Abstract: A boat ramp occupancy indicator system having a server entity with database, a first input for receiving current weather and tidal information, a second input for receiving traffic information, and a plurality of smart phones having an end-user application operating therein. The system communicating with each one of the end-user applications operating on a smart phone. When a smart phone, operating the end-user application, is located at or near a selected boat ramp, the system sends a push notification to such user inquiring if the user is located at the boat ramp. The system determining, regardless of whether or not the user responds to the sent push notification, how busy the selected boat ramp is. The system, based upon how busy the selected boat ramp is determined to be, sending out informative notifications to other users who have designated the select boat ramp as a favorite boat ramp.

Abstract: A navigational system and method for guiding a boat onto a trailer, which comprises at least one marker mounted on the trailer; a camera located on the boat to assist the system with determining a longitudinal axis of the boat, and generating images of at least a front area of the boat and the at least one marker; an image processing unit for 1) receiving and processing the images to determine the at least one marker, 2) estimating the longitudinal axis of the trailer, 3) generating a desired boat trajectory for aligning the longitudinal axis of the boat with the longitudinal axis of the trailer; and 4) periodically generating guidance output commands to the user to assist the user with following the desired boat trajectory and facilitate loading of the boat on the trailer; and an image display for sequentially displaying the generated images of the camera to a user.

Abstract: A gearcase for a marine propulsion system has an input shaft rotatable about a central axis of rotation and an output shaft coaxially arranged with the input shaft. A clutch assembly is operable between a first clutch position and a second clutch position, wherein, when the clutch assembly is in the first clutch position, the input shaft is coupled to the output shaft for rotating the output shaft in a first rotational direction. When the clutch assembly is in the second clutch position a gear assembly operably connects the input shaft to the output shaft for rotating the output shaft in an opposite second rotational direction. The gearcase can be part of a marine propulsion system, such as an outboard motor for a mud boat. A method of transferring power in a gearcase and a marine propulsion system are also disclosed.

Abstract: A navigational system for guiding a boat onto a trailer comprising at least a portion of a tow vehicle which forms a natural marker for the navigation system. A camera is located on the boat to assist the navigational system with aligning a longitudinal axis of the boat with a longitudinal axis of the trailer. A central vertical (mid) axis of the camera is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the boat. An image processing unit receives and processes images from the camera. The image processing unit, based upon a determination of a position of the central vertical (mid) axis of the camera relative to a target area of the detected natural marker, generating guidance commands to assist a user with alignment of the longitudinal axis of the boat with the longitudinal axis of the trailer and thereby facilitate proper loading of the boat onto the trailer.