Abstract: A system for steering marine propulsion devices. Steering actuators are configured to change steering angles of the marine propulsion devices. A control system is operatively connected to the steering actuators. The control system is configured to receive a steering request for steering a first device among the marine propulsion devices, compare a steering angle of the first device to a steering angle of a second device among the marine propulsion devices, and control the steering actuators to steer the first device only when the steering angle of the first device is within a threshold range of the steering angle of the second device.

Abstract: A method of controlling a marine drive on a marine vessel includes receiving a trim position instruction to adjust a trim position of the marine drive, receiving a steering position of the marine drive, determining an allowable steering angle range based on the trim position instruction and/or the adjusted trim position of the marine drive, and controlling a trim actuator to adjust the trim position of the marine drive based on the trim position instruction, the steering position, and the allowable steering angle range such that the steering position of the marine drive remains within the allowable steering angle range for the adjusted trim position.

Abstract: A steering system for marine propulsion devices having a steering device and steering actuators configured to change steering angles of the marine propulsion devices. A control system is operatively connected to the steering actuators and operatively connected to the steering device to receive steering requests from the steering device. The control system is configured to receive a request to activate the steering for a first device among the marine propulsion devices. The control system is further configured to change the steering angle of the first device according to a steering request when the steering request is received after receiving the request to activate the steering for the first device and to leave the steering angle for the first device unchanged when the steering request is received before receiving the request to activate the steering for the first device.

Abstract: A method of controlling a plurality of marine drives on a marine vessel includes detecting that at least one of the plurality of marine drives and that at least one of the plurality of marine drives is not running, and then determining, based on the trim position of each of the at least one non-running marine drives, that at least one non-running marine drive is trimmed down. If so, an output limit restriction is effectuated for each of the at least one running marine drive and an alert is generated to advise an operator of the output limit restriction.

Abstract: A marine propulsion system for marine vessel includes at least one battery configured to power a vessel load, a plurality of marine drives, and a control system. Each of the plurality of marine drives includes an engine, an alternator driven by the engine to charge the battery, and a propulsor selectively driven by the engine to propel the marine vessel. Each of the plurality of marine drives is configured to operate in a propulsion mode in which the engine is operated to rotate the propulsor to propel the marine vessel in a generator mode in which the engine is operated to charge the battery while the marine vessel remains stationary. The control system is configured to select a subset of the plurality of marine drives and then to operate the subset of marine drives in the generator mode to charge the battery while the marine vessel remains stationary.

Abstract: A method of controlling an electric marine propulsion system configured to propel a marine vessel and powered by a power storage system includes presenting on a user interface a plurality of power mode options selectable by a user, including at least a reduced power and an emergency power mode. Upon selection of the reduced power mode by the user, at least one auxiliary devices utilizing power from the power storage system is automatically turned off and the propulsion system is controlled so as not to exceed a first speed limit. Upon selection of the emergency power mode by the user, the at least one auxiliary device utilizing power from the power storage system is turned off and the propulsion system is controlled so as not to exceed a second speed limit that is lower than the first speed limit.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for controlling heading of a marine vessel having a steerable component coupled thereto, the steerable component being rotatable to affect a direction of movement of the vessel. The method is carried out by a control module and includes accepting a command to initiate a control mode in which the vessel's heading is to be maintained at a desired heading. The method includes receiving a current heading of the vessel and determining a heading error between the current heading and the desired heading. The method also includes determining if the vessel is on-plane or off-plane. In response to the vessel being off-plane, the method includes controlling the steerable component to rotate by at least a predetermined correction amount away from a starting position in a direction that will cause the vessel to rotate to reduce the heading error, and subsequently to rotate back toward the starting position.

Abstract: A marine propulsion system for a marine vessel has an outboard motor including a cowl covering an internal combustion engine that powers the outboard motor and an accelerometer mounted to the outboard motor. A control module is communicatively connected to the accelerometer. The control module receives information regarding an acceleration of the outboard motor from the accelerometer. The control module uses the information regarding the acceleration of the outboard motor to do at least one of the following: determine an angle of the outboard motor with respect to gravity; determine an amount of oil in an oil sump of the outboard motor; and determine if a reading of the amount of oil in the oil sump is accurate.

Abstract: A method for aligning steering angles of marine propulsion devices. The method includes receiving a first steering request to steer the marine propulsion devices, where when the first steering request is received, steering for a first device is deactivated and steering for a second device is activated, and changing a steering angle of the second device according to the first steering request while leaving a steering angle of the first device unchanged. The method includes receiving a request to activate steering for the first device and receiving a second steering request, then changing the steering angles of both the first and second devices when the second steering request is received after receiving the request to activate steering, and changing the steering angle of the second device while leaving the steering angle for the first device unchanged when the second steering request is received before receiving the request to activate steering.

Abstract: A method of controlling an electric marine propulsion system configured to propel a marine vessel including measuring at least one parameter of an electric motor in the electric marine propulsion system and determining that the parameter measurement indicates an abnormality in the electric marine propulsion system. A reduced operation limit is then determined based on the at least one parameter measurement, wherein the reduced operation limit includes at least one of a torque limit, an RPM limit, a current limit, and a power limit. The electric motor is then controlled such that the reduced operation limit is not exceeded.

