Abstract: An improved boat steering apparatus for an outboard or inboard-outboard type boat wherein a propeller assembly is turned about a vertical axis to steer the boat, comprising a slide tube having a horizontal opening, the slide tube being attached to the propeller assembly for applying steering force to the assembly and having a slot therein; a link arm having one end thereof slidably received in the opening in the slide tube, the other end being attached to a boat steering device, such as a steering wheel, whereby the arm is displaced axially in a horizontal plane for steering the boat; a fin supported about a vertical shaft in the propeller slip stream; a horizontal disc affixed to the fin shaft upper end; a pin affixed to the link arm and extending through the slot in the slide tube; and first and second cables, each having one end affixed to the pin and extending in opposed horizontal planes perpendicular to the pin, the other ends of the cable being attached opposite each other on the peripheral surface of

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 system for utilizing a power assit for rotating a boat motor about a vertical axis near the stern of the boat. The power assist is provided by a small rudder mounted along the center line of the motor and positioned in a vertical plane through the axis of the propeller and aft of the propeller in the slip stream. Means are provided to operate the small rudder by the apparatus that controls the rotation of the motor, the rotation of the rudder being effected prior to applying torque to rotate the motor assembly. In operating the turning control for rotating the motor assembly, there is a slack condition whereby the first movement of the control rotates the small rudder into a position whereby the moving slip stream from the propeller exerts a torque tending to rotate the motor assembly in the desired direction. If the torque is insufficient to rotate the motor, movement of the control in a continuing direction applies a torque to directly rotate the motor assembly.