A watercraft propulsion system includes a bow thruster to generate a lateral propulsive force, a propulsion device on a stern of a hull and having a variable steering angle, and a controller configured or programmed to control the bow thruster and the propulsion device to perform a fixed point holding control to maintain a position and an azimuth of the hull. The fixed point holding control includes a translation mode in which the hull position is maintained by controlling the propulsive force of the propulsion device with the steering angle set to a translation mode steering angle and the hull azimuth is adjusted by controlling the propulsive force of the bow thruster, and a bow turning mode in which the hull azimuth is adjusted by controlling the propulsive forces of the bow thruster and the propulsion device with the steering angle set to a bow turning mode steering angle.

A watercraft propulsion system includes a bow thruster, at least two propulsion devices, a translation operator to command a hull translation movement, and a controller configured or programmed to, in a translation watercraft maneuvering mode, control the propulsion devices so that propulsive force action lines thereof cross each other in the hull, and to drive one of the propulsion devices forward and drive another of the propulsion device in reverse. In a standby state, the controller is configured or programmed to prevent the bow thruster and the propulsion devices from generating propulsive forces, and set the steering angles of the propulsion devices to translation standby steering angles. In response to the operation of the translation operator, the controller is configured or programmed to cause the bow thruster and the propulsion devices to start generating the propulsive forces, and change the steering angles of the propulsion devices to translation steering angles.

A watercraft propulsion system includes a bow thruster, at least two propulsion devices, a translation/bow turning operator to apply a translation command to translate a hull and a bow turning command to turn a bow of the hull, and a controller configured or programmed to drive the bow thruster, and drive one of the at least two propulsion devices forward and another of the at least two propulsion devices in reverse while controlling the steering angles of the at least two propulsion devices so that propulsive force action lines of the at least two propulsion devices cross each other in the hull in a translation watercraft maneuvering mode to translate the hull in response to an operation of the translation/bow turning operator. The controller includes a calibration mode in which calibration is performed for the translation watercraft maneuvering mode.

A vessel hull for an inboard-powered marine vessel includes a hull body having a hull bottom that includes a contoured pod mounting surface positioned longitudinally between a central keel and a stern of the hull body. The contoured pod mounting surface has a planar mounting face, for mounting a propulsor pod, and a transition face each positioned between peripheral edges of the pod mounting surface. The transition face slopes forwardly and downwardly from the planar mounting face to the central keel and follows a contour defining a sine wave pattern.

A vessel hull for an inboard-powered marine vessel includes a hull body having a hull bottom that includes a contoured pod mounting surface positioned longitudinally between a central keel and a stern of the hull body. The contoured pod mounting surface has a planar mounting face, for mounting a propulsor pod, and a transition face each positioned between peripheral edges of the pod mounting surface. The transition face slopes forwardly and downwardly from the planar mounting face to the central keel and follows a contour defining a sine wave pattern.

The object of the invention is an inflatable watercraft (1) (SUPstand up paddling) with an embedded drive and having a specially shaped recess in the center, preferably in the center of gravity of the watercraft (1), into which a housing (2, 2) of a drive assembly is inserted before the watercraft is filled with air. While the watercraft (1) is filled with air, the air pressure firmly fixes the housing (2, 2) of the drive assembly to a proper position. The housing (2, 2) accommodates the drive assembly that comprises a storage battery (4), an electric motor (5), a compressor (3) and an electronic circuit (8), wherein the drive assembly is provided with a flow-through channel (6), in which a drive screw (7) is arranged, and both the input and the output sides of the flow-through channel (6) are protected by grates.

A watercraft propulsion system operably coupled to a watercraft wherein the propulsion system includes a housing assembly having a first housing and a second housing movable with respect to each other so as to provide an operational mode and a standby mode. The first housing includes at least one aperture that is configured to provide access to the interior volume of the first housing. The second housing includes at least one aperture configured to provide access to the interior volume of the second housing. In the operational mode the first housing and second housing are positioned so as to facilitate alignment of the at least one apertures formed therein. In the standby mode the first housing and second housing are positioned so as to provide an offset of the least one apertures. The first housing is movably mounted within the interior volume of the second housing.

A watercraft propulsion system operably coupled to a watercraft wherein the propulsion system includes a housing assembly having a first housing and a second housing movable with respect to each other so as to provide an operational mode and a standby mode. The first housing includes at least one aperture that is configured to provide access to the interior volume of the first housing. The second housing includes at least one aperture configured to provide access to the interior volume of the second housing. In the operational mode the first housing and second housing are positioned so as to facilitate alignment of the at least one apertures formed therein. In the standby mode the first housing and second housing are positioned so as to provide an offset of the least one apertures. The first housing is movably mounted within the interior volume of the second housing.

What is provided is a propeller guard apparatus that may be readily configured to a variety of different boat motors. Described embodiments of the propeller guard apparatus comprise a cylindrical housing configured to circumferentially enclose a propeller from all sides in order to protect humans, pets, and aquatic wildlife from being entangled or cut by the propeller. Described embodiments of the propeller guard apparatus also comprise a protective structure, such as a skid plate comprising of at least two pieces of metal attached from the cylindrical housing to an end of the outer casing to form a folded T-shaped configuration. This type of configuration serves to protect the propeller from damage caused by submerged objects and aquatic wildlife found in shallow water. Also, the folded T-shaped configuration may push vegetation, weeds, manatees, and other aquatic wildlife away from the path of the moving boat and its propeller.

A system for cutting marine grasses, weeds and other plant life to protect a propeller drive watercraft is disclosed. An adjustable, protective cutting edge to protect a propeller, drive shaft of a boat or other watercraft motor is further disclosed. An adjustable cutting device to mount upon base having openings or windows is further disclosed for optimizing the navigation of watercraft and reducing in-piloting maintenance of clearing plant matter from propeller driven motor assembly.