Abstract: An improved trim tab actuator for a marine propulsion device wherein steering sharpness is improved by providing a pivotally supported trim tab that is steered in response to sensed steering conditions for achieving steering sharpness. In the illustrated embodiment, the steering input force and the steered angle of the outboard drive are measured steered conditions which determine the trim tab position. In addition, certain watercraft conditions such as speed and trim are further measured and determine the optimum trim tab position.

Abstract: A boat stabilizer is disclosed for substantially eliminating "porpoising" or up and down movement of the bow portion of a boat as the boat is moving through the water. The stabilizer includes a wedge-shaped member formed on an adjustably mounted trim tab located on the underside of an anti-cavitation plate of an outboard motor. The wedge-shaped member has a downwardly inclined lower surface extending generally laterally from and perpendicularly to a fin-shaped member of the trim tab. Movement of the boat through the water imparts a force against the downwardly inclined surface to effect a generally vertical torque on the boat substantially eliminating porpoising of the boat in a given speed range. The force imparted against the downwardly inclined surface is proportional to the angle of attack of the downwardly inclined surface so that upward displacement of the bow of the boat moving through the water is opposed by a proportionately greater force on the downwardly inclined surface.

Abstract: An outboard motor embodying an improved throttle and trim tab control mechanism. A trim tab is pivotally supported by the outboard motor for assisting in its steering operation. The trim tab is operated by means of a pair of flexible transmitters that are affixed, at their upper ends, to extend in a generally longitudinal direction and which are operated from a drum by means of a lost motion connection that is operative in response to movement of the steering lever relative to the outboard motor. The steering lever is further supported for rotation and is operatively connected to the engine throttle for controlling its throttle in response to rotation of the control lever.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a marine propulsion device for a boat hull having a transom, which device comprises a steering post having a longitudinal axis and adapted to be connected to the boat transom for rotation about the longitudinal axis, a propulsion assembly including a rotatably mounted propelling element, and linkage connecting the propulsion assembly and the steering post for common pivotal movement about the longitudinal axis and for movement of the propulsion assembly relative to the steering post between a running position and a second position elevated from the running position and against steering movement of the propulsion unit assembly relative to the steering post.

Abstract: A rudder is disclosed for an electric trolling motor in which the rudder is mounted on the shaft thereof above the propeller and in proximity thereto; the rudder comprises a flat portion and at least one minor portion outwardly curved for positioning around a section of the shaft of the electric trolling motor.

Abstract: A marine propulsion device comprising a propulsion unit pivotable about a first steering axis to steer a marine vehicle, a trim tab mounted on the propulsion unit and pivotable about a second steering axis for assisting in steering the vehicle, and a hydraulic sensing arrangement for sensing torque on the propulsion unit relative to the first steering axis to pivot the trim tab in response to the torque.

Abstract: An upstanding panel-like body is provided including top, bottom and front and rear margins and opposite side surfaces extending between those margins. The opposite side surfaces are generally vertically straight and parallel. The front and rear margins are transversely elliptically rounded and the opposite sides of the convexly rounded front margin merge rearwardly into first generally constant radius of curvature laterally outwardly convex forward opposite side partial cylindrical surfaces which in turn merge rearwardly into second generally constant radius of curvature and laterally outwardly concave mid-length opposite side surfaces merging rearwardly into third generally constant radius of curvature laterally outwardly convex rear opposite side partial cylindrical surfaces joined at their rear portions by the convexly rounded rear margin of the body.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a marine propulsion device for a boat hull having a transom, which device comprises a steering post having a longitudinal axis and adapted to be connected to the boat transom for rotation about the longitudinal axis, a propulsion assembly including a rotatably mounted propelling element, and linkage connecting the propulsion assembly and the steering post for common pivotal movement about the longitudinal axis and for movement of the propulsion assembly relative to the steering post between a running position and a second position elevated from the running position and against steering movement of the propulsion unit assembly relative to the steering post.