Abstract: A method for maintaining a marine vessel at a target position in a body of water, the method being carried out by a processing system and including: estimating at least one roughness condition of the body of water based on measurements related to an attitude of the marine vessel; calculating a desired linear velocity based on a difference between an actual position of the marine vessel and the target position; filtering an actual linear velocity of the marine vessel based on the roughness conditions; and operating a propulsion system of the marine vessel to move the marine vessel to minimize a difference between the desired linear velocity and the filtered actual linear velocity. A method for maintaining a marine vessel at a target heading in a body of water is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of controlling at least one marine drive on a marine vessel includes determining that a trim position sensor has failed for a first marine drive, determining an allowable steering angle range for the first marine drive based on a first assumed trim position, and determining a steering position adjustment based on the allowable steering angle range. A steering actuator is controlled to automatically adjust the steering position of the marine drive based on the steering position adjustment. A trim position adjustment is determined based on a second assumed trim position for the marine drive and a trim actuator is controlled to adjust the trim position of the first marine drive based on the trim position adjustment.

Abstract: A method for maintaining a marine vessel propelled by a marine propulsion device in a selected position includes determining a current global position of the marine vessel and receiving a signal command to maintain the current global position. The current global position is stored as a target global position in response to receiving the signal command. A subsequent global position of the marine vessel is determined and a position error difference between the subsequent global position and the target global position is determined. The method includes determining marine vessel movements required to minimize the position error difference, and causing the marine propulsion device to produce a thrust having a magnitude, a direction, and an angle calculated to result in achievement of the required marine vessel movements. At least one of timing and frequency of discontinuity of thrust production is controlled while the position error difference is minimized.

Abstract: A method of controlling a marine drive on a marine vessel includes receiving a trim position instruction to adjust a trim position of the marine drive, receiving a steering position of the marine drive, determining an allowable steering angle range based on the trim position instruction and/or the adjusted trim position of the marine drive, and controlling a trim actuator to adjust the trim position of the marine drive based on the trim position instruction, the steering position, and the allowable steering angle range such that the steering position of the marine drive remains within the allowable steering angle range for the adjusted trim position.

Abstract: A method of controlling propulsion for automated launch control includes receiving a user-selected command associated with wake surfing, accessing a predetermined RPM limit associated with the user-selected command, and automatically increasing rotational speed of a powerhead to accelerate the marine vessel to a vessel speed setpoint such that the rotational speed does not exceed the predetermined RPM limit. Once the marine vessel is traveling at the vessel speed setpoint, a cruising RPM value associated with the vessel speed setpoint is identified. A difference between the predetermined RPM limit and the cruising RPM value is determined, and then the predetermined RPM limit is adjusted to an adapted RPM limit based on the difference. The adapted RPM limit is then stored for use during a subsequent launch.

Abstract: A method for maintaining a marine vessel at a global position and/or heading includes receiving measurements related to vessel attitude and estimating water roughness conditions based on the measurements. A difference between the vessel's actual global position and the target global position and/or a difference between the vessel's actual heading and the target heading are determined. The method includes calculating a desired linear velocity based on the position difference and/or a desired rotational velocity based on the heading difference. The vessel's actual linear velocity and/or actual rotational velocity are filtered based on the roughness conditions. The method includes determining a difference between the desired linear velocity and the filtered actual linear velocity and/or a difference between the desired rotational velocity and the filtered actual rotational velocity.

Abstract: A method of controlling a marine drive on a marine vessel includes receiving a trim position instruction to adjust a trim position of the marine drive and determining an allowable steering angle range based on the trim positon instruction or adjusted trim positon of the marine drive. A trim actuator is controlled to adjust the trim position of the marine drive based on the trim position instruction and a steering actuator is controlled to automatically adjust steering positon of the marine drive to remain within the allowable steering range.

Abstract: A method of controlling a marine drive on a marine vessel includes receiving a trim position instruction to adjust a trim position of the marine drive and determining an allowable steering angle range based on the trim positon instruction or adjusted trim positon of the marine drive. A trim actuator is controlled to adjust the trim position of the marine drive based on the trim position instruction and a steering actuator is controlled to automatically adjust steering positon of the marine drive to remain within the allowable steering range.

Abstract: A marine propulsion system includes a first controller area network (CAN) bus communicatively connecting two or more devices to facilitate communication of CAN messages therebetween. The system further includes a helm controller (HCM) associated with the propulsion device and having an HCM CAN transceiver to facilitate receipt and transmission of CAN messages by the HCM on the first CAN bus. The HCM is configured to receive a silence CAN message via the first CAN bus and then determine whether the silence CAN message is directed to itself. If so, then the HCM will cease transmitting any CAN message on the first CAN bus and/or cease CAN-related diagnostics in response to the silence CAN message so as to reduce traffic on the CAN bus.

Abstract: A method for maintaining a marine vessel propelled by a marine propulsion device in a selected position includes determining a current global position of the marine vessel and receiving a signal command to maintain the current global position. The current global position is stored as a target global position in response to receiving the signal command. A subsequent global position of the marine vessel is determined and a position error difference between the subsequent global position and the target global position is determined. The method includes determining marine vessel movements required to minimize the position error difference, and causing the marine propulsion device to produce a thrust having a magnitude, a direction, and an angle calculated to result in achievement of the required marine vessel movements. At least one of timing and frequency of discontinuity of thrust production is controlled while the position error difference is minimized.