Abstract: A method for maneuvering a marine vessel includes receiving an input signal from an analog user input device and comparing a magnitude of the input signal to a predetermined threshold. In response to the magnitude of the input signal being less than the predetermined threshold, the method includes actuating a first marine propulsion device to produce thrust. In response to the magnitude of the input signal being greater than or equal to the predetermined threshold, the method includes actuating the first marine propulsion device and a second marine propulsion device to produce thrust. The second marine propulsion device does not produce thrust when the magnitude of the input signal is less than the predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A method for operating a propulsion device having a propulsor with a propeller, the propulsion device having a base coupled to a marine vessel and being configured to propel the marine vessel in water. The method includes moving the propulsor from a deployed position towards a stowed position, where the propulsor is closer to the marine vessel in the stowed position than in the deployed position, and where the propulsor is configured to propel the marine vessel in the deployed position. The method further includes rotating the propeller so as to fit between sides of the base coupled to the marine vessel when the propulsor is in the stowed position.

Abstract: A propulsion system on a marine vessel includes at least one steerable propulsion device and at least one lateral thruster. A steering wheel is operable by a user to steer the at least one propulsion device. A user interface device is operable by a user to provide at least a lateral thrust command to command lateral movement and a rotational thrust command to command rotational movement of the vessel. A controller is configured to determine a difference between a steering position of the propulsion device and a centered steering position. A user interface display is controllable to indicate at least one of the steering position of the propulsion device and the difference between the steering position and the centered steering position. The controller is further configured to determine that the steering position is within a threshold range of the centered steering position prior to enabling a joystick thrust control mode.

Abstract: A method for operating a propulsion device having a propulsor with a propeller, the propulsion device having a base coupled to a marine vessel and being configured to propel the marine vessel in water. The method includes moving the propulsor from a deployed position towards a stowed position, where the propulsor is closer to the marine vessel in the stowed position than in the deployed position, and where the propulsor is configured to propel the marine vessel in the deployed position. The method further includes rotating the propeller so as to fit between sides of the base coupled to the marine vessel when the propulsor is in the stowed position.

Abstract: A method of controlling a steering system on a marine vessel includes, in response to receiving a user input to engage a quick steer mode, employing a reduced steering ratio to translate positions of a steering wheel to desired steering angles of a marine drive. A vessel speed of a marine vessel is determined and then compared to a threshold vessel speed. An output limit is determined to prevent the marine vessel from further exceeding the threshold vessel speed while the quick steer mode is engaged. The marine drive is automatically controlled based on the output limit and a steering actuator associated with the marine drive is controlled based on the reduced steering ratio.

Abstract: A propulsion device for marine vessel. A base is configured to be coupled to the marine vessel, the base having sides that extend downwardly from the marine vessel. A propulsor is pivotally coupled to the base and pivotable into and between a deployed position and a stowed position. The propulsor comprises a propeller having a hub with blades extending away therefrom. The propulsor is configured to propel the marine vessel in water when in the deployed position by rotating the propeller. An alignment device aligns the blades of the propeller between the sides of the base when the propulsor is in the stowed position.

Abstract: A method for maneuvering a marine vessel includes receiving an input signal from an analog user input device and comparing a magnitude of the input signal to a predetermined threshold. In response to the magnitude of the input signal being less than the predetermined threshold, the method includes actuating a first marine propulsion device to produce thrust. In response to the magnitude of the input signal being greater than or equal to the predetermined threshold, the method includes actuating the first marine propulsion device and a second marine propulsion device to produce thrust. The second marine propulsion device does not produce thrust when the magnitude of the input signal is less than the predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A method of controlling a steering system on a marine vessel includes, in response to receiving a user input to engage a quick steer mode, employing a reduced steering ratio to translate positions of a steering wheel to desired steering angles of a marine drive. A vessel speed of a marine vessel is determined and then compared to a threshold vessel speed. An output limit is determined to prevent the marine vessel from further exceeding the threshold vessel speed while the quick steer mode is engaged. The marine drive is automatically controlled based on the output limit and a steering actuator associated with the marine drive is controlled based on the reduced steering ratio.

Abstract: A marine propulsion system includes an engine-powered propulsion device coupled in torque-transmitting relationship with an engine. A non-engine-powered propulsion device is coupled to a source of electric or hydraulic power. A control module is provided in signal communication with the engine-powered propulsion device and the non-engine-powered propulsion device. A user-operated input device is in signal communication with the control module. The marine propulsion system operates in a non-engine-powered propulsion mode in response to the control module determining the following: the engine was previously running; a speed of the engine is below an engine-stopped speed threshold; the marine propulsion system is on; and a request for movement of the vessel has been input via the user-operated input device.

Abstract: A propulsion device for marine vessel. A base is configured to be coupled to the marine vessel, the base having sides that extend downwardly from the marine vessel. A propulsor is pivotally coupled to the base and pivotable into and between a deployed position and a stowed position. The propulsor comprises a propeller having a hub with blades extending away therefrom. The propulsor is configured to propel the marine vessel in water when in the deployed position by rotating the propeller. An alignment device aligns the blades of the propeller between the sides of the base when the propulsor is in the stowed position.

