A steering assist unit for a tiller handle of an outboard motor includes a housing, a pump, and a hydraulic actuator. The housing is connected to the tiller handle. The pump is housed in the housing. The hydraulic actuator is driven by hydraulic fluid from the pump. The hydraulic actuator applies an assist steering force to the outboard motor.

A redundant steering system for watercraft that transfers rudder control to an electronic steering system when a hydraulic steering system either fails or is under repair. The electronic steering system utilizes either a fueled generator or a battery or series of batteries to power electric steering and flanking motors that serve control the angular position of the rudders.

A steering device for an outboard motor is rotatably supported on a hull of a boat about a steering axis. The steering device includes a tiller handle, an actuator, and a linkage. The tiller handle is attached to the outboard motor. The actuator rotates the tiller handle about the steering axis. The linkage is movably disposed between a connection position and a blocking position. The linkage transmits the driving force from the actuator to the tiller handle at the connection position. The linkage shuts off the transmission of the driving force from the actuator to the tiller handle at the blocking position.

A hydraulic steering system for a watercraft has first and second hydraulic steering actuators for steering first and second outdrives respectively, at least one hydraulic pump selectively supplying hydraulic pressure to at least one of the first and second actuators, a steering controller operatively connected to the at least one pump, a hydraulic helm selectively supplying hydraulic pressure to the first and second actuators, an auxiliary steering input device connected to the controller, and at least one mode selection valve having first and second mode positions for steering the watercraft in first and second steering modes respectively. In the first steering mode, the hydraulic helm is hydraulically connected to the first and second actuators. In the second steering mode, the hydraulic helm is hydraulically disconnected from the first and second actuators. A watercraft having the steering system and a method for steering a watercraft are also disclosed.

A hydraulic steering system for a watercraft has first and second hydraulic steering actuators for steering first and second outdrives respectively, at least one hydraulic pump selectively supplying hydraulic pressure to at least one of the first and second actuators, a steering controller operatively connected to the at least one pump, a hydraulic helm selectively supplying hydraulic pressure to the first and second actuators, an auxiliary steering input device connected to the controller, and at least one mode selection valve having first and second mode positions for steering the watercraft in first and second steering modes respectively. In the first steering mode, the hydraulic helm is hydraulically connected to the first and second actuators. In the second steering mode, the hydraulic helm is hydraulically disconnected from the first and second actuators. A watercraft having the steering system and a method for steering a watercraft are also disclosed.

A hydraulic steering system for a watercraft has first and second hydraulic steering actuators for steering first and second outdrives respectively, at least one hydraulic pump selectively supplying hydraulic pressure to at least one of the first and second actuators, a steering controller operatively connected to the at least one pump, a hydraulic helm selectively supplying hydraulic pressure to the first and second actuators, an auxiliary steering input device connected to the controller, and at least one mode selection valve having first and second mode positions for steering the watercraft in first and second steering modes respectively. In the first steering mode, the hydraulic helm is hydraulically connected to the first and second actuators. In the second steering mode, the hydraulic helm is hydraulically disconnected from the first and second actuators. A watercraft having the steering system and a method for steering a watercraft are also disclosed.

A hydraulic steering system for a watercraft has first and second hydraulic steering actuators for steering first and second outdrives respectively, at least one hydraulic pump selectively supplying hydraulic pressure to at least one of the first and second actuators, a steering controller operatively connected to the at least one pump, a hydraulic helm selectively supplying hydraulic pressure to the first and second actuators, an auxiliary steering input device connected to the controller, and at least one mode selection valve having first and second mode positions for steering the watercraft in first and second steering modes respectively. In the first steering mode, the hydraulic helm is hydraulically connected to the first and second actuators. In the second steering mode, the hydraulic helm is hydraulically disconnected from the first and second actuators. A watercraft having the steering system and a method for steering a watercraft are also disclosed.

A tiller assist hydraulic marine dampener and brake assembly has a fluid flow path with two potential flow restrictors in series. These include a solenoid valve and a hydraulic needle valve. A single cylinder piston serves to close both ends of the flow path. The tiller assist marine dampener and brake assembly in a second embodiment has a central coupling rod with recesses, a coupling link to a tiller arm, a co-axial tube, a nut adjacent each distal end of the co-axial tube securing the co-axial tube to a mounting bracket, a pair of springs co-axial with and surrounding the coupling rod and interior of the co-axial tube, a pair of adjustable end caps closing the gap between the ends of the co-axial tube and the coupling rod while also acting as stops for the springs, and a slide located between the pair of springs, and a set pin.

A tiller assist hydraulic marine dampener and brake assembly has a fluid flow path with two potential flow restrictors in series. These include a solenoid valve and a hydraulic needle valve. A single cylinder piston serves to close both ends of the flow path. The tiller assist marine dampener and brake assembly in a second embodiment has a central coupling rod with recesses, a coupling link to a tiller arm, a co-axial tube, a nut adjacent each distal end of the co-axial tube securing the co-axial tube to a mounting bracket, a pair of springs co-axial with and surrounding the coupling rod and interior of the co-axial tube, a pair of adjustable end caps closing the gap between the ends of the co-axial tube and the coupling rod while also acting as stops for the springs, and a slide located between the pair of springs, and a set pin.

An embodiment of a system for controlling a marine vessel includes an electrical power steering unit coupled to a mechanical control system, the mechanical control system including a steering wheel connected by a shaft to a mechanical cable assembly, the mechanical cable assembly configured to be actuated by the steering wheel to control a steering mechanism of the marine vessel. The electrical power steering unit includes an electric motor configured to apply a torque to the mechanical cable assembly. The system also includes a processor configured to control the electrical power steering unit to provide at least one of steering assist and control of the marine vessel.