A system for controlling one or more propulsion devices of a marine vessel. The system includes circuitry configured to: receive a steering angle command for a propulsion device of the marine vessel; receive a trim position of the propulsion device; and generate a steering actuator position command for the propulsion device based on the steering angle command and the trim position of the propulsion device.

A propulsion control arrangement operable to control a speed and possible direction of a marine vessel. A marine propulsion control system controlling a carried by a hull of a marine vessel, wherein the marine propulsion control system is adapted to receive an input command from the propulsion control arrangement.

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 support system for outboard marine motors at the transom of a boat includes a support device having a first part that is integral with the transom and a second part that is integral with the outboard motor. The second part is translatable with respect to the first part, so that the second part moves according to an orientation in the distancing or approaching direction of the water line of the boat. A control unit is configured to set the position of the second part with respect to the first part and to generate control signals, so as to move the second part in the direction of immersion of the propeller of the outboard motor.

A control device for an outboard motor controls a plurality of outboard motors included in a ship. Each outboard motor includes a propulsion unit and a steering actuator. The ship includes an operation unit that operates the steering actuator and the propulsion unit. The operation unit can be positioned at a first position at which the outboard motors do not generate a propulsion force for the ship, a second position at which the outboard motors generate a propulsion force for moving the ship in a leftward-rightward direction, and a third position at which the outboard motors generate a propulsion force for moving the ship in an oblique direction that forms an acute angle with the leftward-rightward direction. A forward-backward direction component of a propulsion force in the oblique direction which is generated by the outboard motors in a case in which the operation unit is moved from the first position to the third position via the second position is larger than that in a case in which the operation unit is moved directly from the first position to the third position, or a leftward-rightward direction component of a propulsion force in the oblique direction which is generated by the outboard motors in the former case is smaller than that in the latter case.

A marine vessel maneuvering system includes a controller configured or programmed to control a steering speed to be a first steering speed when an operator is moved from a neutral position, and to control the steering speed to be a second steering speed that is lower than the first steering speed when the operator is returned to the neutral position.

A system for controlling an outboard motor attached to a boat includes an input, a light unit, and a controller. The input is operable by an operator to select a control mode of the outboard motor. The light unit includes a plurality of light sources. The controller is connected to the input and the light unit. The controller controls the outboard motor according to the control mode. The controller controls the light unit to light the plurality of light sources in a pattern indicating a movement of the boat according to the control mode.

A control device for an outboard motor controls a plurality of outboard motors included in a ship. Each outboard motor includes a propulsion unit and a steering actuator. The ship includes an operation unit that operates the steering actuator and the propulsion unit. The operation unit can be positioned at a first position at which the outboard motors do not generate a propulsion force for the ship, a second position at which the outboard motors generate a propulsion force for moving the ship in a leftward-rightward direction, and a third position at which the outboard motors generate a propulsion force for moving the ship in an oblique direction that forms an acute angle with the leftward-rightward direction. A forward-backward direction component of a propulsion force in the oblique direction which is generated by the outboard motors.

A method for controlling propulsion of a marine vessel powered by a marine propulsion system including a plurality of propulsion devices includes operating at least one proximity sensor to determine a relative position of the marine vessel with respect to an object, the at least one proximity sensor having a field of view (FOV), identifying a trigger condition for expanding the FOV of the at least one proximity sensor, and determining whether the object will be sufficiently captured based on recent vessel angle data of the marine vessel. Upon determining that the object will not be sufficiently captured, thrust and/or steering position of at least one of the plurality of propulsion devices is controlled to expand the FOV of the at least one proximity sensor by inducing a roll movement or a pitch movement of the marine vessel.

This outboard motor control device controls a plurality of outboard motors disposed on a rear portion of a hull of a boat. Each of the outboard motors includes a propulsion unit and a steering actuator. A boat includes an operation unit configured to operate the steering actuator and the propulsion unit. The operation unit is able to be positioned at a first position where the outboard motors do not generate a propulsion force of the boat and a second position where the outboard motors generate a propulsion force for moving the boat in a left-right direction. When the operation unit is moved from the first position to the second position and maintained at the second position, the outboard motors generate a first propulsion force during a first period from a first timing when the operation unit is moved to the second position to a second timing and subsequently generate a second propulsion force greater than the first propulsion force during a second period after the second timing.