Abstract: A marine electronics system is provided including a transducer assembly configured to receive active sonar returns during a first time period and receive passive sonar data during a second time period. The system also includes a marine electronics device including a user interface comprising a display, a processor, and a memory including computer program code configured to cause the marine electronics device to receive the passive sonar data from the transducer element, generate a noise level indicator based on the passive sonar data, and cause the noise level indicator to be displayed on the user interface. The noise level indicator includes an indication of an ambient noise level associated with the vessel.

Abstract: A user input assembly for controlling operation of a trolling motor assembly including a propulsion motor, the user input assembly having an input device housing defining a top surface that is configured to receive a user's foot thereon, wherein the top surface defines a left edge and right edge, a support plate, wherein the input device housing is pivotably mounted to the support plate, and a switch that is selectively secured to the input device housing in one of a first position and a second position, wherein the first position is proximate the left edge of the input device housing, the second position is proximate the right edge of the input device housing, and the switch is movable between an open position and closed position so that the power is supplied to the propulsion motor.

Abstract: A impact detection system is provided which includes a user interface comprising a display, processor, and memory. The memory includes computer program code configured to cause an electronic device to receive impact detection data from at least one impact detection device and generate one or more notifications based on the impact detection data.

Abstract: A sonar transducer assembly is provided including a transducer configured to transmit one or more sonar beams into an underwater environment, a housing that holds the transducer, at least one electrical cable that enables electrical signals to be transmitted between the transducer and a computing device, and a conductive enclosure disposed around at least a portion of the transducer and electrically connected to a ground line of the electrical cable to create a shielded volume. The conductive enclosure reduces an electromagnetic field within the shielded volume.

Abstract: An apparatus configured to generate a first sonar image from first sonar returns corresponding to a first depth range and generate a second sonar image from the first sonar returns and second sonar returns, the second sonar returns corresponding to a second depth range greater than the first depth range of the first sonar returns such that a portion of the second sonar image does not include sonar return data. The portion without sonar return data corresponds to a period of the first sonar returns and depths greater than the maximum depth of the first depth range. The apparatus is configured to generate and display a fill image for the portion of the second sonar image based on at least one set of side facing sonar return data corresponding to the time period associated with the first sonar returns.

Abstract: A system for determining distance corresponding to positions within a sonar image is provided. The system includes transducer elements configured to transmit sonar signals into a body of water and receive corresponding sonar returns. The system further includes a device with a processor and a memory including computer program code that is configured to cause the device to receive sonar returns, generate sonar images based on the sonar returns, receive a user input selection indicating a first and second sonar position in the sonar images, determine a first chart location that corresponds to the first sonar position, determine a second chart location that corresponds to the second sonar position, determine a distance between the first and second chart location and cause the distance to be displayed on a user interface. Systems are also included herein for presenting sonar beam indicators on charts for noting the direction of the sonar beam.

Abstract: A trolling motor assembly for use with a watercraft and for wirelessly communicating marine data with a remote electronic device. The assembly includes a trolling motor housing coupled to a second end of a main shaft and having mounted therein a propulsion motor for providing propulsion power to the watercraft and a sonar transducer assembly for generating marine data about an underwater environment relative to the watercraft, and a main housing coupled to a first end of the main shaft and having mounted therein a processor for processing the marine data received from the sonar transducer assembly, and a wireless module for wirelessly transmitting the marine data to the remote electronic device.

Abstract: A marine electronic device is provided including a user interface comprising a display, a marine electronic device processor, and a memory. The memory includes computer program code configured to cause the marine electronic device to receive sonar return data from at least one transducer element configured to transmit sound waves into a body of water, receive the sonar return signals from the body of water, and convert the sonar return signals into sonar return data. The computer program code is further configured to cause the marine electronic device to generate one or more sonar images based on the sonar return data, identify one or more degraded performance characteristics associated with the sonar return data or the one or more sonar images, and cause an alert based on identification of the one or more degraded performance characteristics.

Abstract: Example sonar transducer assemblies configured for reduced interference are provided herein. An example sonar transducer assembly includes a housing, a first transducer, and a second transducer. The first transducer is positioned within the housing such that a length is configured to extend in a first mounting plane and a produced first beam defining a fan-shape extends in a first plane. The second transducer is positioned at a tilted angle within the housing such that a length is configured to extend in a second mounting plane and a produced second beam defining a fan-shape is in a second plane. The second mounting plane is non-parallel to the first mounting plane and is offset from the first mounting plane by at least 1 degree such that the second plane is not parallel to the first plane so as to reduce interference between the first transducer and the second transducer.

