Abstract: A method of controlling propulsion of a marine vessel includes limiting user input authority over propulsion output by at least one propulsion device based on proximity measurements so as to maintain the marine vessel at least a buffer distance from any object, where in the buffer distance is a predefined distance around the marine vessel. After a user-generated instruction is received to suspend maintenance of the buffer distance and a user control input is received to move the marine vessel in the direction of the object, the at least one propulsion device is controlled based on the user control input such that the marine vessel approaches and impacts the object.

Abstract: A device for supporting a propulsor on a marine vessel. The device includes a base that is fixable to the marine vessel and a pivot arm for coupling the propulsor to the base. An actuator is configured to pivot the pivot arm relative to the base into and between a retracted position and a deployed position. A fastener is engageable to couple the actuator to the pivot arm, where when the fastener is engaged the pivot arm is prevented from pivoting other than by the actuator, and where applying a predetermined force on the pivot arm disengages the fastener to allow the pivot arm to pivot other than by the actuator.

Abstract: A marine drive has a primary exhaust outlet on its lower gearcase that discharges a primary flow of exhaust gas from the engine to seawater in which the marine drive is situated. A secondary exhaust outlet is located on the marine drive above the primary exhaust outlet and discharges a secondary flow of exhaust gas from the engine to atmosphere around the marine drive at least when the engine is operated at an idle speed. A tertiary exhaust outlet is located on the marine drive between the primary and secondary exhaust outlets, and discharges a tertiary flow of exhaust gas from the engine to the seawater or to the atmosphere depending upon a current location of the tertiary exhaust outlet with respect to the seawater. A muffler is configured to reduce noise emanating from the tertiary exhaust outlet.

Abstract: An oil sump housing for an outboard motor of a marine vessel is provided. The oil sump housing includes an upper mounting flange including multiple upper mounting holes, a lower mounting flange including multiple lower mounting holes, and an inner housing wall and an outer housing wall extending between the upper mounting flange and the lower mounting flange. The inner housing wall defines a transmission mounting cavity, and the inner housing wall and the outer housing wall define an oil containment cavity that at least partially surrounds the transmission mounting cavity.

Abstract: A method for preserving electrical power in a marine vessel. The method includes operating a variable operating device according to an original setting, measuring an actual system voltage for the marine vessel, and comparing the actual system voltage measured to a target system voltage. The method further includes adjusting the operation of the variable operating device from the original setting based on the comparison of the actual system voltage to the target system voltage, where adjusting the operation changes the electrical power usage in the marine vessel.

Abstract: A method of proximity sensing on a marine vessel includes storing at least one zone map, wherein the zone map divides an area surrounding the marine vessel into two or more zones. Proximity measurements measured by one or more proximity sensors on the marine vessel are received, and the proximity measurements are then divided into zone sets based on a location of each proximity measurement with respect to the zone map. A closest proximity measurement in each zone set is then identified and a zone-filtered dataset is generated. The zone-filtered dataset contains only the closest proximity measurement from each zone set.

Abstract: A cowling is for a marine drive. The cowling has first and second cowl portions for enclosing a powerhead, and a latching device which is movable into a latched position in which the powerhead is enclosed by the first cowl and second cowl portions and an unlatched position in which the second cowl portion is movable with respect to the first cowl portion so that the powerhead is accessible. The latching device has an electric actuator configured to automatically move the latching device from the latched position to the unlatched position and a manually-operable input device which is accessible from outside of the cowling and is configured to actuate the electric actuator to thereby automatically move the latching device from the latched position to the unlatched position.

Abstract: A noise-vibration-harshness (NVH) dampening cover for a stern drive is configured to propel a marine vessel in water. The NVH dampening cover comprises a plurality of panels which together enclose a powerhead suspended from a transom of the marine vessel. The plurality of panels is configured to be suspended from an inner portion of a mounting assembly, the mounting assembly having an outer portion for mounting the stern drive to the transom.

Abstract: A method of controlling an adjustable exhaust system for a marine engine includes receiving a vessel location of a marine vessel having an adjustable exhaust system and identifying a desired position of the bypass valve based on the vessel location and/or a current time. If the bypass valve is not in the desired position, an instruction is generated to adjust the bypass valve to the desired position to change a noise level generated by the adjustable exhaust system.

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 stern drive for a marine vessel having a transom. The stern drive has a drive assembly comprising a drive unit configured to generate a thrust force in water and a powerhead configured to power the drive unit, and a transom bracket assembly configured to support the drive unit outside of the transom and further configured to support the powerhead inside of the transom, wherein the transom bracket assembly is configured to vibrationally isolate the drive unit and powerhead relative to the transom.

Abstract: A stern drive for a marine vessel, the stern drive having a drive assembly configured to generate a thrust force in water, a powerhead configured to power the drive assembly, and a mounting assembly configured to couple the drive assembly to the transom outside of the marine vessel and to suspend the powerhead on the transom inside of the marine vessel. The mounting assembly has a vibration dampening member which isolates vibrations of the drive assembly and the powerhead relative to the transom. The powerhead, and the mounting assembly are installed on the marine vessel as a single component from outside the transom.

Abstract: A marine drive is for propelling a marine vessel. The marine drive has a drive assembly configured to support a propulsor for generating a thrust force in water, the drive assembly comprising a driveshaft housing and a gearcase suspended from the driveshaft housing, wherein the drive assembly is trimmable relative to the marine vessel about a trim joint, a steering actuator configured to steer the gearcase relative to the driveshaft housing, and a pump configured to pump a hydraulic fluid to and/or from the steering actuator via the trim joint.

Abstract: A stern drive for a marine vessel, the stern drive having a powerhead, a drive assembly configured to support a propulsor for generating a thrust force in water, the propulsor being powered by the powerhead. The drive assembly comprises a driveshaft housing and a gearcase suspended from the driveshaft housing, the gearcase being steerable relative to the driveshaft housing, and a steering actuator configured to steer the gearcase relative to the driveshaft housing.

Abstract: An electric marine propulsion system configured to propel a marine vessel includes a power storage system comprising a plurality of batteries and at least one electric motor powered by the power storage system and configured to rotate a propulsor to propel the marine vessel. A control system is configured to identify a charge level for each of the plurality of batteries and determine which of the plurality of batteries are active batteries based at least in part on the charge level on each of the plurality of batteries. A minimum power limit is then identified for the active batteries and a system power limit is determined based on the minimum power limit and the number of active batteries. The at least one electric motor is then controlled based on the system power limit such that the system power limit is not exceeded.

Abstract: A seating system for installation on a marine vessel includes a base to be connected to a deck of the marine vessel and a pedestal to be removably installed in an upright position on or in the base. The base includes a built-in first electrical connector to be electrically connected to a power source on the marine vessel. The pedestal includes a second electrical connector designed to mate with the first electrical connector in the base. A base for the seating system and a pedestal for the seating system are also disclosed.

Abstract: A marine battery charger cable extender includes a terminal end that has a positive extender ring terminal and a negative extender ring terminal, and a connection end configured to connect to a terminal end of a pre-wired battery charger. The connection end includes a positive ring end, a positive ring connector configured to hold the positive ring end and galvanic connection with a positive ring terminal of the pre-wired battery charger, and a positive connection cover configured to completely encapsulate the connected positive ring end of the cable extender and the positive ring terminal of the pre-wired battery charger.