Provided is a system for protecting submerged components of a watercraft from collision with a submerged object or a floor of a body of water. The system includes a depth sensor configured to measure a water depth beneath the watercraft, an actuated mechanism configured to adjust a depth of at least one of the submerged components, and a controller in communication with the depth sensor and the actuated mechanism. The controller is operable to receive the measured water depth and control the actuated mechanism to adjust the depth of the at least one submerged component as a function of the measured water depth to prevent the at least one submerged component from colliding with the submerged object or floor of the body of water.

A multi-anchor depth control system for a boat or other watercraft having a line for securing anchors to the boat, at least two anchors attached at or near opposing ends of the line, a depth finder, and a controller configured to automatically adjust the amount of line released from the boat to maintain the anchors on the floor of the body of water in which the boat is floating, based upon information obtained from the depth finder.

A trolling device for a boat includes a trolling motor and a control mechanism. The control mechanism controls at least one of the speed and the direction of the trolling motor. The control mechanism is configured to receive control instructions from an electronic GPS mapping computer to cause the trolling motor to maintain a controlled drift of the fishing boat with respect to an anchor point, water current rate, water current direction, wind, and/or wave action.

A watercraft mounting system that embodies a moving mounting platform and a protective hull cavity which provides protection, prevents damage and improves storage of data collection systems.

A trolling device for a boat includes a trolling motor and a control mechanism. The control mechanism controls at least one of the speed and the direction of the trolling motor. The control mechanism is configured to receive control instructions from an electronic GPS mapping computer to cause the trolling motor to maintain a controlled drift of the fishing boat with respect to an anchor point, water current rate, water current direction, wind, and/or wave action.

A trolling device for a boat includes a trolling motor and a control mechanism. The control mechanism controls at least one of the speed and the direction of the trolling motor. The control mechanism is configured to receive control instructions from an electronic GPS mapping computer to cause the trolling motor to establish an anchor point near a dock to enable entry to the fishing boat or exit from the fishing boat.

A watercraft mounting system that embodies a moving mounting platform and a protective hull cavity which provides protection, prevents damage and improves storage of data collection systems.

Sonar systems and associated methods are provided herein for sonar image generation. The sonar system is configured to enable rotation of a transducer array that includes at least two transducer elements. The transducer array may be mounted to a trolling motor capable of being rotated. The transducer elements can be positioned to enable use of interferometry to obtain angle information regarding sonar returns. The angle and range of each sonar return can be used to form images, such as a 2D forward looking image of the underwater environment. A heading detector can be used to obtain a heading of the transducer elements to enable creation of a 2D radar-like image of the underwater environment. Additionally, the heading, angle, and range of the sonar returns can be used to form a 3D image of the underwater environment.

A powered watercraft system including a watercraft body, a propulsion system, a sensor configured to measure a value indicative of a manually-generated time-variable first propulsive force resulting from a body motion of the user to move the watercraft body, and a controller configured control the propulsion system to generate a second propulsive force for powering the watercraft body based on the value indicative of the first propulsive force, the generated second propulsive force being at least partially contemporary with the first propulsive force.

A jettison device isolates an object, particularly a potentially hazardous object on a ship, platform or similar object. The jettison device includes a housing with an opening configured to face towards an outside region, and a container configured to hold one or more of the objects. The jettison device further includes a container lock and a container jettison. A ship, platform or other vessel includes at least one of the jettison devices above and at least one jettison device arranged in or near a hull surface with the opening facing a region outside the hull surface.