interference of the exhaust gas and the water flow.

A trolling motor has a steering motor transmitting torque to a steering shaft, which is coupled to a lower propulsion unit such that rotation of the steering shaft rotates the propulsion unit about a steering axis. A controller is in signal communication with the steering motor. A foot pedal in signal communication with the controller has a foot pad pivotable about a pivot axis and sends electrical steering signals to the controller (and thus steering motor) in response to pivoting of the foot pad. A variable resistance device is coupled to the foot pedal and controllable to vary resistance to pivoting of the foot pad about the pivot axis based on a position, velocity, acceleration, and/or jerk of the steering shaft. Additionally or alternatively, the variable resistance device provides haptic feedback to a user via the foot pad to inform the user about information related to the trolling motor system.

A marine power supply system includes a battery unit including a first battery to supply power to a starter that starts an engine, and a second battery to supply power to an electric motor, and a power distributor connected to the first battery and the second battery. The power distributor outputs a demand power amount of power required by the first battery to the first battery, and outputs at least a portion of surplus power to the second battery when a total demand power amount required by the battery unit includes the surplus power.

An outboard motor includes a power converter to convert AC power generated by a generator that generates power by operation of a drive engine into DC power and to supply converted DC power to a plurality of batteries, a voltage detector to detect a voltage value of the DC power converted by the power converter, and a phase angle controller configured or programmed to perform a retarding/advancing control until the voltage value of the DC power becomes equal to or higher than a first preset voltage value, which is higher than a voltage value at a start of the retarding/advancing control.