A system for controlling a marine vessel having first and second steering nozzles and corresponding first and second reversing buckets, comprises a processor configured to receive a first vessel control signal including at least a component corresponding to a translational thrust command in a port direction, and that is configured to provide a set of actuator control signals coupled to and control the first and second reversing buckets. The processor is configured to provide the set of actuator control signals so as to maintain the first reversing bucket substantially in a first discrete position and the second reversing bucket substantially in a second discrete position as long as the first vessel control signal includes a component corresponding to a translational thrust command in the port direction.

A cover device for at least partially closing an underwater opening in a hull of a watercraft includes a variable-volume hollow-chamber lip assembly including at least two hollow-chamber lips and one buoyancy body. The at least one hollow-chamber lip is volume-variable by supplying a fluid to or removing a fluid from an interior thereof, and the at least one hollow-chamber lip assembly is shiftable between an expanded state and a contracted state by supplying or removing the fluid.

A motorized, steerable, electrically-operated personal watercraft that includes a hull with a bow, stern, top deck surface, underside surface, and a support and steering console. The deck is configured to allow a user to lie prone on the deck with the user's chest located on or proximate the console. There are left and right steering control devices located at the left and right of the console, respectively. The steering control devices are configured to be manipulated by the left and right hands of the user. Motive power and steering are both provided through an electrically-powered water jet, which may be but need not be located at the stern. The water jet is mounted to a fixture that is configured such that the outlet nozzle of the jet can be turned left and right, in order to steer the craft to the left and right. Jet nozzle steering is accomplished by manipulation of the left and right steering controls. User-operable kill switches also located at the left and right of the console must be operated in order to operate the jet.

A motorized, steerable, electrically-operated personal watercraft that includes a hull with a bow, stern, top deck surface, underside surface, and a support and steering console. The deck is configured to allow a user to lie prone on the deck with the user's chest located on or proximate the console. There are left and right steering control devices located at the left and right of the console, respectively. The steering control devices are configured to be manipulated by the left and right hands of the user. Motive power and steering are both provided through an electrically-powered water jet, which may be but need not be located at the stern. The water jet is mounted to a fixture that is configured such that the outlet nozzle of the jet can be turned left and right, in order to steer the craft to the left and right. Jet nozzle steering is accomplished by manipulation of the left and right steering controls. User-operable kill switches also located at the left and right of the console must be operated in order to operate the jet.

A marine propulsion system includes an engine-powered propulsion device coupled in torque-transmitting relationship with an engine. A non-engine-powered propulsion device is coupled to a source of electric or hydraulic power. A control module is provided in signal communication with the engine-powered propulsion device and the non-engine-powered propulsion device. A user-operated input device is in signal communication with the control module. The marine propulsion system operates in a non-engine-powered propulsion mode in response to the control module determining the following: the engine was previously running; a speed of the engine is below an engine-stopped speed threshold; the marine propulsion system is on; and a request for movement of the vessel has been input via the user-operated input device. While the marine propulsion system operates in the non-engine-powered propulsion mode, the control module controls the non-engine-powered propulsion device to generate thrust to maneuver the vessel according to the request for movement.

A marine propulsion system includes an engine-powered propulsion device coupled in torque-transmitting relationship with an engine. A non-engine-powered propulsion device is coupled to a source of electric or hydraulic power. A control module is provided in signal communication with the engine-powered propulsion device and the non-engine-powered propulsion device. A user-operated input device is in signal communication with the control module. The marine propulsion system operates in a non-engine-powered propulsion mode in response to the control module determining the following: the engine was previously running; a speed of the engine is below an engine-stopped speed threshold; the marine propulsion system is on; and a request for movement of the vessel has been input via the user-operated input device. While the marine propulsion system operates in the non-engine-powered propulsion mode, the control module controls the non-engine-powered propulsion device to generate thrust to maneuver the vessel according to the request for movement.

A watercraft has a deck; central, left and right pods connected to a bottom of the deck; and a helm assembly disposed on the deck. The central pod is laterally centered relative to the deck. The central pod has a central hull defining a central tunnel, a motor connected to and disposed at least in part in the central hull, and a jet propulsion system disposed at least in part in the tunnel and operatively connected to the motor. The left pod is disposed at a left of the central pod and is laterally spaced from the central pod. The left pod has a left hull that is narrower than the central hull. The right pod is disposed at a right of the central pod and is laterally spaced from the central pod. The right pod has a right hull that is narrower than the central hull.

A watercraft has a deck; central, left and right pods connected to a bottom of the deck; and a helm assembly disposed on the deck. The central pod is laterally centered relative to the deck. The central pod has a central hull defining a central tunnel, a motor connected to and disposed at least in part in the central hull, and a jet propulsion system disposed at least in part in the tunnel and operatively connected to the motor. The left pod is disposed at a left of the central pod and is laterally spaced from the central pod. The left pod has a left hull that is narrower than the central hull. The right pod is disposed at a right of the central pod and is laterally spaced from the central pod. The right pod has a right hull that is narrower than the central hull.

A system for controlling a marine vessel having first and second waterjets, corresponding first and second steering nozzles and corresponding first and second reversing buckets. The system comprises a speed control device for providing a first vessel control signal that corresponds to a speed to be provided to the marine vessel, a processor configured to receive the first vessel control signal and that is configured to provide at least one first actuator control signal coupled to the first and second waterjets, and at least one second actuator control signal coupled to the first and second steering nozzles and the first and second reversing buckets. The system any of improves upon turns provided by conventional waterjet propulsion systems, improves upon slowing down or stopping marine vessels as is done by conventional waterjet propulsion systems, and improves upon the controllability of the waterjet propulsed marine vessel at low vessel speeds.

A system for controlling a marine vessel having first and second waterjets, corresponding first and second steering nozzles and corresponding first and second reversing buckets. The system comprises a speed control device for providing a first vessel control signal that corresponds to a speed to be provided to the marine vessel, a processor configured to receive the first vessel control signal and that is configured to provide at least one first actuator control signal coupled to the first and second waterjets, and at least one second actuator control signal coupled to the first and second steering nozzles and the first and second reversing buckets. The system any of improves upon turns provided by conventional waterjet propulsion systems, improves upon slowing down or stopping marine vessels as is done by conventional waterjet propulsion systems, and improves upon the controllability of the waterjet propulsed marine vessel at low vessel speeds.