An engine speed control device for a vessel in which a plurality of outboard motors are mounted on a hull, has a control unit that performs control, on the basis of an operation of one switch, so as to set engines of the outboard motors to a synchronous mode in which the engines have an identical engine speed, wherein the control unit determines in advance an engine to serve as a reference among the engines of the outboard motors, and automatically changes the mode to the synchronous mode in which the engine speeds of engines other than the reference engine become equal to the engine speed of the reference engine when all the engines satisfy a condition to transit to the synchronous mode.

A tiller system for steering a marine propulsion device. The tiller system includes a tiller arm rotatably coupled to the marine propulsion device. The tiller arm is rotatable from a down position to an up position through a plurality of lock positions therebetween. A toothed member is coupled to one of the tiller arm and the marine propulsion device. The toothed member defines a plurality of teeth corresponding to the plurality of lock positions for the tiller arm. A pawl is coupled to another of the tiller arm and the marine propulsion device, where the pawl engages with the plurality of teeth to prevent the tiller arm from rotating downwardly through the plurality of lock positions.

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 method of operating a handheld device for controlling a watercraft motor is provided. The method comprises determining whether the handheld device is operating in an anchor mode or a heading hold mode; receiving movement data when the joystick is in a non-neutral position that includes a direction of movement; generating steering command(s), with a steering command of the steering command(s) being based on the movement data; causing motor rotation based on the steering command; detecting the joystick shifting to the neutral position, with the watercraft being at a location when the joystick shifts to the neutral position; when in the anchor mode, causing the motor to cease operation proximate to the location after the joystick has shifted to the neutral position; and, when in the heading hold mode, causing the motor to continue operating so that the watercraft travels in the new heading direction after the joystick shifts.

A watercraft includes a hull having a lengthwise-extending keel and a transom extending perpendicularly to the keel about an aft end of the hull. An electrically-powered propulsion pod is engaged with the hull on opposite sides of the keel. A single control unit is in communication with the propulsion pods, wherein the single control unit is arranged to interact with the propulsion pods to control steering, direction, and velocity of the hull. An associated method of forming a watercraft is also provided.

A control system for a trolling motor operated based upon commands generated by a wireless remote control device and a wired foot pedal is provided. The controller is interposed between the trolling motor and the wired foot pedal to add wireless controllability to the trolling motor via the wireless remote control. The controller communicates with the remote control through a bidirectional wireless communication link to receive commands and to provide status information on the operation of the motor. The remote control includes user inputs for generating commands that are sent wirelessly to the controller to control operation of the marine device. The remote control also includes a display for displaying real time status information that is received wirelessly from the controller. The controller generates control signals upon receipt of wireless communication from the remote control that simulate signals that are normally generated by the wired foot pedal.

A marine propulsion system includes an engine effectuating rotation of an output shaft, a battery, an alternator having a rotor driven into rotation by the output shaft and that is configured to generate a charge output to the battery, a battery state of charge sensor configured to measure a battery charge value of the battery, and a control system. This control system is configured to receive a demand value and/or a temperature, receive the battery charge value from the battery state of charge sensor; and control the alternator to adjust the charge output based on at least one of the battery charge value and the demand value and/or temperature.

A trolling motor assembly for use with a watercraft and for wirelessly communicating marine data with a remote electronic device. The assembly includes a trolling motor housing coupled to a second end of a main shaft and having mounted therein a propulsion motor for providing propulsion power to the watercraft and a sonar transducer assembly for generating marine data about an underwater environment relative to the watercraft, and a main housing coupled to a first end of the main shaft and having mounted therein a processor for processing the marine data received from the sonar transducer assembly, and a wireless module for wirelessly transmitting the marine data to the remote electronic device.

An electric outboard motor 1 includes an operating part 33 that is switchable between forward and reverse rotation positions; a control device 35 configured to switch, based on the position of the operating part, a drive state of an electric motor 8 between forward, reverse, and neutral states. When the position of the operating part is switched from the forward rotation position to the reverse rotation position (ST1 Yes) while a watercraft is moving (ST2: Yes), the control device causes the drive state to transition from the forward rotation state to the reverse rotation state (ST3) such that, before completion of the transition, the drive state is held to be the neutral state for a predetermined time period (ST4).

A control handle for controlling an electric drive system of a sailboat is provided. The control handle comprises a handle and a handle shaft, where the control handle is provided with a plurality of engagement positions. A first engagement position is adapted to engage a forward drive mode of the electric drive system, a second engagement position is adapted to engage a reverse drive mode of the electric drive system, a third engagement position is adapted to engage an idle drive mode of the electric drive system, and a fourth engagement position is adapted to engage a hydro energy generation mode of the electric drive system.