A marine propulsion system includes a controller configured or programmed to perform a control to rotate a hull by driving an auxiliary propulsion device having a maximum output smaller than a maximum output of a main propulsion device and having a steering angle range wider than a steering angle range of the main propulsion device without generating a thrust from the main propulsion device.

A marine propulsion system includes a controller configured or programmed to perform a control to move a hull in a lateral direction by driving both a main propulsion device and an auxiliary propulsion device having a maximum output smaller than a maximum output of the main propulsion device.

A marine propulsion system includes a controller configured or programmed to perform a rudder angle change control to change a rudder angle of an auxiliary propulsion device by a predetermined angle to one side in a right-left direction of a hull with respect to a forward-rearward direction of the hull so as to move the hull along the forward-rearward direction without rotating the hull when motorized forward-rearward movement is performed to move the hull along the forward-rearward direction by driving the auxiliary propulsion device that is provided to one side of the hull in the right-left direction without generating a thrust from a main propulsion device.

A marine propulsion system includes a main propulsion device, an auxiliary propulsion device including an electric motor to drive an auxiliary thruster, and a controller configured or programmed to perform an automatic marine vessel maneuvering control to direct a bow or a stern of a hull to a target point by rotating the hull and maintain the hull, the bow or the stern of which has been directed to the target point, at the target point by moving the hull in a forward-rearward direction. The controller is configured or programmed to rotate the hull by driving the auxiliary thruster while stopping a main thruster of the main propulsion device in the automatic marine vessel maneuvering control.

A marine propulsion system includes a main propulsion device operable to rotate in a right-left direction to change a direction of a thrust, an auxiliary propulsion device including an electric motor to drive an auxiliary thruster to generate a thrust, operable to rotate in the right-left direction to change a direction of the thrust, and having a maximum output smaller than a maximum output of the main propulsion device, and a controller configured or programmed to perform a fixed point holding control to maintain an orientation of a bow of the hull at a target orientation and maintain a position of the hull at a target point by causing the main propulsion device and the auxiliary propulsion device to cooperate with each other.

A steering apparatus for a marine vessel includes a central portion supported rotatably around a rotation fulcrum with respect to a hull, a wheel portion, a spoke portion that connects the central portion and the wheel portion, first switches, second switches near the first switches, and paddles operable to cause a thrust to be applied in a front-rear direction to the hull. The first and second switches control the hull in different modes. The first switches are located at positions where a marine vessel operator is able to operate the first switches with the fingers of hands operating the paddles. The first and second switches are on the spoke portion and have different heights in a pressing direction.

A hydrofoil watercraft system comprising: a flotation device; a downward mast extending from a bottom surface of the flotation device; a fuselage, a foil wing extending from one first end of the fuselage; and a plurality of fins independently movable independent of one another, wherein at least two of the movable fins extend in opposite directions from one second end of the fuselage, where the movable fins are used for steering the watercraft. The system further includes a controller for receiving user input, wherein the controller drives the movable fins respectively based on the user input. One of the movable fins is driven by the controller to rotate along a first axis while another of the movable fins is driven by the controller to rotate along a second axis, wherein the first axis and the second axis are substantially symmetrical with respect to the fuselage.

A method for a marine vessel includes determining if a first propulsion device on the marine vessel is rotated about a horizontal tilt/trim axis above a predetermined threshold and determining if a second propulsion device on the marine vessel is deployed. If the second propulsion device is deployed, the method includes retracting the second propulsion device in response to determining that the first propulsion device is rotated above the predetermined threshold. If the second propulsion device is not deployed, the method includes prohibiting the second propulsion device from being deployed in response to determining that the first propulsion device is rotated above the predetermined threshold.

A boat comprises a hull, a primary steering mechanism carried by the hull, a control station located on the hull, a helm located at the control station, and a thruster system carried by the hull. The primary steering mechanism, such as a rudder, is operable via the helm with a helm input being derived from operation of the primary steering mechanism thereby. The thruster system includes at least one thruster mounted to the hull, distinct from the primary steering mechanism, and a controller. The controller receives the helm input and is configured with program instructions to operate the at least one thruster responsive to the helm input to supplement a corresponding movement of the hull. The controller can also automatically operate the thruster responsive to direction, speed and ballast inputs.

A marine propulsion system includes an engine-powered propulsion device coupled in torque-transmitting relationship with an engine. A non-engine-powered propulsion device is coupled to a source of electric or hydraulic power. A control module is provided in signal communication with the engine-powered propulsion device and the non-engine-powered propulsion device. A user-operated input device is in signal communication with the control module. The marine propulsion system operates in a non-engine-powered propulsion mode in response to the control module determining the following: the engine was previously running; a speed of the engine is below an engine-stopped speed threshold; the marine propulsion system is on; and a request for movement of the vessel has been input via the user-operated input device. While the marine propulsion system operates in the non-engine-powered propulsion mode, the control module controls the non-engine-powered propulsion device to generate thrust to maneuver the vessel according to the request for movement.