A method for controlling a trim system on a marine vessel includes receiving an actual trim position of a trimmable marine device at a controller and determining a trim position error by comparing the actual trim position to a target trim position with the controller. The method also includes determining an acceleration rate of the marine vessel. In response to determining that the trim position error exceeds a first error threshold and the magnitude of the acceleration rate exceeds a given rate threshold, the controller commands the marine device to the target trim position. In response to determining that the trim position error exceeds the first error threshold and the acceleration rate does not exceed the given rate threshold, the controller commands the marine device to a setpoint trim position that is different from the target trim position. An associated system is also disclosed.

A method for controlling a trim system on a marine vessel includes receiving an actual trim position of a trimmable marine device at a controller and determining a trim position error by comparing the actual trim position to a target trim position with the controller. The method also includes determining an acceleration rate of the marine vessel. In response to determining that the trim position error exceeds a first error threshold and the magnitude of the acceleration rate exceeds a given rate threshold, the controller commands the marine device to the target trim position. In response to determining that the trim position error exceeds the first error threshold and the acceleration rate does not exceed the given rate threshold, the controller commands the marine device to a setpoint trim position that is different from the target trim position. An associated system is also disclosed.

A trim control system automatically controls trim angle of a marine propulsion device with respect to a vessel. A memory stores trim base profiles, each defining a unique relationship between vessel speed and trim angle. An input device allows selection of a base profile to specify an aggressiveness of trim angle versus vessel speed, and then optionally to further refine the aggressiveness. A controller then determines a setpoint trim angle based on a measured vessel speed. If the user has not chosen to refine the aggressiveness, the controller determines the setpoint trim angle from the selected base profile. However, if the user has chosen to refine the aggressiveness, the controller determines the setpoint trim angle from a trim sub-profile, which defines a variant of the relationship between vessel speed and trim angle defined by the selected base profile. The control system positions the propulsion device at the setpoint trim angle.

A trim control system automatically controls trim angle of a marine propulsion device with respect to a vessel. A memory stores trim base profiles, each defining a unique relationship between vessel speed and trim angle. An input device allows selection of a base profile to specify an aggressiveness of trim angle versus vessel speed, and then optionally to further refine the aggressiveness. A controller then determines a setpoint trim angle based on a measured vessel speed. If the user has not chosen to refine the aggressiveness, the controller determines the setpoint trim angle from the selected base profile. However, if the user has chosen to refine the aggressiveness, the controller determines the setpoint trim angle from a trim sub-profile, which defines a variant of the relationship between vessel speed and trim angle defined by the selected base profile. The control system positions the propulsion device at the setpoint trim angle.

The invention relates to a steering control device for boats that includes a drive shaft, the rotation of which in one direction or in the opposite direction, by way of a control member, such as a steering wheel or helm mounted or mountable thereon, causes a steering input for an outboard motor or rudder. The steering input is generated by a transmission member, housed into a case, configured to transmit the rotational motion of the shaft to an actuator, associated or associable to the motor or rudder, through a transmission circuit. The device includes a first stationary part configured to be fastened on the bridge of the boat and a second movable part integral with the case of the transmission member. The drive shaft and the transmission member are coupled such that the change in the tilt of the shaft by a given angle causes a change in the tilt of the transmission member by the same angle with a corresponding change in the tilt of the case of the transmission member with respect to the stationary part of the device.

The invention relates to a steering control device for boats that includes a drive shaft, the rotation of which in one direction or in the opposite direction, by way of a control member, such as a steering wheel or helm mounted or mountable thereon, causes a steering input for an outboard motor or rudder. The steering input is generated by a transmission member, housed into a case, configured to transmit the rotational motion of the shaft to an actuator, associated or associable to the motor or rudder, through a transmission circuit. The device includes a first stationary part configured to be fastened on the bridge of the boat and a second movable part integral with the case of the transmission member. The drive shaft and the transmission member are coupled such that the change in the tilt of the shaft by a given angle causes a change in the tilt of the transmission member by the same angle with a corresponding change in the tilt of the case of the transmission member with respect to the stationary part of the device.

The propulsion unit comprises an electric actuator and a tiller coupled the electric actuator. The electric actuator includes a housing having a first end and second end. There is an output shaft fully received within the housing. The output shaft includes a coupling portion and a tiller is coupled the coupling portion of the output shaft such that such that a line of action of the actuator is in the same plane as the tiller.

The propulsion unit comprises an electric actuator and a tiller coupled the electric actuator. The electric actuator includes a housing having a first end and second end. There is an output shaft fully received within the housing. The output shaft includes a coupling portion and a tiller is coupled the coupling portion of the output shaft such that such that a line of action of the actuator is in the same plane as the tiller.

An outboard motor includes an engine, a cowl, and a tilt mechanism. The cowl accommodates the engine. The tilt mechanism pivots the cowl from a tilt-down position to a tilt-up position about a horizontal tilt axis. The cowl includes a movable portion that moves from a normal position to a contracted position to reduce a contour of the cowl when the cowl is pivoted from the tilt-down position to the tilt-up position by the tilt mechanism.

An outboard motor includes an engine, a cowl, and a tilt mechanism. The cowl accommodates the engine. The tilt mechanism pivots the cowl from a tilt-down position to a tilt-up position about a horizontal tilt axis. The cowl includes a movable portion that moves from a normal position to a contracted position to reduce a contour of the cowl when the cowl is pivoted from the tilt-down position to the tilt-up position by the tilt mechanism.