Abstract: A safety shroud for attachment to the rear surface of the transom of an unmodified boat hull equipped with an inboard engine and a propeller tube and shaft rigidly fixed to the engine and extending with clearance through an enlarged opening in the transom, and a propeller on the shaft; the shroud being longitudinally and transversely downward concave to overlie the top and partly enclose the sides of the propeller, the shroud in longitudinal section being upwardly and rearwardly curved from the forward bottom edge of the shroud to just ahead of the propeller zone and then extending straight rearwardly. The lateral edges of the shroud extend generally upwardly and rearwardly from the forward bottom edge of the shroud to merge with the top rear edge thereof. Preferably the shroud is composed of inner and outer interconnected plastic shells, the outer shell having a downward concave reinforcing strut, closed at its bottom by the inner shell, and having a metal rudder support shaft therein.

Abstract: This invention provides a marine propulsion device comprising a propulsion unit, a transom bracket adapted to be fixedly connected to a boat transom and a swivel bracket mounted on the transom bracket for pivotal movement about an axis which is horizontal when the transom bracket is boat mounted. The marine propulsion device also includes a king pin assembly mounted on the swivel bracket for pivotal steering movement of the propulsion unit and a mounting mechanism for mounting the propulsion unit on the king pin assembly and permitting limited rotational movement of the propulsion unit relative to the king pin assembly. The marine propulsion device also includes a trim tab mounted on the propulsion unit for pivotal movement about an axis transverse to the horizontal axis, and a linkage mechanism for displacing the trim tab about the transverse axis in response to rotational movement of the propulsion unit relative to the king pin assembly.

Abstract: A conventional bicycle has its frame rigidly supported by a base framework held by adjustable length outrigger arms, whose outer ends are connected with bearings mounted on two spaced floats. The rear bicycle traction wheel frictionally engages and drives a propulsion wheel connected through gearing with a propeller. A tubular arm pivoted at its forward end to the base framework extends rearwardly beneath the bicycle traction wheel and supports the propulsion wheel, gearing and propeller. A pivoted rudder on the rear end of tubular arm is operated by cables extending through such arm and leading to the axle of the front steering wheel of the bicycle. The device possesses windsurfing and rowing capabilities.

Abstract: An improved vane steering system for marine drives has the steering vane mounted in the skeg of the propulsion unit. With such a mounting location, the steering vane is submerged in the water in all driving positions of the propulsion unit.

Abstract: A steering system (15) for a boat (16) includes a dampening apparatus (130) providing a fluid filled piston assembly (131) having a cylindrically shaped fluid containing housing (132) pivotally connected to a drive unit (18) and a piston head (137) and attached piston rod (137) pivotally connected to a vane control member (27) attached to a control vane (22). The piston head (137) provides a metering orifice (140) to control the flow of fluid between spaced fluid containing chambers (141, 142) to restrain rapid rotation of the vane (22) while within the slip stream (34) of the steerable drive (18) to control the rotative position of the steerable drive (18).

Abstract: A unitary assembly (10) for mounting a surface propeller (52) on the transom (T) of a boat hull (H). The assembly comprises a plate (12) for attachment to the hull (H); a prop shaft support (16) fixed to the plate (12) for juxtaposition against the transom (T); and, a rudder support arm (20) fixed to the plate (12) and extending rearwardly therefrom above and in spaced relationship to the shaft support (16). As a result of its unitary construction, the assembly provides for ready attachment of a surface prop to a hull without major hull modification or the necessity of aligning separate shaft bearing supports and rudder elements. In its preferred embodiment, the assembly also includes a propeller hood supported by the arm and a spray deflector at the aft end of the hood.

Abstract: A steering system (15) for a boat (16) provides a loss motion connector (85) having a cavity (87) to rotatably retain a selectively movable input member (79). The cavity (87) includes a pair of spaced side walls (92, 93) forming stops which are rotatable in response to the movement of the input member (79). The input member (79) is connected through a pin (97) located within the cavity (87) to an inter-connecting cable (36) to rotate a pivotal vane (22) located within the slip stream (34) of a drive unit (18) to control the direction of boat movement in response to the movement of the input member (79) when spaced from the stops (92, 93) without imparting a rotative steering force to a steering arm (82).

