A dual drive system for providing motive power to a watercraft has a frame configured for connecting to the watercraft and a drive assembly connected to the frame. The drive assembly has a manual drive mechanism configured for receiving mechanical input from a user, a motor drive mechanism configured for receiving mechanical input from a motor, a driveshaft having a first end in selective engagement with one of the manual drive mechanism and the motor drive mechanism and a second end in engagement with a propeller, and a drive selector for selectively engaging the manual drive mechanism or the motor drive mechanism with the driveshaft based on a position of the drive selector between first and second positions. In the first position, the drive selector engages the manual drive mechanism with a driveshaft. In the second position, the drive selector engages the motor drive mechanism with the driveshaft.

A marine propulsion control system for use with a marine vessel includes an engine in electronic communication an engine controller, and a transmission having a gearbox and an oil pressure sensor in electronic communication with the engine controller and configured to measure a transmission oil pressure. The gearbox includes a feedback sensor configured to transmit a gear state. A propulsion device is rotatably connected to the gearbox, and a shaft fixedly attached to the propulsion device and rotatably coupled to the gearbox. The shaft includes a shaft rotation sensor configured to measure a rotational direction of the shaft. A propulsion control processor is in electronic communication with the engine controller, the shaft rotation sensor and the gearbox, and is configured to determine a current gear of the marine vessel based on the rotational direction of the shaft and one or more of the gear state and the transmission oil pressure.

A marine propulsion control system for use with a marine vessel includes an engine in electronic communication an engine controller, and a transmission having a gearbox and an oil pressure sensor in electronic communication with the engine controller and configured to measure a transmission oil pressure. The gearbox includes a feedback sensor configured to transmit a gear state. A propulsion device is rotatably connected to the gearbox, and a shaft fixedly attached to the propulsion device and rotatably coupled to the gearbox. The shaft includes a shaft rotation sensor configured to measure a rotational direction of the shaft. A propulsion control processor is in electronic communication with the engine controller, the shaft rotation sensor and the gearbox, and is configured to determine a current gear of the marine vessel based on the rotational direction of the shaft and one or more of the gear state and the transmission oil pressure.

A stowable propulsion system for a marine vessel. A base is configured to be coupled to the marine vessel. A shaft has a proximal end and a distal end with a length axis defined therebetween, where the shaft is pivotably coupled to the base and pivotable about a transverse axis between a stowed position and a deployed position, and where the distal end is closer to the marine vessel when in the stowed position than in the deployed position. A gearset is engaged between the shaft and the base, where the gearset rotates the shaft about the length axis when the shaft is pivoted between the stowed position and the deployed position. A propulsion device is coupled to the distal end of the shaft. The propulsion device is configured to propel the marine vessel in water when the shaft is in the deployed position.

A stowable propulsion system for a marine vessel. A base is configured to be coupled to the marine vessel. A shaft has a proximal end and a distal end with a length axis defined therebetween, where the shaft is pivotably coupled to the base and pivotable about a transverse axis between a stowed position and a deployed position, and where the distal end is closer to the marine vessel when in the stowed position than in the deployed position. A gearset is engaged between the shaft and the base, where the gearset rotates the shaft about the length axis when the shaft is pivoted between the stowed position and the deployed position. A propulsion device is coupled to the distal end of the shaft. The propulsion device is configured to propel the marine vessel in water when the shaft is in the deployed position.

A marine propulsion unit includes a stern drive mounted to a transom. The stern drive comprises an upper unit enclosed in a stern drive housing and a lower unit enclosed in a gearbox housing; wherein the gearbox housing contains a gearbox arranged to drive at least one propeller. The propulsion unit further comprises at least two electric motors arranged in the stern drive housing, which electric motors are mounted with vertical output shafts; a planetary gear set arranged between the at least two electric motors and the gearbox, and a vertical shaft that is attached to a ring gear of the planetary gear set at its upper end and is connected to the gearbox at its lower end; wherein the output shaft of each electric motor is connected to a planetary gear arranged in the planetary gear set to drive the ring gear and the vertical shaft connected to the gearbox.

A drive train in a marine vessel includes a marine pod drive unit and an inboard engine operatively connected by a driveshaft. To protectively enclose the driveshaft, a guard sleeve having a tubular configuration is disposed around the driveshaft and extends between the marine pod drive unit and the inboard engine. The first sleeve end of the guard sleeve is coupled to a first coupling collar on the marine pod drive unit using a first annular packing and the second sleeve end is coupled to a second coupling collar on the inboard engine using a second annular packing. The first and second annular packings enable relative angular displacement between the guard sleeve and the marine pod drive unit or the inboard engine.

A cycloidal marine propulsion unit, including a hollow rotary casing having a central axis and defining a central inner space with an opening at an axial end thereof. A mounting body rotatably supports the rotary casing on a hull of a marine vessel. A rotating arrangement is provided for rotating said hollow rotary casing, while a plurality of blades extend axially from the rotary casing away from the hull. Each blade is mounted for pivotal movement with respect to the rotary casing, about respective blade axes. The rotating arrangement is configured to rotate the rotary casing by a circumference thereof. A blade shaft portion of each blade is at least partly received within the central inner space so as to attach said blade to the rotary casing.

A cycloidal marine propulsion unit, including a hollow rotary casing having a central axis and defining a central inner space with an opening at an axial end thereof. A mounting body rotatably supports the rotary casing on a hull of a marine vessel. A rotating arrangement is provided for rotating said hollow rotary casing, while a plurality of blades extend axially from the rotary casing away from the hull. Each blade is mounted for pivotal movement with respect to the rotary casing, about respective blade axes. The rotating arrangement is configured to rotate the rotary casing by a circumference thereof. A blade shaft portion of each blade is at least partly received within the central inner space so as to attach said blade to the rotary casing.

A watercraft and associated pedal drive system are provided. The pedal drive system allows for unassisted manual pedaling to provide thrust to the watercraft. The pedal drive system also provides on demand pedal assistance of varying levels via an assist drive train having an electric motor to supplement the manual pedal force input provided by a user at the pedals of pedal drive system.