An embodiment of a system for controlling a marine vessel includes a torque and/or position sensor configured to measure at least one of a torque applied by a steering wheel of the marine vessel and a rotational position of the steering wheel, and a processing device configured to receive a measurement of the steering wheel and electronically control a steering mechanism at a stern region of the marine vessel. The processing device is configured to estimate an angle of the steering wheel, determine a corresponding angle to be applied to the steering mechanism, and transmit a steering command based on the corresponding angle to an actuation device at the stern region.

The present invention is directed to systems for providing a pathway for at least one electrical conductor to supply current from a vehicle or marine craft power source to a steering wheel comprising at least one working element for heating or controls. The present invention utilizes a brush and slip ring assemblies inside a hub for infinite rotation of the steering wheel while still maintaining a path for current to travel through the hub to the wheel.

A method for steering a marine vessel powered by a marine engine and having a steerable marine device includes initiating a docking mode, and in response to initiation of the docking mode, reducing a steering ratio between input signals corresponding to steered positions of a steering wheel and output signals corresponding to desired steering angles of the marine device, such that the steering ratio is less than the steering ratio would otherwise be were the vessel in a non-docking mode. Input signals are accepted from the steering wheel, and output signals are generated based on the input signals and the reduced steering ratio. The output signals are sent to a steering actuator coupled to the marine device, which controls a position of the marine device to the desired steering angles.

This disclosure relates generally to controlling movement of at least one steering device on a watercraft.

A watercraft includes a steering operator to be operated by a user to steer a watercraft, an operation amount sensor to detect an operation amount of the steering operator, a steering device including a steering actuator to change a steering angle, a steering angle sensor to detect the steering angle, and a steering controller configured or programmed to control the steering actuator according to an output signal of the operation amount sensor and an output signal of the steering angle sensor. The steering controller is configured or programmed to monitor the output signal of the steering angle sensor for an abnormality, feedback-control the steering actuator based on the output signal of the steering angle sensor to achieve a target steering angle when the abnormality is not detected, and feedforward-control the steering actuator based on the output signal of the operation amount sensor when the abnormality is detected.

A method of controlling a steering system on a marine vessel includes, in response to receiving input to engage a quick steer mode, employing a reduced steering ratio to translate a change in position of a steering wheel to a desired change in steering angle of a marine drive. A vessel speed of the marine vessel is compared to a threshold vessel speed. Upon determining that the vessel speed exceeds the threshold vessel speed, an output limit in a direction of travel of the marine vessel is determined and the marine drive is controlled based on the output limit. A steering actuator associated with the marine drive is controlled based on the reduced steering ratio and the change in position of the steering wheel.

A steering system for a marine vessel comprises a helm, a control head, and a joystick. The helm and control head may respectively provide user inputted steering commands and user inputted shift and throttle commands on a first CAN network. The joystick and the control head may respectively provide user inputted steering commands and user inputted shift and throttle commands on a second CAN network. The helm may provide user inputted steering commands on the first CAN network. The control head may provide user inputted shift and throttle commands on the second CAN network. The joystick may provide user inputted steering commands and user inputted shift and throttle commands on either the first CAN network or the second CAN network.

There is disclosed a watercraft paddle apparatus operable by a user's legs and feet. In an embodiment, the watercraft paddle apparatus comprises a pair of rails positioned side-by-side and mountable to a watercraft, each rail configured to slidably receive a pedal mechanism adapted to slide back and forth along each rail. Each pedal mechanism includes a downwardly extendable paddle adapted to engage a water surface on which the watercraft is floating during a backward stride and to lift from the water surface on a forward stride, whereby a user can operate the pedal mechanism in each rail using an alternating walking or skiing motion. In an embodiment, each pedal mechanism is supported laterally by a front axle with a pair of wheels on either end of the front axle engaging the parallel rails. In another embodiment, each pedal mechanism is attached, via a rotatable joint, to a rear axle with a pair of wheels on either end of the rear axle engaging the same parallel rails as the front axle, whereby, the rotatable joint allows each pedal to be angled through a range of motion in order to support a user's foot throughout a stride.

A multipurpose vessel suitable for the intended purposes of being practically and quickly. This can be performed manually or using a lifting device, to arrange the various modules, in accordance with the purpose of the task to be performed, in several positions along the deck, in accordance with the distribution of the cargo to be transported. There are tanks arranged below the compartments, which can be used as fuel tanks and/or ballast. The compartments can also be configured individually or in combination.

A control system for a marine vessel includes an autopilot system and a power steering system. The autopilot system is arranged to receive a first signal indicative of navigation information and output a second signal indicative of a steering action. The power steering system is in communication with the autopilot system and is arranged to pivot or turn at least one of a rudder and a propulsion unit based on the second signal.