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a marine propulsion device comprising a power head including an internal combustion engine having a vertical crankshaft with a lower end having fixed thereon a bevel gear, a lower unit including a rotatably mounted propeller shaft carrying thereon a propeller, a horizontal cross shaft journaled in the lower unit and in the power head for pivotally connecting the lower unit to the power head for vertical tilting movement about a horizontal tilt axis, a transfer gear fixed to the cross shaft and in mesh with the bevel gear, a drive shaft extending in the lower unit and drivingly connected to the propeller shaft and to the cross shaft, a reversing transmission operably connected between the cross shaft and the drive shaft, a rudder pivotally mounted on the lower unit aft of the propeller, and mechanism on the lower unit for pivoting the rudder.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a marine propulsion device comprising a lower unit, a swivel bracket on the lower unit adapted for connecting the lower unit to the transom of a boat for steering movement about a steering axis, a steering control on the lower unit adapted for steerably displacing the lower unit about the steering axis relative to a fore and aft position, a trim tab mounted on the lower unit rearwardly of the steering axis for pivotal movement relative to a position aligned fore and aft with the lower unit, and a linkage connected to the trim tab and responsive to pivotal steering displacement of the lower unit for pivotally displacing the trim tab relative to the lower unit in the same pivotal direction as steering displacement of the lower unit.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an outboard motor comprising a propulsion unit including a rotatably mounted propeller, structure adapted to be fixedly connected to a boat transom and connected to the propulsion unit for mounting of the propulsion unit for pivotal movement about an axis which is horizontal when the mounting structure is boat mounted, a trim tab mounted on the propulsion unit for pivotal movement about an axis transverse to the horizontal axis, and a linkage for displacing the trim tab about the transverse axis in response to movement of the propulsion unit about the horizontal axis.

Abstract: A marine drive has a high aspect ratio, counterbalanced vane on the propulsion unit for generating hydrodynamic torque when rotated. Control cables fastened to a bar on the vane post extend to the rear end of a lever mounted on the steering arm of the marine drive. The forward end of the lever receives the control rod of the boat steering mechanism. Movement of the control rod moves the lever, pulling one or the other control cable and rotating the vane. The lever is so mounted on the steering arm that movements of the control rod are magnified in operating the control cables. Vane rotation may be used to counteract propeller torque components causing course deviations to the boat and to provide torque for turning the marine drive.

Abstract: A power steering system for outboard motors or inboard/outboard units for boats having a pivoted motor assembly so that by pivotation of the assembly the boat is steered, the system including a control rudder mounted aft of the motor assembly propeller, a steering member which is laterally displaced adjacent the motor assembly to steer the boat, a control rudder steering linkage extending from the control rudder to the steering member so that when the steering member is laterally displaced the control rudder is displaced to apply torque to the motor assembly to rotate it and thereby apply steering force to the motor assembly, a lockable slip between the steering member and the motor assembly which, in the locked condition, the steering member is secured to the motor and in the unlocked condition a preselected amount of slip is provided between the steering member and the motor assembly, apparatus for detecting the speed of the boat forward movement connected to actuate the lockable slip to lock the steering m

Abstract: A propeller that can be steered to the left or the right of the center line of a boat's keel in order to increase the steerability of a boat or craft driven by a conventional straight line drive inboard mounted engine.

Abstract: The invention relates to the provision of an easily operated maneuvering device for sailing boats, which gives the boat in question a maximum of maneuverability also at low travelling speeds and without causing any flow resistance worth mentioning in connection with higher speeds. The device essentially comprises a rudder positioned in the stern of the boat and exhibiting a propulsion apparatus, the power direction of which coincides with the vertical symmetrical plane of the rudder.