A device for controlling pitch, roll and/or steering of a boat, ship or vessel has a length direction and a height direction and includes at least two actuators, at least two actuating means, at least two crankshafts and an interceptor member. Each actuator is adapted to interact with the corresponding actuating means. The actuating means are adapted to interact with the interceptor member, such that the interceptor member is linearly displaceable between a retracted and an extracted position. Each actuating means is adapted to interact with the corresponding crankshaft, which thereby rotates. The crankshafts interact with the interceptor member such that rotations of the crankshafts consequently lead to a displacement of the interceptor member between the retracted and the extracted position. A boat, ship or vessel include the device.

Wakeboat ballast pump systems and methods are provided to monitor the operational condition and parameters of wakeboat ballast components. Systems and methods for sensing and measurement are provided to detect parameters associated with wakeboat ballast pumps and compartments, including systems and methods that can economically retrofit into existing wakeboat ballast systems. Systems and methods are also provided to enable automated action based on various operational conditions and parameters to improve the safety, automation, performance, convenience, and marketing advantage of wakeboat ballast pumps.

A wakeboat creates a wake, the performance level of the wake varying depending upon the mass of the wakeboat, the wakeboat including a hull; an engine supported by the hull; a controller supported by the hull; a processor coupled to the controller; a memory coupled to the processor; a sensor configured to measure at least one parameter of the wakeboat, the controller being coupled to the sensor and being configured to receive data from the sensor, the controller being configured to derive the present mass of the wakeboat from said sensor data, the controller being configured to determine the present wake performance level of the wakeboat based on the present mass of the wakeboat; and a tablet computer coupled to the controller, the controller being configured to use the tablet computer to indicate the present wake performance level of the wakeboat.

An adjustable surf wake system enhances a wake formed by a watercraft travelling through water. The system may include a flap for deflecting water traveling past the stern of the watercraft, and/or a positioner operably connected to the flap for positioning the flap relative to a longitudinal axis of the watercraft between a neutral position and an outward position. Positioning a port flap in its extended position enhances a starboard surf wake, and positioning the starboard flap in its extended position enhances a port surf wake. A wake modifying system for modifying a wake produced by a watercraft traveling through water may include a rudder pivotally mounted to the watercraft for steering the watercraft, a fin pivotally mounted to the watercraft substantially along a centerline of the watercraft and forward the rudder, wherein the fin pivots about an upright axis to modify the wake produced by the watercraft traveling through the water, an actuator mounted within the watercraft and operably coupled to the fin for pivoting the fin relative to the centerline, and a controller mounted on the watercraft allowing an operator to control the actuator and selectively pivot the fin to a desired angle θd relative to the centerline.

Wakeboat hull control systems and methods are provided to monitor the orientation of the wakeboat hull in the surrounding water, and to automatically control wakeboat ballast components to achieve or maintain desired hull orientations. Systems and methods are provided to measure, store, and recall hull orientation. Systems and methods are also provided to enable automated action to improve the safety, automation, performance, convenience, and marketing advantage of wakeboat ballast systems.

A control system for posture control tabs of a marine vessel assists operations of a steering control. The posture control tabs are mounted on a stern of a hull to move up or down to control a posture of the hull. Actuators actuate the respective posture control tabs. When a steering instruction is provided through the steering control, a processor determines the posture control tab to be actuated and controls the actuator corresponding to the posture control tab determined to be actuated so as to change the position of the determined posture control tab.

A boat includes at least three trim devices positioned aft of the boat's transom. To improve the boat's ability to get on place, each trim device is initially positioned to a deployed position. The speed of the boat is then determined as the boat gains speed. When the speed of the boat exceeds a first predetermined threshold, the first trim device is moved from the deployed position to a non-deployed position. When the speed of the boat exceeds a second predetermined threshold, the second trim device is moved from the deployed position to a non-deployed position. When the speed of the boat exceeds a third predetermined threshold, the third trim device is moved from the deployed position to a non-deployed position. At least one of the first, second, and third predetermined thresholds is different from the other two of the first, second, and third predetermined thresholds.

A hydraulic component for vehicles, such as for maritime applications, is a hydraulic cylinder-piston unit. The piston of the hydraulic component has a piston rod with a measurement section. A magnetic rod in the piston rod extends over the measurement section. The magnetic rod has a helically varied magnetic field direction. The hydraulic component includes a sensor device having a scanning region measuring the field direction. The sensor device is arranged such that, over the entire stroke path of the piston, at least a part of the magnetic rod is located in the scanning region. The sensor device has a sensor unit configured to transmit measurement results for the field direction to a processing unit, configured to process and output the measurement results. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a hydraulic adjustment system having at least one hydraulic component and a vehicle having at least one hydraulic adjustment system.

A method of automatically controlling trim position of a marine drive with a control system on a marine vessel includes receiving a user-selected command associated with wake surfing and then controlling a trim actuator to automatically position the marine drive in a tucked position, tucked position is between a vertical trim position and a minimum running trim position. Once a vessel condition of the marine vessel reaches a first threshold vessel condition the trim actuator is controlled to trim up the marine drive to a predetermined target trim position to generate wave behind the marine vessel. The first threshold vessel condition is at least one of a threshold vessel speed, a threshold engine speed, a threshold engine load, and a threshold vessel pitch.

A wakeboat has a hull, the hull forming a wake when moving forward in the water, with a left quiet region and a right quiet region in the wake. The hull may exhibit rotation around one or more of its roll, pitch, and yaw axes which affects the quiet regions in the wake. A gyroscope supported in the hull may be used to rotate the hull around one or more axes. Such rotation may be used to create a surf left and/or surf right configuration, and measured via one or more sensors. Other systems and methods are also provided.