Abstract: A servo controlled trolling motor steering system provides improved speed and steering control. The system includes apparatus for mounting the motor on a boat for rotation about an axis to effect steering of the boat. A foot pedal includes a base and a foot pad pivotally mounted to the base, the foot pad being pivotal by a user to command a desired steering direction. A membrane potentiometer senses rotational position of the motor to develop an electrical signal representative of the rotational position, the signal comprising a steering feedback signal. A second membrane potentiometer senses pivotal position of the foot pad relative to the base to develop an electrical signal representative of the pivotal position, the signal comprising a steering command signal.

Abstract: An improved fishing reel of the type having a frame, a line-carrying spool carried by a shaft and mounted for rotation relative to the frame about a first axis, a crankshaft mounted for rotation relative to the frame about a second axis, a crank handle for rotating the crankshaft, and means including a drag apparatus for transmitting rotational movement of the crankshaft about the second axis into rotational movement of the spool shaft and spool about the first axis. The drag apparatus is adjusted by a drag-adjusting knob coaxially mounted on the crankshaft. The improvement resides in structure for signaling, audibly or by feel, that the drag on the spool is being changed either by increasing or decreasing the drag setting when the drag-adjusting knob is turned relative to the crankshaft.

Abstract: A servo controlled trolling motor steering system provides improved speed and steering control. The system includes apparatus for mounting the motor on a boat for rotation about an axis to effect steering of the boat. A foot pedal includes a base and a foot pad pivotally mounted to the base, the foot pad being pivotal by a user to command a desired steering direction. A membrane potentiometer senses rotational position of the motor to develop an electrical signal representative of the rotational position, the signal comprising a steering feedback signal. A second membrane potentiometer senses pivotal position of the foot pad relative to the base to develop an electrical signal representative of the pivotal position, the signal comprising a steering command signal.

Abstract: A spinning-type fishing reel is provided with a rear-actuated front drag. Concentric shafts are provided with a spool freely rotatable on one shaft. Drag members operate on the spool to provide drag to the spool. A drag knob on the rear of the reel operates on one of the shafts to shift the one shaft axially relative to the other, thereby applying pressure to the drag members and to the spool to increase the drag on the spool. In one form, the spool may be freely rotatable on a spool carrier which is keyed to one of the shafts. A spool cap attached to one of the shafts operates through the drag members to apply drag to the spool. The spool is urged against an abutment carried by the other shaft such that moving one shaft relative to the other by turning the rear-mounted drag knob either increases or decreases the drag on the spool.

Abstract: An improvement is provided in a trolling motor of the type having a propeller, a housing with axially spaced leading and trailing ends, a shaft carrying a propeller and journalled for rotation in the housing, and a drive for rotating the shaft and propeller. The housing trailing end has an annular, radially inwardly facing surface and the propeller has a hub with an annular, radially outwardly facing surface on which blades are mounted. The housing, shaft and propeller are mounted relative to each other so that the radially inwardly facing housing surface is radially outside of and in axially overlapping relationship with the radially outwardly facing propeller surface.

Abstract: The invention contemplates incorporation into a reel of the type having a rotor with an associated bail that is movable between closed and open positions and automatically returns to a closed position upon the operation of a crank handle. According to the invention, structure is provided for selectively, removably attaching a trigger and a bail supporting member so that the reel can be used with the quick-release or manual systems and readily converted between the two systems as desired by the user.

Abstract: An anti-reverse actuator for a reel of the type having a line carrying spool, a crank assembly consisting of a crank shaft and a handle operable to rotate the crank shaft about an axis, structure responsive to rotation of the crank handle in a first direction for directing line onto the spool, a pawl mounted for movement between first and second positions, structure for blocking the pawl in the first and second positions, and structure on the crank assembly for engaging the pawl in the first position so that the pawl prevents rotation of the crank handle in a second direction opposite to the first direction and for allowing the crank handle to rotate oppositely to the first direction with the pawl in the second position.

Abstract: A relocation device has a housing, a first sight tube having a viewing opening through which a user can look to sight an object substantially along a first line of sight, a second sight tube having a viewing opening through which a user can look to sight a second object substantially along a second line of sight, and structure for mounting the first and second sight tubes to the housing so that the first and second lines of sight are at a fixed acute angle with respect to each other.