An improvement for inboard motor boats has a rigid exhaust conduit, a miniature rudder, and a rudder control system. The rigid conduit is provided for conduction of combustion gases exhaust outside the hull and has an aft facing outlet. The miniature rudder is pivotably mounted on the rigid conduit relative the aft facing outlet whereby combustion gases exhaust past the rudder. The rudder control system has a user interface inside the boat and has a control mechanism pivoting the rudder in response to inputs to the user interface.

An improvement for inboard motor boats has a rigid exhaust conduit, a miniature rudder, and a rudder control system. The rigid conduit is provided for conduction of combustion gases exhaust outside the hull and has an aft facing outlet. The miniature rudder is pivotably mounted on the rigid conduit relative the aft facing outlet whereby combustion gases exhaust past the rudder. The rudder control system has a user interface inside the boat and has a control mechanism pivoting the rudder in response to inputs to the user interface.

A pontoon boat including a thruster system is disclosed.

A marine vessel maneuvering system includes a jet propulsion device to jet a water current out from a jetting port and obtain a propulsive force from a recoil of the jetted water current, a handle to change a direction of the jetting port, a reverse bucket to open and close the jetting port, and a controller configured or programmed to change the direction of the jetting port in accordance with a rotation angle of the handle. In a state in which the reverse bucket covers at least a portion of the jetting port and when the rotation angle of the handle exceeds a first threshold, the controller is configured or programmed to execute a turning assist control to reduce an amount by which the reverse bucket covers the jetting port.

Implementations of a boat propulsion and guidance system are provided. In some implementations, the boat propulsion and guidance system comprises one or more conduits and propulsion devices. In some implementations, the boat propulsion and guidance system may further comprise one or more valve devices. In some implementations, the boat propulsion and guidance system may further comprise a controller. In some implementations, a method of using the boat propulsion and guidance system comprises installing the boat propulsion and guidance system to a boat and operating the boat propulsion and guidance system to move (e.g., steer, maneuver, and/or otherwise propel) the boat in one or more directions. In some implementations, the method may further comprise operating the boat propulsion and guidance system to dynamically anchor the boat to remain in a desired position in the water.

A driving unit for an electric tunnel thruster. Such driving unit includes an electric motor, a controller and a support for mounting the electric motor and its controller on a tunnel of the tunnel thruster. The electric motor and the controller have separate housings and are mounted separately from each other to the electric motor support that is also a heat conductive radiator element for cooling the controller, and at least one heat radiating surface of the controller is contacted to at least one heat-absorbing surface of the electric motor support.

A driving unit for an electric tunnel thruster. Such driving unit includes an electric motor, a controller and a support for mounting the electric motor and its controller on a tunnel of the tunnel thruster. The electric motor and the controller have separate housings and are mounted separately from each other to the electric motor support that is also a heat conductive radiator element for cooling the controller, and at least one heat radiating surface of the controller is contacted to at least one heat-absorbing surface of the electric motor support.

One embodiment of the invention comprises a method for controlling a marine vessel having a first steerable propulsor, a corresponding first reversing device, a second steerable propulsor and a corresponding second reversing device. The method comprises receiving a first vessel control signal corresponding to a rotational movement and no translational movement command, generating at least a first actuator control signal and a second actuator control signal in response to the first vessel control signal, coupling the first actuator control signal to and controlling the first steerable propulsor and the second steerable propulsor, and coupling the second actuator control signal to and controlling the first reversing device and to the second reversing device. The method creates rotational forces on the marine vessel with substantially no translational forces on the marine vessel.

One embodiment of the invention comprises a method for controlling a marine vessel having a first steerable propulsor, a corresponding first reversing device, a second steerable propulsor and a corresponding second reversing device. The method comprises receiving a first vessel control signal corresponding to a rotational movement and no translational movement command, generating at least a first actuator control signal and a second actuator control signal in response to the first vessel control signal, coupling the first actuator control signal to and controlling the first steerable propulsor and the second steerable propulsor, and coupling the second actuator control signal to and controlling the first reversing device and to the second reversing device. The method creates rotational forces on the marine vessel with substantially no translational forces on the marine vessel.

A thruster system for improved steering and maneuverability of a marine vessel when operating at relatively low, or wakeless speeds, such as in the vicinity of docks, swimmers or other obstacles, or when trailering, beaching or mooring. The thruster system has a modularized design adapted to independently control separate motor/propeller units located at various positions on the vessel's hull. Each propeller of the modular thruster motor system has its own relatively small, electric motor and mounting bracket, permitting each motor to be separately mounted to a location on the hull of the marine vessel apart from other thruster motors. The thruster system is further enhanced by an electrical control system for controlling each modular thruster motor system of the thruster system. In some embodiments, a charging system is provided that permits each electrical control system to be separately charged from the marine vessel's main battery.