Abstract: A steering system for a small boat can include an outboard motor mounted to a hull, a steering wheel operated by a boat operator for steering the boat, a steering angle sensor for detecting a steering angle of the steering wheel, a steering device for moving the outboard motor relative to the hull in response to the steering angle of the steering wheel, and a controller for determining a target steering angle to be achieved by the steering device using the steering angle and steering characteristics. The steering characteristics are determined in response to running conditions.

Abstract: A boat has a propulsion unit and a steering system. The steering system includes a steering device actuated by an electric actuator. A steering wheel operated by an operator is electrically connected to the actuator. Detectors collect data regarding one or more of operation status of the steering wheel, running status of the boat, status of the propulsion unit(s), status of the electric actuator, and the like. Based upon such collected data, a current for powering the electric actuator may be selectively increased to provide increased torque to ensure excellent steering response even in changing.

Abstract: A swivel bracket of an outboard motor pivots about an axis of a tilt shaft disposed at a front end of the bracket unit and extending horizontally in a vertical plane to adjust a tilt angle and a trim angle of the outboard motor. A steering system for the outboard motor includes a pivotal gear attached to the swivel shaft, a drive mechanism driving the pivotal gear, and an electric motor providing drive force to the drive mechanism. Preferably these steering system components are positioned between the swivel bracket and an engine cowling of the outboard motor.

Abstract: A watercraft steering device can include at least one of steerage status detection device configured to detect a steerage status following an operation of the steering wheel, running status detecting device configured to detect a running status of the watercraft, watercraft propulsion unit status recognition device configured to recognize a status of an outboard motor such as an installation number thereof, and electric motor status detection device configured to detect a status of an electric motor, and can further include a lower unit turning force characteristic computation device configured to compute a lower unit turning force characteristic based on a detection value from at least one of the device, and an ECU configured to control at least one of a reaction force to the steering wheel, a limit lower unit turning angle, and a propulsive force based on a computed lower unit turning force characteristic and/or selecting the electric actuator to operate.

Abstract: A watercraft can have an electric motor mounted on a screw bar extending in a right/left direction. The electric motor can move along the screw bar in the right/left direction to steer an outboard motor, or another part of a different marine propulsion system. One or more springs can be provided at the ends of the screw bar. When the outboard motor whose steered angle exists in a predetermined angle range including the maximum steered angle is steered back to a neutral position, either one of the springs presses the electric motor toward the center of the screw bar to assist the steering torque of the electric motor.

Abstract: A boat has a propulsion unit and a steering system. The steering system includes a steering device actuated by an electric actuator. A steering wheel operated by an operator is electrically connected to the actuator. Detectors collect data regarding one or more of operation status of the steering wheel, running status of the boat, status of the propulsion unit, status of the electric actuator, and the like. In certain situations, the electric actuator may not be capable of providing a quick steering response. A controller weighs detected data to identify such situations and controls a propulsive force of the propulsion unit so as to restrain the propulsive force if necessary to maintain good steering response.

Abstract: A steering wheel, operable by an operator, can be electrically connected to an electric motor to provide an actuation signal corresponding to the amount of a steering wheel operation to the electric motor, a reaction motor for applying a reaction to the steering wheel, and an ECU for controlling the electric motor are provided. The ECU can include at least one of an operation status detection device for detecting an operation status corresponding to the steering wheel operation, a running status detection device for detecting a running status of the watercraft, an outboard motor status recognition device for recognizing a status of the outboard motor, such as the installation number thereof, and an electric motor status detection device for detecting a status of the electric motor.

Abstract: A boat steering system provides an operator with excellent efficiency and an excellent operation feel during direction guide member deflection by considering and making adjustments based on a running status of the boat. An ECU controls a direction guide member deflection angle limit. The ECU includes and/lor communicates with detectors and the like for detecting one or more of an operation status corresponding to a steering wheel operation, a running status of the boat, recognizing a status of an outboard motor, and detecting a status of an electric motor that roates an outboard motor. The ECU also controls a direction guide member deflection angle limit based on one or more of the detection values.

Abstract: An outboard motor is provided on a hull and a steering system is connected electrically to the outboard motor and adapted to steer the hull by rotating the outboard motor. Steering motors are provided to the outboard motor. A control unit has a motor selector for choosing which of the steering motors is used to steer the outboard motor. The control unit stores motor characteristic data about the steering motors and correction data based on factors that change characteristics of the steering motors. The motor selector compares a detection signal of a steering torque detector of a boat with the motor characteristic data and the correction data in order to select at least one of the steering motors to be operated.