Abstract: A method for controlling marine vessel speed includes determining a setpoint vessel speed, which is constant while the system is operating in a cruise control mode. The method includes using vessel speed feedback control to adjust operational characteristics of the engine so as to achieve the setpoint vessel speed. The method also includes determining a measured vessel speed and filtering the measured vessel speed. In response to determining that the measured vessel speed is within a given range of the constant setpoint vessel speed, the method includes transitioning to the cruise control mode and comparing the filtered measured vessel speed to the constant setpoint vessel speed for purposes of the feedback control.

Abstract: A propulsion system on a marine vessel includes at least one steerable propulsion device and at least one lateral thruster. A steering wheel is mechanically connected to and operable by a user to steer the at least one propulsion device. A user interface device is operable by a user to provide at least a lateral thrust command to command lateral movement and a rotational thrust command to command rotational movement of the vessel. A controller is configured to determine a difference between a steering position of the propulsion device and a centered steering position. A user interface display is controllable to indicate at least one of the steering position of the propulsion device and the difference between the steering position and the centered steering position. The controller is further configured to determine that the steering position is within a threshold range of the centered steering position.

Abstract: A method for maneuvering a marine vessel includes receiving an input signal from an analog user input device and comparing a magnitude of the input signal to a predetermined threshold. In response to the magnitude of the input signal being less than the predetermined threshold, the method includes actuating a first marine propulsion device to produce thrust. In response to the magnitude of the input signal being greater than or equal to the predetermined threshold, the method includes actuating the first marine propulsion device and a second marine propulsion device to produce thrust. The second marine propulsion device does not produce thrust when the magnitude of the input signal is less than the predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A method for controlling marine vessel speed includes determining a setpoint vessel speed, which is constant while the system is operating in a cruise control mode. The method includes using vessel speed feedback control to adjust operational characteristics of the engine so as to achieve the setpoint vessel speed. The method also includes determining a measured vessel speed and filtering the measured vessel speed. In response to determining that the measured vessel speed is within a given range of the constant setpoint vessel speed, the method includes transitioning to the cruise control mode and comparing the filtered measured vessel speed to the constant setpoint vessel speed for purposes of the feedback control.

Abstract: A drive-by-wire control system for steering a propulsion device on a marine vessel includes a steering wheel that is manually rotatable and a steering actuator that causes the propulsion device to steer based upon rotation of the steering wheel. The system further includes a resistance device that applies a resistance force against rotation of the steering wheel, and a controller that controls the resistance device to vary the resistance force based on at least one sensed condition of the system.

Abstract: A marine propulsion system includes an engine-powered propulsion device coupled in torque-transmitting relationship with an engine. A non-engine-powered propulsion device is coupled to a source of electric or hydraulic power. A control module is provided in signal communication with the engine-powered propulsion device and the non-engine-powered propulsion device. A user-operated input device is in signal communication with the control module. The marine propulsion system operates in a non-engine-powered propulsion mode in response to the control module determining the following: the engine was previously running; a speed of the engine is below an engine-stopped speed threshold; the marine propulsion system is on; and a request for movement of the vessel has been input via the user-operated input device.

Abstract: A system for a marine vessel operating in a body of water includes a trimmable marine device coupled to and movable with respect to the vessel and an actuator that raises and lowers the marine device. A control module is in signal communication with the actuator. A GPS receiver determines a current and/or predicted global position of the vessel, and a processor accesses a memory storing bathymetry data and retrieves a water depth corresponding to the vessel's current and/or predicted global position. The control module compares the water depth to a depth of the marine device based on the marine device's current position. The actuator raises the marine device in response to the control module determining that the water depth is not enough to accommodate the depth of the marine device at the current position without potential collision between the marine device and the body of water's bottom.

Abstract: A method for steering a marine vessel powered by a marine engine and having a steerable marine device includes initiating a docking mode, and in response to initiation of the docking mode, reducing a steering ratio between input signals corresponding to steered positions of a steering wheel and output signals corresponding to desired steering angles of the marine device, such that the steering ratio is less than the steering ratio would otherwise be were the vessel in a non-docking mode. Input signals are accepted from the steering wheel, and output signals are generated based on the input signals and the reduced steering ratio. The output signals are sent to a steering actuator coupled to the marine device, which controls a position of the marine device to the desired steering angles.

Abstract: A method of operating a steer-by-wire steering system on a marine vessel includes receiving an initial component position of a steerable component and receiving an initial wheel position of a manually rotatable steering wheel with respect to a zero position. An initial normalized steering value is then calculated based on the initial component position, and the initial normalized steering value is correlated to the initial wheel position. The correlation between a subsequently received wheel position and a subsequently calculated normalized steering value is then adjusted by a recovery gain until the steering wheel reaches an aligned position with the steerable component.

Abstract: A system for a marine vessel operating in a body of water includes a trimmable marine device coupled to and movable with respect to the vessel and an actuator that raises and lowers the marine device. A control module is in signal communication with the actuator. A GPS receiver determines a current and/or predicted global position of the vessel, and a processor accesses a memory storing bathymetry data and retrieves a water depth corresponding to the vessel's current and/or predicted global position. The control module compares the water depth to a depth of the marine device based on the marine device's current position. The actuator raises the marine device in response to the control module determining that the water depth is not enough to accommodate the depth of the marine device at the current position without potential collision between the marine device and the body of water's bottom.