An outboard motor includes: an outboard motor body including a propeller driven by an internal combustion engine; a mounting portion configured to mount the outboard motor body to a hull so as to be movable relative to the hull; and an operation mechanism provided between the outboard motor body and the mounting portion and configured to adjust a relative position of the outboard motor body with respect to the hull. The operation mechanism is a link-type operation mechanism including a hydraulic cylinder as an actuator.

An outboard motor includes: an outboard motor body including a propeller driven by an internal combustion engine; a mounting portion configured to mount the outboard motor body to a hull so as to be movable relative to the hull; and an operation mechanism provided between the outboard motor body and the mounting portion and configured to adjust a relative position of the outboard motor body with respect to the hull. The operation mechanism is a link-type operation mechanism including a hydraulic cylinder as an actuator.

A marine propulsion system for a marine vessel includes a first marine propulsion device rotatable with respect to the marine vessel about at least one of a first steering axis and a first tilt-trim axis and a second marine propulsion device rotatable with respect to the marine vessel about at least one of a second steering axis and a second tilt-trim axis. A first control module controls operation of the first marine propulsion device, and a second control module controls operation of the second marine propulsion device. In response to one of the first and second marine propulsion devices being commanded to rotate about at least one of its respective first or second steering axis and its respective first or second tilt-trim axis, the respective first or second control module of the other of the first and second marine propulsion devices is turned ON.

The invention relates to a platform arrangement (110) mounted to a stern portion of a marine vessel (100). The platform arrangement comprises at least one first platform section (111) with a first transverse pivot joint (113) mounted adjacent a transom (105); at least one propulsion unit (101) mounted to a lower surface of the first platform section (111), wherein the at least one propulsion unit (101) and its first platform section (111) are tiltable between a drive position and an upwards tilted position. A second platform section (112) is located in front of the at least one first platform section (111), which second platform section (112) has a second transverse pivot joint (114) mounted adjoining the first transverse pivot joint (113) of a corresponding first platform section (111). The first and second platform sections (112) are foldable relative to each other about their respective first and second pivot joints (113; 114). The invention further relates to a vessel comprising the platform arrangement.

A vessel operation system includes an outboard motor or other propulsion apparatus disposed on a hull, a trolling motor mounted externally to the hull, a joystick or other first operator, and a controller. The joystick is operated by a vessel operator in order to indicate at least one of a magnitude and a direction of a thrust that the outboard motor is to apply to the hull. In a state in which the trolling motor is generating a first thrust, the controller controls the outboard motor so as to generate a second thrust in accordance with a command indicated by the joystick. Additionally, the controller controls the trolling motor so that the first thrust changes.

A vessel operation system includes an outboard motor or other propulsion apparatus disposed on a hull, a trolling motor mounted externally to the hull, a joystick or other first operator, and a controller. The joystick is operated by a vessel operator in order to indicate at least one of a magnitude and a direction of a thrust that the outboard motor is to apply to the hull. In a state in which the trolling motor is generating a first thrust, the controller controls the outboard motor so as to generate a second thrust in accordance with a command indicated by the joystick. Additionally, the controller controls the trolling motor so that the first thrust changes.

A system for locking a trolling motor assembly in a stowed position on a watercraft is provided herein. The system comprises a trolling motor assembly attached to the watercraft, wherein the trolling motor assembly is movable between the stowed position and a deployed position. The system further includes a locking mechanism mounted to the watercraft and configured to interact with the trolling motor assembly when the trolling motor assembly is in the stowed position. The locking mechanism defines a locked state and an unlocked state and is configured to transition between the states. The system additionally includes a controller having a memory including program code configured to, when executed, cause a processor to determine an instance in which to transition the locking mechanism from the locked state to the unlocked state and, in response, cause the locking mechanism to transition from the locked state to the unlocked state.

A stern and swivel bracket assembly for mounting a drive unit to a watercraft has a stern bracket having first and second laterally spaced portions, a swivel bracket pivotally connected to the stern bracket about a tilt/trim axis, and a hydraulic linear tilt-trim actuator operatively connected between the stern and swivel brackets. The swivel bracket includes a hydraulic steering actuator, and defines first and second hydraulic steer ports facing outward in a first lateral direction. The swivel bracket further includes at least one drive unit mounting bracket connected to the hydraulic steering actuator for connecting the drive unit to the swivel bracket. The hydraulic linear tilt-trim actuator is located laterally between the first and second portions of the stern bracket, and defines trim-up and trim-down hydraulic ports facing outward in a second lateral direction opposite the first lateral direction.

A stern and swivel bracket assembly for mounting a drive unit to a watercraft has a stern bracket having first and second laterally spaced portions, a swivel bracket pivotally connected to the stern bracket about a tilt/trim axis, and a hydraulic linear tilt-trim actuator operatively connected between the stern and swivel brackets. The swivel bracket includes a hydraulic steering actuator, and defines first and second hydraulic steer ports facing outward in a first lateral direction. The swivel bracket further includes at least one drive unit mounting bracket connected to the hydraulic steering actuator for connecting the drive unit to the swivel bracket. The hydraulic linear tilt-trim actuator is located laterally between the first and second portions of the stern bracket, and defines trim-up and trim-down hydraulic ports facing outward in a second lateral direction opposite the first lateral direction.

Combination of boat and outboard engine, in which at least one outboard engine is fastened to the transom of the boat in a prearranged position, the engine being mounted to translate along a path with at least one motion component having a vertical orientation in a direction away from or close to the waterline of the boat, that is, of smaller or greater propeller draft, and a motion component having a horizontal or longitudinal orientation in a direction away from or close to the transom of the boat.