Abstract: There is provided a mounting assembly for a marine vessel having a pair of stern-mounted propulsion units. The assembly includes a pair of angle-setting members which forwardly angle the propulsion units towards a bow of the marine vessel when each propulsion unit is at the center of its total steering range. Each propulsion unit has a line of action of its propulsion force. The lines of action of the propulsion units intersect each other between a center of rotation of the marine vessel and a stern of the marine vessel when the propulsion units are steered forwardly towards each other.

Abstract: There is provided a mounting assembly for a marine vessel having a pair of stern-mounted propulsion units. The assembly includes a pair of angle-setting members which forwardly angle the propulsion units towards a bow of the marine vessel when each propulsion unit is at the center of its total steering range. Each propulsion unit has a line of action of its propulsion force. The lines of action of the propulsion units intersect each other between a center of rotation of the marine vessel and a stern of the marine vessel when the propulsion units are steered forwardly towards each other.

Abstract: There is provided a mounting assembly for a marine vessel having a pair of stern-mounted propulsion units. The assembly includes a pair of angle-setting members which forwardly angle the propulsion units towards a bow of the marine vessel when each propulsion unit is at the center of its total steering range. Each propulsion unit has a line of action of its propulsion force. The lines of action of the propulsion units intersect each other between a center of rotation of the marine vessel and a stern of the marine vessel when the propulsion units are steered forwardly towards each other.

Abstract: There is provided a mounting assembly for a marine vessel having a pair of stern-mounted propulsion units. The assembly includes a moo pair of angle-setting members which forwardly angle the propulsion units towards a bow of the marine vessel when each propulsion unit is at the center of its total steering range. Each propulsion unit has a line of action of its propulsion force. The lines of action of the propulsion units intersect each other between a center of rotation of the marine vessel and a stern of the marine vessel when the propulsion units are steered forwardly towards each other.

Abstract: The invention relates to a steering apparatus for a vehicle. It includes a housing with a steering shaft having a longitudinal axis. A first bearing is interposed between the shaft and the housing, permitting rotation of the steering shaft about the axis. There is also a first wedge-shaped member that has a thin end against the first bearing and a means for biasing the first wedge-shaped member against the first bearing to take up play between the shaft and first bearing, and play within the first bearing.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing power assisted steering for a marine craft having a manually operable steering pump and a hydraulic steering actuator. A powered hydraulic pump is hydraulically connected between the manually operable pump and the actuator. Hydraulic fluid volume output of the steering pump and hydraulic fluid volume output of the powered pump are sensed. The fluid output of the steering pump is compared with the fluid output of the powered pump and the powered pump is operated so that the output of the powered pump is commensurate with output of the steering pump.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing power assisted steering for a marine craft having a manually operable steering pump and a hydraulic steering actuator. A powered hydraulic pump is hydraulically connected between the manually operable pump and the actuator. Hydraulic fluid volume output of the steering pump and hydraulic fluid volume output of the powered pump are sensed. The fluid output of the steering pump is compared with the fluid output of the powered pump and the powered pump is operated so that the output of the powered pump is commensurate with output of the steering pump.

Abstract: The invention relates to a steering apparatus for a vehicle. It includes a housing with a steering shaft having a longitudinal axis. A first bearing is interposed between the shaft and the housing, permitting rotation of the steering shaft about the axis. There is also a first wedge-shaped member that has a thin end against the first bearing and a means for biasing the first wedge-shaped member against the first bearing to take up play between the shaft and first bearing, and play within the first bearing.

Abstract: A valve includes a housing with an elongated bore having a longitudinal axis and a spool reciprocatingly mounted within the bore for relative movement along the bore parallel to the axis. The housing has a housing passageway and the spool has a spool passageway. The passageways align in at least one axial position of the spool along the bore, whereby fluids can pass between the spool and the housing. The passageway of one of the spool or the housing includes a first groove which extends parallel to the axis, but not substantially about said one of the spool or the housing. The passageway of another of the spool or the housing includes a second groove which extends circumferentially about said another of the spool or the housing.