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 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.

The invention provides a device which can reduce the drag and assist the steering of the ship, mainly to set up a 3-way pipe in the bow where is below the water level. The 3-way pipe leads to three openings at the stem, the port side and the starboard side respectively. At least one control valve (or deflector) can be provided in the 3-way piping system. The valve (or deflector) can be controlled from the bridge, with a diversion device. When the ship sails forward, water flows into the 3-way pipe from the forward pipe, distributed to both side pipes and then outflow, so that it can reduce the pressure drag to the stem, improve the ship's speed and save bunker. When the valve (or deflector) is set as neutral, the water will be distributed evenly to both side pipes, which will not affect the ship's heading. When the valve (or deflector) deflects more water to either side's pipe, the ship will turn to the opposite side.

Disclosed is a tool for watercraft fin insertion and removal. The tool includes: a first external elongated layer, a second external elongated layer, aligned with, and positioned at a substantially parallel plane to the plane of, the first external layer. An internal layer is positioned between, and stretches across a portion of the area of, the external layers. Upon positioning the tool such that the inner surfaces of the external layers are adjacent to the outer surfaces of the watercraft fin, a curved fin engagement elements on the edge of the internal layer, complements at least a portion of the leading edge or the trailing edge of the watercraft fin.

A marine vessel maneuvering system includes a controller configured or programmed to control a steering speed to be a first steering speed when an operator is moved from a neutral position, and to control the steering speed to be a second steering speed that is lower than the first steering speed when the operator is returned to the neutral position.

A marine vessel maneuvering system includes a controller configured or programmed to control a steering speed to be a first steering speed when an operator is moved from a neutral position, and to control the steering speed to be a second steering speed that is lower than the first steering speed when the operator is returned to the neutral position.

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 iu 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 iu 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 steering control system for a watercraft includes a device locking a steering tiller, which can be activated or deactivated for maintaining the tiller in, or moving it from, a predetermined angular position. The locking device includes a hydraulic cylinder having a rod fastened to the transom of the watercraft and a cylindrical body movable along the rod and connected to a steering arm of the motor or of the rudder member. A closed circuit, opened or closed by a valve, flows oil between the two chambers of the hydraulic cylinder and the locking device can be activated or deactivated by an actuator that opens or closes the valve. An interposition element between the steering tiller and a watercraft direction changing member is pivotably articulated to the tiller, and a member transforms the pivoting movement of the tiller relative to the interposition element into commands actuating the valve.