A method for controlling a marine vessel having first and second steering nozzles and first and second trim deflectors comprises generating at least a first set of actuator control signals and a second set of actuator control signals. The first set of actuator control signals is coupled to and controls the first and second steering nozzles, and the second set of actuator control signals is coupled to and controls the first and second trim deflectors. The acts of generating and coupling the first set of actuator control signals and the second set of actuator control signals result in inducing any of a net yawing force, a net rolling force, and a net trimming force to the marine vessel without inducing any other substantial forces to the marine vessel by controlling the first and second steering nozzles and the first and second trim deflectors. Also disclosed is a system for controlling a marine vessel.

A method for controlling a marine vessel having first and second steering nozzles and first and second trim deflectors comprises generating at least a first set of actuator control signals and a second set of actuator control signals. The first set of actuator control signals is coupled to and controls the first and second steering nozzles, and the second set of actuator control signals is coupled to and controls the first and second trim deflectors. The acts of generating and coupling the first set of actuator control signals and the second set of actuator control signals result in inducing any of a net yawing force, a net rolling force, and a net trimming force to the marine vessel without inducing any other substantial forces to the marine vessel by controlling the first and second steering nozzles and the first and second trim deflectors. Also disclosed is a system for controlling a marine vessel.

A marine propulsion device has a powerhead, a driveshaft powered by the powerhead, a lower unit, and a propeller shaft supported in the lower unit and in torque transmitting relationship with the driveshaft. The marine propulsion device also has a steering column through which the driveshaft extends and to which the lower unit is coupled. The steering column is configured to rotate the lower unit with respect to the powerhead. There is a steering housing through which the steering column extends, the steering housing being stationary with respect to the powerhead. A flexible conduit, for example a wiring harness, extends through an aperture in the steering housing and through an aperture in the steering column. The flexible conduit has slack between the steering housing and the steering column.

A marine propulsion device has a powerhead, a driveshaft powered by the powerhead, a lower unit, and a propeller shaft supported in the lower unit and in torque transmitting relationship with the driveshaft. The marine propulsion device also has a steering column through which the driveshaft extends and to which the lower unit is coupled. The steering column is configured to rotate the lower unit with respect to the powerhead. There is a steering housing through which the steering column extends, the steering housing being stationary with respect to the powerhead. A flexible conduit, for example a wiring harness, extends through an aperture in the steering housing and through an aperture in the steering column. The flexible conduit has slack between the steering housing and the steering column.

A steering system for a marine vessel comprises a helm, a control head, and a joystick. The helm and control head may respectively provide user inputted steering commands and user inputted shift and throttle commands on a first CAN network. The joystick and the control head may respectively provide user inputted steering commands and user inputted shift and throttle commands on a second CAN network. The helm may provide user inputted steering commands on the first CAN network. The control head may provide user inputted shift and throttle commands on the second CAN network. The joystick may provide user inputted steering commands and user inputted shift and throttle commands on either the first CAN network or the second CAN network.

A steering system for a marine vessel comprises a helm, a control head, and a joystick. The helm and control head may respectively provide user inputted steering commands and user inputted shift and throttle commands on a first CAN network. The joystick and the control head may respectively provide user inputted steering commands and user inputted shift and throttle commands on a second CAN network. The helm may provide user inputted steering commands on the first CAN network. The control head may provide user inputted shift and throttle commands on the second CAN network. The joystick may provide user inputted steering commands and user inputted shift and throttle commands on either the first CAN network or the second CAN network.

A steering system for a vessel includes an electric actuator that generates power to rotate a steering wheel, a transmitting mechanism that transmits a rotation of the electric actuator to the steering wheel, and a power supply controller that supplies electric power to the electric actuator according to an input signal that is not based on a rotation of the steering wheel.

A steering system for a vessel includes an electric actuator that generates power to rotate a steering wheel, a transmitting mechanism that transmits a rotation of the electric actuator to the steering wheel, and a power supply controller that supplies electric power to the electric actuator according to an input signal that is not based on a rotation of the steering wheel.

Techniques are disclosed to enable a system for controlling the propulsion and steering of a boat by a boat operator. The boat has at least one propulsion and steering motor assembly connected to the boat with a propeller, and a propulsion motor. It also has left and right pivoting pedals to provide a signal that controls the angle of the propeller so that if the left pedal is pivoted in a first pivot direction by a first percentage and the right pedal is pivoted in a second pivot direction by a second percentage, the boat executes a turn, moves forward, or moves in reverse.

Techniques are disclosed to enable a system for controlling the propulsion and steering of a boat by a boat operator. The boat has at least one propulsion and steering motor assembly connected to the boat with a propeller, and a propulsion motor. It also has left and right pivoting pedals to provide a signal that controls the angle of the propeller so that if the left pedal is pivoted in a first pivot direction by a first percentage and the right pedal is pivoted in a second pivot direction by a second percentage, the boat executes a turn, moves forward, or moves in reverse.