A hybrid electrical and mechanical ship propulsion and electric power system, includes a first mechanical power plant configured to drive a first propeller via a first shaft. There is a second electrical power plant configured to drive a second propeller via a second shaft. The second electrical power plant includes HTS generators and a high temperature superconductor (HTS) motor interconnected to the second shaft. There is a first electrical network to which the HTS motor is connected in order to energize the HTS motor to drive the second propeller via the second shaft.

A hybrid electrical and mechanical ship propulsion and electric power system, includes a first mechanical power plant configured to drive a first propeller via a first shaft. There is a second electrical power plant configured to drive a second propeller via a second shaft. The second electrical power plant includes HTS generators and a high temperature superconductor (HTS) motor interconnected to the second shaft. There is a first electrical network to which the HTS motor is connected in order to energize the HTS motor to drive the second propeller via the second shaft.

A method of planing a marine vessel propelled by an electric propulsion system operably connected to a rotatable propeller system including that a command input requesting an increase in throttle is received. The method also includes that it is determined whether the marine vessel is on plane and whether there is sufficient power and energy available in the electric propulsion system to reach planing speed when the marine vessel is not on plane. The method further includes that power output from the electric propulsion system is increased for a selected period of time such that the electric propulsion system is allowed to overshoot continuous power limits of one or more components of the electric propulsion system for the selected amount of time. The one or more components of the electric propulsion system including at least one of an electric motor, an energy storage device, and an electric controller.

A method of planing a marine vessel propelled by an electric propulsion system operably connected to a rotatable propeller system including that a command input requesting an increase in throttle is received. The method also includes that it is determined whether the marine vessel is on plane and whether there is sufficient power and energy available in the electric propulsion system to reach planing speed when the marine vessel is not on plane. The method further includes that power output from the electric propulsion system is increased for a selected period of time such that the electric propulsion system is allowed to overshoot continuous power limits of one or more components of the electric propulsion system for the selected amount of time. The one or more components of the electric propulsion system including at least one of an electric motor, an energy storage device, and an electric controller.

An outboard engine for propelling a boat includes a propulsion unit with an electric motor, a propeller driven by means of the electric motor, a control unit for controlling the power of the electric motor, and a water detection means. The water detection means is adapted to detect whether the propeller is submersed in water. The power of the electric motor can be influenced via the control unit based on the detection.

A boat speed control device for a boat including a manual shifter and an outboard motor, includes an actuator and a controller. The outboard motor is operably connected to the manual shifter. The manual shifter includes a shift lever shiftable between a sailing position and a neutral position. The actuator is connected to the shift lever. The controller is configured or programmed to control the actuator to shift the shift lever to the sailing position and the neutral position.

A method for positioning a marine vessel includes receiving a measured actual position of the vessel and determining a first error between the actual position of the vessel and a desired target position of the vessel. In response to the first error being in a fore/aft direction of the vessel, the method includes commanding a first subset of marine propulsion devices in a plurality of marine propulsion devices to produce thrust to minimize the first error in the fore/aft direction, as appropriate, while a remainder of the marine propulsion devices in the plurality do not produce thrust. The method thereafter includes commanding the first subset of marine propulsion devices to cease producing thrust. The method may also include selecting whether to actuate all marine propulsion devices in the plurality of marine propulsion devices or a first subset thereof based on a magnitude and a direction of the first error.

A method for positioning a marine vessel includes receiving a measured actual position of the vessel and determining a first error between the actual position of the vessel and a desired target position of the vessel. In response to the first error being in a fore/aft direction of the vessel, the method includes commanding a first subset of marine propulsion devices in a plurality of marine propulsion devices to produce thrust to minimize the first error in the fore/aft direction, as appropriate, while a remainder of the marine propulsion devices in the plurality do not produce thrust. The method thereafter includes commanding the first subset of marine propulsion devices to cease producing thrust. The method may also include selecting whether to actuate all marine propulsion devices in the plurality of marine propulsion devices or a first subset thereof based on a magnitude and a direction of the first error.

A motorized fin booster system for surfboard or paddleboard or recreational small craft, consisting of at least one detachable motorized fin and at least one external, contour conforming and waterproof power supply are disclosed. The disclosed system allows for the addition and removal of electrically powered boost to nearly any board without permanent alteration of the board. The system integrates with widely used surfboard components; such as surf fins, leashes, ankle cuffs, and traction pads.

A motorized fin booster system for surfboard or paddleboard or recreational small craft, consisting of at least one detachable motorized fin and at least one external, contour conforming and waterproof power supply are disclosed. The disclosed system allows for the addition and removal of electrically powered boost to nearly any board without permanent alteration of the board. The system integrates with widely used surfboard components; such as surf fins, leashes, ankle cuffs, and traction pads.