For a vessel steering apparatus for performing a movement control to move a vessel to a target position on the basis of a signal of a GPS apparatus, a movement control stop area, a buffer area adjacent to the movement control stop area, and a movement-controlling area adjacent to the buffer area are set on the basis of the distance from the target position, wherein in the movement control stop area, thrust generation by a propulsion apparatus is stopped; in the movement-controlling area, thrust is generated by the propulsion apparatus; and in the buffer area, thrust is generated by the propulsion apparatus of the vessel for movement control only in the case where the vessel moves from the movement-controlling area to the buffer area, then stays in the buffer area, and moves in a direction away from the target position.

For a vessel steering apparatus for performing a movement control to move a vessel to a target position on the basis of a signal of a GPS apparatus, a movement control stop area, a buffer area adjacent to the movement control stop area, and a movement-controlling area adjacent to the buffer area are set on the basis of the distance from the target position, wherein in the movement control stop area, thrust generation by a propulsion apparatus is stopped; in the movement-controlling area, thrust is generated by the propulsion apparatus; and in the buffer area, thrust is generated by the propulsion apparatus of the vessel for movement control only in the case where the vessel moves from the movement-controlling area to the buffer area, then stays in the buffer area, and moves in a direction away from the target position.

In an embodiment, a helm device comprises a steering shaft extending in a first direction, a housing, a tilt base, a pair of tilt mechanisms which supports the housing to make the housing rotatable with respect to the tilt base about a tilt axis, and a lock mechanism which fixes an angle of the steering shaft. Each of the pair of tilt mechanisms comprises a shaft member projecting from a side portion of the housing, a bracket provided on the tilt base and comprising a hole portion into which the shaft member is inserted rotatably, and a bushing disposed between the shaft member and the hole portion.

A stand-alone modular removable rudder system for watercraft having a rudder comprising a steering handle coupled to a quick release mechanism adapted to releasably secure said steering handle to said watercraft in proximity to the operator, said system further comprising, a rudder mount adapted to be coupled to the rear of the watercraft by a quick release mechanism adapted to releasably secure said rudder mount to said watercraft, said rudder being carried by a rudder support pivotal about said rudder mount and cables operatively connecting said steering handle to said rudder mount whereby the steering handle can be operated to steer the rudder.

An amphibious pumping vehicle has a floatable vehicle body, a ground engaging propulsion structure, a fluid pump, a plurality of fluid nozzles comprising a first fluid nozzle connected by a fluid conduit to the fluid pump and at least one second fluid nozzle connected to the fluid conduit, a valve structure in the fluid conduit, the plurality of fluid nozzles and the valve structure co-operating to provide directional control and motive power for the vehicle when floating, and a power source configured to provide power to both the ground engaging propulsion structure and the fluid pump.

An amphibious pumping vehicle has a floatable vehicle body, a ground engaging propulsion structure, a fluid pump, a plurality of fluid nozzles comprising a first fluid nozzle connected by a fluid conduit to the fluid pump and at least one second fluid nozzle connected to the fluid conduit, a valve structure in the fluid conduit, the plurality of fluid nozzles and the valve structure co-operating to provide directional control and motive power for the vehicle when floating, and a power source configured to provide power to both the ground engaging propulsion structure and the fluid pump.

A method for controlling steering alignment in a marine vessel includes detecting a rotational position of a steering device and detecting a rotational addition of a steerable component, wherein the steerable component is couplable to a marine vessel and steerable to a plurality of positions so as to vary the direction of movement of the marine vessel. The rotational position of the steering device and the rotational position of the steerable component are then compared. The operation between the steering device and the steerable component is then automatically adjusted while the steering device is moved by a user until alignment between the steering device and the steerable component is reached.

A method for controlling steering alignment in a marine vessel includes detecting a rotational position of a steering device and detecting a rotational addition of a steerable component, wherein the steerable component is couplable to a marine vessel and steerable to a plurality of positions so as to vary the direction of movement of the marine vessel. The rotational position of the steering device and the rotational position of the steerable component are then compared. The operation between the steering device and the steerable component is then automatically adjusted while the steering device is moved by a user until alignment between the steering device and the steerable component is reached.

A watercraft drag apparatus may extend into the water from either the port or the starboard side of a watercraft or a hull of the watercraft. The drag apparatus may cause an increase in drag on one side of the watercraft. The increase in drag may slow the watercraft to a slower speed than the watercraft can typically maintain under normal power. The increase in drag may also cause the watercraft to change heading, requiring a watercraft pilot to repeatedly correct the heading to maintain an intended course. The watercraft drag apparatus may be useful for fishing, such as when trolling.

The purpose is providing a ship handling device easily determining a predetermined correction coefficient regardless of positions of a side thruster and a forward/backward propeller and the center of gravity of a ship and the shape of the ship. The device is provided with a joystick lever for indicating a propulsion direction and the magnitude of thrust by tilting direction and angle, wherein: a lateral movement thrust is generated by the side thruster in accordance with the joystick lever; a first correction thrust is generated by the forward/backward propeller in accordance with the joystick lever so as to cancel out a rotation moment; and a first correction coefficient for calculating a first correction thrust with respect to the lateral movement thrust is determined.