A steering system for marine propulsion devices having a steering device and steering actuators configured to change steering angles of the marine propulsion devices. A control system is operatively connected to the steering actuators and operatively connected to the steering device to receive steering requests from the steering device. The control system is configured to receive a request to activate the steering for a first device among the marine propulsion devices. The control system is further configured to change the steering angle of the first device according to a steering request when the steering request is received after receiving the request to activate the steering for the first device and to leave the steering angle for the first device unchanged when the steering request is received before receiving the request to activate the steering for the first device.

A steering system for marine propulsion devices having a steering device and steering actuators configured to change steering angles of the marine propulsion devices. A control system is operatively connected to the steering actuators and operatively connected to the steering device to receive steering requests from the steering device. The control system is configured to receive a request to activate the steering for a first device among the marine propulsion devices. The control system is further configured to change the steering angle of the first device according to a steering request when the steering request is received after receiving the request to activate the steering for the first device and to leave the steering angle for the first device unchanged when the steering request is received before receiving the request to activate the steering for the first device.

A marine vessel includes a hull and a steering system. The steering system includes at least one nautical equipment, a steering mechanism to adjust a traveling direction of the hull, and an input terminal to receive an input from a user. The steering mechanism includes a steering wheel with an operation switch to operate the at least one nautical equipment. The input terminal is operable to allow the user to associate the at least one nautical equipment with the operation switch.

A marine vessel includes a hull and a steering system. The steering system includes at least one nautical equipment, a steering mechanism to adjust a traveling direction of the hull, and an input terminal to receive an input from a user. The steering mechanism includes a steering wheel with an operation switch to operate the at least one nautical equipment. The input terminal is operable to allow the user to associate the at least one nautical equipment with the operation switch.

A device for steering a trolling motor of a watercraft is provided. The device comprises a housing and a joystick attached to the housing, pivotably supported for movement from a neutral position in directions radial to an axis of the joystick. The movement from the neutral position generates a steering command for the trolling motor. The device has a transmitter within the housing and a processor communicatively coupled to the transmitter and the joystick. The device may further include a memory including a computer program code. The computer program code is configured when executed by the processor to receive movement data from the joystick, generate a steering command from the movement data, and transmit the steering command to the trolling motor. The steering command causes the trolling motor to rotate to aim in the steer direction to cause the watercraft to travel based on the joystick movement.

A device for steering a trolling motor of a watercraft is provided. The device comprises a housing and a joystick attached to the housing, pivotably supported for movement from a neutral position in directions radial to an axis of the joystick. The movement from the neutral position generates a steering command for the trolling motor. The device has a transmitter within the housing and a processor communicatively coupled to the transmitter and the joystick. The device may further include a memory including a computer program code. The computer program code is configured when executed by the processor to receive movement data from the joystick, generate a steering command from the movement data, and transmit the steering command to the trolling motor. The steering command causes the trolling motor to rotate to aim in the steer direction to cause the watercraft to travel based on the joystick movement.

A system for controlling a marine vessel comprises an input device for inputting an operator command, a sensor which senses and signals an engine function variable or a vessel dynamic variable, and a first structural element and a second structural element. The first structural element and the second structural element each control speed or direction of motion of the marine vessel, and the first structural element and the second structural element each affect the marine vessel dynamic variable. There is a controller which receives the operator command and the engine function variable or the vessel dynamic variable. The controller moves the first structural element and the second structural element based on the engine function variable or the vessel dynamic variable, after receiving the single operator command.

A system for controlling a marine vessel comprises an input device for inputting an operator command, a sensor which senses and signals an engine function variable or a vessel dynamic variable, and a first structural element and a second structural element. The first structural element and the second structural element each control speed or direction of motion of the marine vessel, and the first structural element and the second structural element each affect the marine vessel dynamic variable. There is a controller which receives the operator command and the engine function variable or the vessel dynamic variable. The controller moves the first structural element and the second structural element based on the engine function variable or the vessel dynamic variable, after receiving the single operator command.

A ship handling device may be provided with which a ship moves and turns in a target orientation toward target coordinates without monitoring the behavior of the ship against disturbance or the characteristics of the ship. The ship handling device moves the ship toward the target coordinates and in the target orientation from a GPS device and a signal from an orientation sensor, wherein the target coordinates and the target orientation are calculated from operation of a joystick lever, and a thrust is generated by a propulsion device so as to move the ship to the target coordinates and the target orientation after a signal finalizing the target coordinates and the target orientation has been acquired.

A ship handling device may be provided with which a ship moves and turns in a target orientation toward target coordinates without monitoring the behavior of the ship against disturbance or the characteristics of the ship. The ship handling device moves the ship toward the target coordinates and in the target orientation from a GPS device and a signal from an orientation sensor, wherein the target coordinates and the target orientation are calculated from operation of a joystick lever, and a thrust is generated by a propulsion device so as to move the ship to the target coordinates and the target orientation after a signal finalizing the target coordinates and the target orientation has been acquired.