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.

An outboard motor includes: a driveshaft housing configured to accommodate a driveshaft; and a gear case bulging laterally below the driveshaft housing and configured to accommodate a gear device, wherein an inside of the driveshaft housing communicates with an inside of the gear case, an introduction port for introducing lubricating oil into the gear case is opened on the driveshaft housing, and a confirmation port for causing the lubricating oil introduced into the gear case to flow out is opened on a front end side of the gear case.

An outboard motor includes: a driveshaft housing configured to accommodate a driveshaft; and a gear case bulging laterally below the driveshaft housing and configured to accommodate a gear device, wherein an inside of the driveshaft housing communicates with an inside of the gear case, an introduction port for introducing lubricating oil into the gear case is opened on the driveshaft housing, and a confirmation port for causing the lubricating oil introduced into the gear case to flow out is opened on a front end side of the gear case.

The present disclosure relates to a vessel propelling mechanism. In one aspect, a vessel propelling system includes a motor and a waterjet system. The waterjet system is coupled to the motor and includes a stator with a plurality of blades. A first blade of the plurality of blades has a shape that is different than remaining blades of the plurality of blades, the shape of the first blade allowing a driving mechanism of the motor to be coupled to a shaft within the waterjet system.

The present disclosure relates to a vessel propelling mechanism. In one aspect, a vessel propelling system includes a motor and a waterjet system. The waterjet system is coupled to the motor and includes a stator with a plurality of blades. A first blade of the plurality of blades has a shape that is different than remaining blades of the plurality of blades, the shape of the first blade allowing a driving mechanism of the motor to be coupled to a shaft within the waterjet system.

A ship propulsion system provides a first power transmission device that transmits power from an internal combustion engine to a propeller, a second power transmission device that transmits power from an electric motor to a propeller and that is mounted to the hull so as to be able to turn up and down independently from the first power transmission device, an actuator for causing the second power transmission device to turn up and down, and a control device. The control device is configured so as to be able to select a first drive mode in which the internal combustion engine is driven and the electric motor is not driven, and a second drive mode in which the internal combustion engine is not driven and the electric motor is driven. When the first drive mode is selected, the actuator is operated so that the second power transmission device turns up.

A ship propulsion system provides a first power transmission device that transmits power from an internal combustion engine to a propeller, a second power transmission device that transmits power from an electric motor to a propeller and that is mounted to the hull so as to be able to turn up and down independently from the first power transmission device, an actuator for causing the second power transmission device to turn up and down, and a control device. The control device is configured so as to be able to select a first drive mode in which the internal combustion engine is driven and the electric motor is not driven, and a second drive mode in which the internal combustion engine is not driven and the electric motor is driven. When the first drive mode is selected, the actuator is operated so that the second power transmission device turns up.

A shift device for an outboard motor includes a forward gear and a reverse gear; a clutch gear; a shift actuator configured to move between a neutral reference position where the clutch gear is disengaged from the forward gear and the reverse gear and an engagement reference position where the clutch gear is engaged with the forward gear or the reverse gear; and a control device configured to control a movement of the shift actuator. The control device is configured to set an intermediate target position, and to set a speed at which the shift actuator moves from the intermediate target position to the engagement reference position slower than a speed at which the shift actuator moves from the neutral reference position to the intermediate target position.

A shift device for an outboard motor includes a forward gear and a reverse gear; a clutch gear; a shift actuator configured to move between a neutral reference position where the clutch gear is disengaged from the forward gear and the reverse gear and an engagement reference position where the clutch gear is engaged with the forward gear or the reverse gear; and a control device configured to control a movement of the shift actuator. The control device is configured to set an intermediate target position, and to set a speed at which the shift actuator moves from the intermediate target position to the engagement reference position slower than a speed at which the shift actuator moves from the neutral reference position to the intermediate target position.