A pontoon boat including a thruster system is disclosed. The pontoon boat executes various operations relating to a speed and heading of the pontoon boat.

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.

An actuator for imparting steering movement to a tiller of a propulsion unit of a marine vessel comprises an absolute position sensor which senses a steering position and a relative position sensor which senses a position of the motor. A steering control unit calibrates the relative position sensor based on a signal of the absolute position sensor. Calibration of the relative position sensor based on a signal of the absolute position sensor initializes an accumulative position which accumulates a relative position as the actuator moves over time.

A steering device for an outboard motor is rotatably supported on a hull of a boat about a steering axis. The steering device includes a tiller handle, an actuator, and a linkage. The tiller handle is attached to the outboard motor. The actuator rotates the tiller handle about the steering axis. The link linkage is movably disposed between a connection position and a blocking position. The linkage transmits the driving force from the actuator to the tiller handle at the connection position. The linkage shuts off the transmission of the driving force from the actuator to the tiller handle at the blocking position.

A steering device for an outboard motor is rotatably supported on a hull of a boat about a steering axis. The steering device includes a tiller handle, an actuator, and a linkage. The tiller handle is attached to the outboard motor. The actuator rotates the tiller handle about the steering axis. The link linkage is movably disposed between a connection position and a blocking position. The linkage transmits the driving force from the actuator to the tiller handle at the connection position. The linkage shuts off the transmission of the driving force from the actuator to the tiller handle at the blocking position.

A method for controlling a trim-tilt angle of a propulsion unit of a marine outboard motor. The method includes: receiving a request to increase the trim-tilt angle of the propulsion unit; determining a motor operation parameter; determining the trim-tilt angle of the propulsion unit; prior to increasing the trim-tilt angle in response to the request, determining if the propulsion unit is in a trim limit condition; increasing the trim-tilt angle of the propulsion unit in response to the request when the propulsion unit is determined not to be in the trim limit condition; and one of maintaining the trim-tilt angle of the propulsion unit and stopping increase of the trim-tilt angle of the propulsion unit when the propulsion unit is determined to be in the trim limit condition. A method for controlling the trim-tilt angle in view of an over-trim condition of the propulsion unit is also disclosed.

A method for controlling a trim-tilt angle of a propulsion unit of a marine outboard motor. The method includes: receiving a request to increase the trim-tilt angle of the propulsion unit; determining a motor operation parameter; determining the trim-tilt angle of the propulsion unit; prior to increasing the trim-tilt angle in response to the request, determining if the propulsion unit is in a trim limit condition; increasing the trim-tilt angle of the propulsion unit in response to the request when the propulsion unit is determined not to be in the trim limit condition; and one of maintaining the trim-tilt angle of the propulsion unit and stopping increase of the trim-tilt angle of the propulsion unit when the propulsion unit is determined to be in the trim limit condition. A method for controlling the trim-tilt angle in view of an over-trim condition of the propulsion unit is also disclosed.

A trolling motor assembly may be pivotable between a stowed position and a deployed position. The trolling motor assembly may include a trolling motor subassembly comprising a shaft and a motor coupled thereto. The subassembly may be pivotable about a base via a linkage. The linkage may include a first arm having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the first arm is coupled with the base, and the second end of the first arm is coupled with the shaft. A first biasing element may be coupled with the linkage so that the biasing element is configured to apply a first force to the linkage that biases the linkage in a raising direction from the stowed position in order to assist a user in deploying the trolling motor into the water.

A trolling motor assembly may be pivotable between a stowed position and a deployed position. The trolling motor assembly may include a trolling motor subassembly comprising a shaft and a motor coupled thereto. The subassembly may be pivotable about a base via a linkage. The linkage may include a first arm having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the first arm is coupled with the base, and the second end of the first arm is coupled with the shaft. A first biasing element may be coupled with the linkage so that the biasing element is configured to apply a first force to the linkage that biases the linkage in a raising direction from the stowed position in order to assist a user in deploying the trolling motor into the water.