One embodiment of the invention comprises a method for controlling a marine vessel having a first steerable propulsor, a corresponding first reversing device, a second steerable propulsor and a corresponding second reversing device. The method comprises receiving a first vessel control signal corresponding to a rotational movement and no translational movement command, generating at least a first actuator control signal and a second actuator control signal in response to the first vessel control signal, coupling the first actuator control signal to and controlling the first steerable propulsor and the second steerable propulsor, and coupling the second actuator control signal to and controlling the first reversing device and to the second reversing device. The method creates rotational forces on the marine vessel with substantially no translational forces on the marine vessel.

A tiller system for steering an outboard motor. The tiller system includes a tiller arm that is rotatably coupled to the outboard motor. The tiller arm is rotatable from a down position to an up position through a plurality of lock positions therebetween. A tilt lock system is coupled between the tiller arm and the outboard motor and is configured to be activated and deactivated. When activated, the tilt lock system prevents the tiller arm from rotating downwardly through each of the plurality of lock positions. The tiller arm is further rotatable into an unlock position, whereby rotating the tiller arm into the unlock position automatically deactivates the tilt lock system such that the tiller arm is freely rotatable downwardly through the plurality of lock positions.

A ship handling device enabling easy turning calibration. With a ship handling device (7), during turning calibration with the ship handling device (7), the joystick lever (10) is turned to rotate the forward-backward propellers (4) on the port and starboard sides of the ship, and the joystick lever (10) is tilted to change a forward-thrust/backward-thrust ratio of the forward-backward propeller (4) on the port or starboard side or to change the rotation speeds. When a calibration execution switch (10a) is operated, thrusts generated with the changed forward-thrust backward-thrust ratio are set as correction coefficients, or, among thrusts generated at the changed rotation speeds (Npn, Nsn) of the forward-backward propellers (4) on the port and starboard sides, thrusts generated by the forward-backward propellers (4) on the port and starboard sides according to the tilting of the joystick lever (10) are set as correction coefficients (Cp, Cs).

A drive-by-wire control system for steering a propulsion device on a marine vessel includes a steering wheel that is manually rotatable and a steering actuator that causes the propulsion device to steer based upon rotation of the steering wheel. The system further includes a resistance device that applies a resistance force against rotation of the steering wheel, and a controller that controls the resistance device to vary the resistance force based on at least one sensed condition of the system.

A method for automatically starting and stopping engine(s) of a vessel based on the position of a handle. Automatic starting occurs by activating an ignition circuit, receiving a signal indicating handle position, and providing a signal to start the engine when the handle is out of neutral position. A signal to shift the transmission into gear is sent when the handle is in an idle position. Automatic stopping of the engine includes receiving a signal the handle is in neutral, receiving status information of the engine, and providing a signal to stop the engine when the handle is in neutral and either the engine is not running or at least one of a number of conditions are met. A shutoff timer may delay auto stop of the engine, which may reset whenever any of the conditions ceases to be true.

A system for controlling a marine vessel having first and second steering nozzles and corresponding first and second reversing buckets, comprises a processor configured to receive a first vessel control signal including at least a component corresponding to a translational thrust command in a port direction, and that is configured to provide a set of actuator control signals coupled to and control the first and second reversing buckets. The processor is configured to provide the set of actuator control signals so as to maintain the first reversing bucket substantially in a first discrete position and the second reversing bucket substantially in a second discrete position as long as the first vessel control signal includes a component corresponding to a translational thrust command in the port direction.

A tiller assembly includes a base and a tiller arm pivotably connected to the base. One of the base and the tiller arm defines a recess. The recess is at least partially defined by a female tapered surface. A shaft extends through the base and the tiller arm and has a first threaded portion. A clamping fitting is connected to the shaft and received in the recess. The clamping fitting is rotationally fixed relative to another one of the base and the tiller arm and has a male tapered surface. One of a handle and the clamping fitting has a second threaded portion engaged with the first threaded portion. Rotation of the first threaded portion relative to the second threaded portion in a pre-determined direction causes the male tapered surface to press against the female tapered surface. A marine outboard engine and a tiller assembly kit are also provided.

A boat speed control device for a boat including a manual shifter and an outboard motor, includes an actuator and a controller. The outboard motor is operably connected to the manual shifter. The manual shifter includes a shift lever shiftable between a sailing position and a neutral position. The actuator is connected to the shift lever. The controller is configured or programmed to control the actuator to shift the shift lever to the sailing position and the neutral position.

A method for controlling low-speed propulsion of a marine vessel powered by a marine propulsion system having a plurality of propulsion devices includes receiving a signal indicating a position of a manually operable input device movable to indicate desired vessel movement within three degrees of freedom, and associating the position of the manually operable input device with a desired inertial velocity of the marine vessel. A steering position command and an engine command are then determined for each of the plurality of propulsion devices based on the desired inertial velocity and the propulsion system is controlled accordingly. An actual velocity of the marine vessel is measured and a difference between the desired inertial velocity and the actual velocity is determined, where the difference is used as feedback in subsequent steering position command and engine command determinations.

A shift device for a boat includes a lever which can be operated about a predetermined axis, and a lever operation suppression mechanism which suppresses an operation of the lever. The lever operation suppression mechanism includes a load applying portions (a first load applying portion and a second load applying portion) which apply different loads to the lever in a first operation period of operating the lever between a neutral position of the lever and a first position corresponding to a forward movement of the boat, and in a second operation period of operating the lever between the neutral position and a second position corresponding to a backward movement of the boat.