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 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 recreational sport boat includes a hull, having starboard and port sides and a transom, and a wake-modifying devices positioned aft of the transom. The wake-modifying device includes a plate-like member and at least one downturned surface. The wake-modifying device is pivotable between a non-deployed position and a deployed position about a pivot axis. When a wake-modifying device is in the deployed position, the downturned surface is lower than it is in the non-deployed position so as to be able to modify the boat's wake.

An adjustable surf wake system can enhance a wake formed by a watercraft travelling through water. A rider control device can enable a rider to control the wake of the watercraft while riding the wake, such as for wake surfing. The rider can adjust the speed of the watercraft, can adjust the height of the wake, and/or can change the watercraft between a surf-left configuration and a surf-right configuration. The rider control device can include a position sensor. A drone can position a camera based on the position sensor of the rider control device for filming the rider.

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 marine vessel having a propeller that provides propulsive force to the marine vessel, and a course control system. The course control system includes a course changing mechanism that changes a course of the marine vessel, and a controller configured or programmed to detect a sudden movement of the marine vessel originating from broaching caused by a following wave of the marine vessel, and upon detecting the sudden movement of the marine vessel originating from the broaching, control a rotation rate of the propeller and/or cause the course changing mechanism to change the course of the marine vessel.

A posture control system for a hull includes a movable posture control plate. An outboard motor is attached to the hull and is movable with respect to the hull. A controller is configured or programmed to control movement of the posture control plate and movement of the outboard motor so as to control the posture of the hull.

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 recreational sport boat includes a hull, having starboard and port sides and a transom, and a wake-modifying devices positioned aft of the transom. The wake-modifying device includes a plate-like member and at least one downturned surface. The wake-modifying device is pivotable between a non-deployed position and a deployed position about a pivot axis. When a wake-modifying device is in the deployed position, the downturned surface is lower than it is in the non-deployed position so as to be able to modify the boat's wake.

A control device of a marine propulsion device, which has an engine and a propeller and is mounted on a hull. The control device includes a processor, and a non-transitory storage medium having program instructions stored thereon. The execution of the program instructions by the processor causes the control device to acquire a rotation speed of the engine or a rotation speed of the propeller, acquire a torque of the engine, acquire a speed of the hull, and determine whether a ventilation of the engine has occurred based on at least two among the acquired rotation speed, the acquired engine torque, and the acquired hull speed.