Abstract: A user input assembly for controlling operation of a trolling motor assembly including a propulsion motor is provided herein. The user input assembly includes a support plate and a foot pedal defining a top surface that is configured to receive a user's foot thereon. The foot pedal is pivotably mounted to the support plate. A deflection sensor is in communication with the foot pedal and is configured to detect an angle of orientation of the foot pedal and output a signal corresponding with the angle of orientation of the foot pedal. The signal is receivable by a controller that is configured to control a direction of the propulsion motor of the trolling motor assembly. A feedback device is coupled with the foot pedal and configured to, in response to pivotal movement of the foot pedal about the first axis, provide a resistance force to the pivotal movement.

Abstract: A system is provided for imaging an underwater environment. The system includes a transducer assembly with at least one transmit transducer element and an array of receive transducer elements. Each receive transducer element is configured to receive sonar returns and form sonar return data. A sonar signal processor is configured to receive the sonar return data from each receive transducer element and generate sonar image data. The sonar return data from all of the receive transducer elements may be summed and used to form a high-definition 1D (e.g., time-based) sonar image. The sonar return data from only a subgroup may be summed and used to form a lower-definition 1D sonar image. In some systems, an array of series-connected transmit transducer elements can be used. The orientation of the emitting faces of the array may vary slightly to mimic a curved surface for increased beam coverage.

Abstract: Trolling motor assemblies and related methods of operation. A method includes providing an assembly comprising a main housing; a shaft rotatably coupled with the main housing, the shaft having a longitudinal axis; a gear coupled with the shaft; a plate rotatably coupled with one of the shaft and the main housing; and a projecting rib coupled with the other of the shaft and the main housing. The plate is rotated through a first angular displacement about the longitudinal axis. The gear is rotated through a second angular displacement about the longitudinal axis that is greater than the first angular displacement.

Abstract: A marine electronic system is provided including a transducer housing including a first transducer element configured transmit one or more first sonar signals into a body of water and a second transducer element configured to transmit one or more second sonar signals into the body of water. A length of the first transducer element is longer than a length of the second transducer element. The transducer housing also includes at least one third transducer element configured to receive first sonar returns from the first sonar signals and second sonar returns from the second sonar signals. The system includes a sonar signal processor configured to receive the first sonar returns, receive the second sonar returns, and determine sonar image data based on both the first sonar returns and second sonar returns. A transducer housing with a forward scanning portion and a downward scanning portion is also provided.

Abstract: Various implementations directed to alert zones for a marine environment. In one implementation, a marine electronics device may include a memory having a plurality of program instructions which, when executed by the sonar signal processor, cause the processor to determine one or more alert zones for a marine environment proximate to a vessel, and to receive sonar data from a transducer array disposed on the vessel, where the sonar data corresponds to the marine environment. The memory may further have program instructions which, when executed by the sonar signal processor, cause the processor to analyze the received sonar data to determine a depth line, where the depth line is a representation of one or more depths of an underwater floor of the marine environment, and to provide one or more alerts if at least a portion of the depth line is positioned within the one or more alert zones.

Abstract: A marine electronic device is provided including a user interface, a processor, and a memory having computer program code stored thereon. The memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the processor, cause the marine electronic device to receive a first user input defining a minimum water depth value for a route on a body of water, receive a second user input defining a maximum water depth value for the route, cause a chart to be displayed on the user interface, receive a third user input directed to the chart defining an ending point, and generate a continuous route from a starting location to an ending location corresponding to the ending point based on the maximum water depth value and the minimum water depth value.

Abstract: A trolling motor is provided including a position sensor configured to determine the direction of the trolling motor housing, a digital display, a processor, and a memory including computer program code. The computer program code is configured to, when executed, cause the processor to receive position data from the position sensor, generate display data based on the position data, and cause the display data to be displayed on the digital display. The digital display is integrated with the main housing and configured to display the display data so as to provide an indication of the current direction of the trolling motor housing relative to the watercraft.

Abstract: A wading staff is provided herein that is configured to provide stability for an angler that is standing in a body of water. The wading staff includes a staff portion defining a first end and a second end, a handle disposed proximate the first end of the staff portion, and a sonar transducer disposed at least partially within the staff portion. The sonar transducer is configured to transmit a sonar beam into an underwater environment. The sonar transducer is positioned and oriented within the staff portion such that the sonar transducer is configured to transmit the sonar beam into a portion of the underwater environment when the staff is at least partially submerged. A display may be mounted to the wading staff or located remotely to display corresponding sonar images.

Abstract: A trolling motor assembly is provided for attachment to a watercraft. The trolling motor assembly includes a steering assembly having a stepper motor with motor current feedback to prevent stall of the stepper motor during steering of the trolling motor. The stepper motor, which rotates the shaft to which the primary trolling motor is coupled to change the direction of thrust in accordance with a steering command, is dynamically controlled utilizing motor current feedback to change the speed of the stepper motor to adapt to the load conditions on the steering assembly. The feedback control can enable operation of the stepper motor at increased RPMs under relatively low load conditions, while preventing stalls by adjusting the drive signal to decrease the speed of the stepper motor in response to increased loads.