A device for fastening a steering actuator cylinder to an outboard marine motor includes a fastening rod insertable inside the outboard marine motor and having ends each inserted inside a corresponding housing seat obtained in a terminal element, so that the fastening rod has a relative rotation with respect to the terminal elements, which are further fastened to the steering cylinder. The outboard motor is integral with the fastening rod, so that the outboard motor can oscillate around the longitudinal axis of the fastening rod. At least one insulating element is interposed between each end of the fastening rod and the corresponding housing seat, the insulating element is configured to at least partially surround the surface of each end.

An outboard motor includes a transom clamp bracket configured to be supported on a transom of a marine vessel and a swivel bracket configured to be supported by the transom clamp bracket. A propulsion unit is supported by the swivel bracket, the propulsion unit comprising a head unit, a midsection below the head unit, and a lower unit below the midsection. The head unit, midsection, and lower unit are generally vertically aligned with one another when the outboard motor is in a neutral tilt/trim position. The propulsion unit is detachable from the transom clamp bracket.

An outboard motor includes a transom clamp bracket configured to be supported on a transom of a marine vessel and a swivel bracket configured to be supported by the transom clamp bracket. A propulsion unit is supported by the swivel bracket, the propulsion unit comprising a head unit, a midsection below the head unit, and a lower unit below the midsection. The head unit, midsection, and lower unit are generally vertically aligned with one another when the outboard motor is in a neutral tilt/trim position. The propulsion unit is detachable from the transom clamp bracket.

A trolling motor is provided for attachment to a watercraft. The trolling motor includes a system for steering and trimming a trolling motor. The system includes a trolling motor shaft attachment feature configured to receive and rotate with a trolling motor shaft about a trolling motor shaft axis. The system further includes a steering system having a steering motor configured to rotate the shaft attachment feature and shaft to steer a facing direction of the trolling motor. The trim system includes a trim module having a trim motor configured to cause the trolling motor shaft to raise or lower with respect to the steering system so as to cause the trolling motor to raise or lower with respect to the watercraft. The trim module is disposed on the shaft attachment feature such that the trim module rotates with the trolling motor shaft attachment feature about the shaft axis.

A trolling motor is provided for attachment to a watercraft. The trolling motor includes a system for steering and trimming a trolling motor. The system includes a trolling motor shaft attachment feature configured to receive and rotate with a trolling motor shaft about a trolling motor shaft axis. The system further includes a steering system having a steering motor configured to rotate the shaft attachment feature and shaft to steer a facing direction of the trolling motor. The trim system includes a trim module having a trim motor configured to cause the trolling motor shaft to raise or lower with respect to the steering system so as to cause the trolling motor to raise or lower with respect to the watercraft. The trim module is disposed on the shaft attachment feature such that the trim module rotates with the trolling motor shaft attachment feature about the shaft axis.

A device and a method for controlling an electrical steering system in a marine vessel comprising at least one steerable propulsion unit, the electrical steering system comprising a main steering system (220; 220.1) that comprises a main electric motor (221; 221.1) and a main power source, e.g. a main battery (229; 229.1); a main steering angle sensor (226; 226.1) arranged to detect the steering angle of the propulsion unit; a main control unit (240; 240.1) arranged to steer the propulsion unit and to monitor the main steering system status; an auxiliary steering system comprising an auxiliary electric motor (231; 231.1) and an auxiliary battery (239; 239.1); and an auxiliary clutch (232; 232.1) arranged to connect a drive shaft of the auxiliary electric motor to the input shaft of the steering transmission (223; 223.1). The method involves the steps of engaging the auxiliary clutch at start-up of the propulsion unit; performing a diagnostic test of the main steering system during start-up; performing a calibration of an auxiliary steering angle sensor; and disengaging the auxiliary clutch upon completion of the diagnostic test.

A device and a method for controlling an electrical steering system in a marine vessel comprising at least one steerable propulsion unit, the electrical steering system comprising a main steering system (220; 220.1) that comprises a main electric motor (221; 221.1) and a main power source, e.g. a main battery (229; 229.1); a main steering angle sensor (226; 226.1) arranged to detect the steering angle of the propulsion unit; a main control unit (240; 240.1) arranged to steer the propulsion unit and to monitor the main steering system status; an auxiliary steering system comprising an auxiliary electric motor (231; 231.1) and an auxiliary battery (239; 239.1); and an auxiliary clutch (232; 232.1) arranged to connect a drive shaft of the auxiliary electric motor to the input shaft of the steering transmission (223; 223.1). The method involves the steps of engaging the auxiliary clutch at start-up of the propulsion unit; performing a diagnostic test of the main steering system during start-up; performing a calibration of an auxiliary steering angle sensor; and disengaging the auxiliary clutch upon completion of the diagnostic test.

A system for orienting a marine vessel is provided. The system includes marine propulsion devices, a gyroscopic stabilizer system, and a manually operable control device configured to provide an output signal which is representative of a desired movement of the marine vessel. The system further includes a controller operably coupled to the marine propulsion devices, the gyroscopic stabilization system and the manually operable control device. The controller is configured to receive the output signal from the manually operable control device, resolve said desired movement of the marine vessel into a target movement command, operate the marine propulsion devices to exert a thrust on the marine vessel to achieve the target movement command, and operate the gyroscopic stabilizer system consistent with the thrust exerted by the plurality of marine propulsion devices to achieve the target movement command.

A system for orienting a marine vessel is provided. The system includes marine propulsion devices, a gyroscopic stabilizer system, and a manually operable control device configured to provide an output signal which is representative of a desired movement of the marine vessel. The system further includes a controller operably coupled to the marine propulsion devices, the gyroscopic stabilization system and the manually operable control device. The controller is configured to receive the output signal from the manually operable control device, resolve said desired movement of the marine vessel into a target movement command, operate the marine propulsion devices to exert a thrust on the marine vessel to achieve the target movement command, and operate the gyroscopic stabilizer system consistent with the thrust exerted by the plurality of marine propulsion devices to achieve the target movement command.

A ship maneuvering system includes a propulsion unit to steer a ship body, a trim adjuster disposed on the ship body, and a controller. The controller is configured or programmed to correct a change in the traveling state of the ship body due to operation of the trim adjuster.