Abstract: A rudder control device for a boat can include a handle position sensor for detecting an operation angle of a handle. An engine control unit can be provided for receiving a detection signal from the handle position sensor. A motor can be provided for receiving a control signal from the engine control unit to drive a steering member to a predetermined rotation angle corresponding to the operation angle. The engine control unit can receive a signal from a speed sensor for detecting a boat speed to control an upper limit of the rotation angle to be smaller when the boat speed is higher than a predetermined value than when not.

Abstract: A load variation amount can be derived from an output of a load sensor for detecting an external force acting on a watercraft. A computation can be performed whether or not the load variation amount is larger than a reference value calculated based on the load sensor output, a running state, and a navigation velocity. The width and the magnitude of a pulse are determined based on the load sensor output, the running state, and the navigation velocity, and the pulse is applied to a steering as reaction torque.

Abstract: A swivel bracket can be attached to a transom plate of a watercraft by means of a clamp bracket. A steering bracket can be rotationally provided in a swivel shaft of the swivel bracket. An outboard motor body can be secured to the steering bracket. An electric motor can be housed in the outboard motor and engaged with a stationary gear secured to the swivel bracket by way of a reduction gear. Driven by the electric motor, the steering bracket turns relative to the swivel bracket, causing the outboard motor body to turn.

Abstract: A small boat has multiple propulsion units. A toe angle of the multiple propulsion units can be altered while the boat is under way. The toe angle can be adjusted to improve performance in any of a number of areas, including top speed, acceleration, fuel economy, and maneuverability, at the demand of the operator.

Abstract: A steering device can include a steering wheel, connecting members for connecting outboard motors together, and a plurality of steering motors for steering a plurality of outboard motors. A target steering angle setting device can be configured to obtain a steering angle according to a steering displacement of the steering wheel, and steering unit angle sensor can be configured to detect actual steering unit angles of the respective outboard motors. A correcting device can be configured to obtain the difference between actual steering unit angles of the outboard motors, to correct the target steering angles so that the difference becomes, and to obtain a target steering angle of each of the outboard motors. Motor controlling device can be configured to control the steering motors so that a target steering angle agrees with the actual steering unit angle for each of the outboard motors.

Abstract: A control unit for controlling multiple propulsion units can include plural propulsion units mounted at the stern of the boat to generate thrust. A control unit can be used to control the driving of each propulsion unit, and a target speed setting device can be used to establish a target speed of the boat, in which the control unit controls the driving of each propulsion unit according to the preset driving pattern to attain the target speed.

Abstract: A small boat comprises a steering wheel and a steering angle sensor that detects a steering angle of the steering wheel. A plurality of propulsion units are mounted to a transom of the boat. Electrically operable steering devices are coupled with the respective propulsion units. A control unit controls an output of each of the propulsion units. The controller adjusts the output, a trim angle or a height of a propeller of the propulsion units in accordance with the steering angle and a running condition of the boat to control a total thrust and a total running direction of the respective propulsion units.

Abstract: A steering system for a small boat can include an outboard motor mounted to a hull, a steering wheel operated by a boat operator for steering the boat, a steering angle sensor for detecting a steering angle of the steering wheel, a steering device for moving the outboard motor relative to the hull in response to the steering angle of the steering wheel, and a controller for determining a target steering angle to be achieved by the steering device using the steering angle and steering characteristics. The steering characteristics are determined in response to running conditions.

Abstract: A steering method for a boat with a marine propulsion unit at the stern is provided in which a reaction torque is applied to a steering wheel in response to external force to the boat. The steering method includes: detecting a steering angle and the behavior of the boat; determining whether or not the turning of the steering wheel is in an initial phase based on the detected steering angle and the behavior of the boat; and applying the reaction torque to the steering wheel in response to the determination.

Abstract: An action control device for a small boat can include a running condition detecting device, a running environment determining device configured to determine a running environment based upon the running condition, and a steering control device configured to set a steering handle operative characteristic in response to the running environment.

Abstract: A steering system for a boat can include a main switch for turning power on and off, an emergency stop switch for stopping an engine, a steering wheel for operation by an operator, a steering wheel displacement sensor for detecting the operator's displacement of the steering wheel, a rudder device with an electric actuator for providing a force to move a rudder about a rotational shaft according to the detected steering wheel displacement, and a controller for outputting a signal to drive the electric actuator according to the detected steering wheel displacement. The controller can drive the electric actuator of the rudder device to return the rudder to its center position when the engine is stopped by the main switch or an auxiliary stop switch.