Described herein is an unmanned water vehicle comprising two or more hulls, a retractable sensor apparatus, a wireless communications device, a steerable drive apparatus, a mobility and control module providing operation of the unmanned water vehicle, and a power system comprising: one or more solar panels and an energy storage device, wherein the unmanned water vehicle is capable of continuous operation for a period of at least 3 months.

Described herein is an unmanned water vehicle comprising two or more hulls, a retractable sensor apparatus, a wireless communications device, a steerable drive apparatus, a mobility and control module providing operation of the unmanned water vehicle, and a power system comprising: one or more solar panels and an energy storage device, wherein the unmanned water vehicle is capable of continuous operation for a period of at least 3 months.

A personal watercraft, driving control system, and method for controlling the watercraft. The watercraft includes a jet powered propulsion system; a steering system including a handle; and the driving control system including an electrically actuated device coupled to the steering system for applying torque to the steering system; at least one sensor positioned adjacent the steering system; and a controller. The controller is configured to: determine whether user torque is being applied to the steering system; and responsive to determining that the user torque is not being applied: determine a steering angle; determine a target angle for returning the steering system to a center position; compare the steering angle to the target angle; determine a centering torque; and operate the electrically actuated device to apply the centering torque to the steering, with the centering torque being applied only by the electrically actuated device.

A personal watercraft, driving control system, and method for controlling the watercraft. The watercraft includes a jet powered propulsion system; a steering system including a handle; and the driving control system including an electrically actuated device coupled to the steering system for applying torque to the steering system; at least one sensor positioned adjacent the steering system; and a controller. The controller is configured to: determine whether user torque is being applied to the steering system; and responsive to determining that the user torque is not being applied: determine a steering angle; determine a target angle for returning the steering system to a center position; compare the steering angle to the target angle; determine a centering torque; and operate the electrically actuated device to apply the centering torque to the steering, with the centering torque being applied only by the electrically actuated device.

A controller receives a signal indicating an operating amount and an operating direction of a steering member. When the operating amount of the steering member is greater than or equal to a steering threshold, the controller causes right and left propulsion devices to generate thrusts oriented in opposite directions in a back-and-forth direction such that a vessel body is turned in a corresponding direction to the operating direction of the steering member.

A controller receives a signal indicating an operating amount and an operating direction of a steering member. When the operating amount of the steering member is greater than or equal to a steering threshold, the controller causes right and left propulsion devices to generate thrusts oriented in opposite directions in a back-and-forth direction such that a vessel body is turned in a corresponding direction to the operating direction of the steering member.

A foot pedal device for controlling an electric steer trolling motor and navigating a marine vessel. The foot pedal allows proportional control of the vessel such that the operator's foot movement on the foot pedal is proportional to an action by the trolling motor. The foot pedal includes a platform that pivots upon a base, an angular position monitor, and a controller; the controller is communicatively coupled to the angular position monitor and is configured to receive an angular measurement from the magnetic angle sensor and generate at least one control signal for a trolling motor of a marine vessel at least partially based on the angular measurement from the sensor.

A boat maneuvering support device supports maneuvering of a boat including a first propulsion device having a variable turning angle, a second propulsion device for generating a propulsive force for moving the boat in a left-right direction, and a steering mechanism for changing a turning angle of the first propulsion device and an output of the second propulsion device. The boat maneuvering support device includes a control unit which controls the turning angle of the first propulsion device and/or the output of the second propulsion device, a detection unit which detects a rotational speed of a propeller of the first propulsion device, and a calculation unit which obtains a rotational power of the boat based on the turning angle designated by the operation of the steering mechanism and the rotational speed. The control unit controls the output of the second propulsion device based on the rotational power.

The invention is a jet propulsor using gas or liquid of the environment as an operating medium (OM). The propulsor comprises eight nozzles arranged centrally symmetrically and a channel system (CS). The CS comprises eight active channels (AC) with pressure units therein to control a flow head of the OM, four intermediate channels (IC) and a central channel (CC). Each of the AC is connected by one end to one of the nozzles. All AC are pairwise connected to each other by other ends, forming four connecting nodes of the AC (ACCN). Connected to each of the ACCN by one end is one of the IC pairwise interconnected by other ends and forming two connecting nodes of the IC (ICCN). The CC is connected to the ICCN. The technical result is the reduction of unproductive energy loss in the flows of the OM in the CS and increasing its efficacy.

A pontoon boat including a thruster system is disclosed.