Abstract: A method includes accepting inputs to a marine vessel's control module, the inputs defining first and second waypoints and a desired heading, and defining a desired track between the first and second waypoints. Ideal steering and thrust commands required to orient the vessel at the desired heading and to maneuver the vessel from the first to the second waypoint are generated and carried out. The method includes measuring a current position and heading of the vessel; calculating a cross-track error based on the current position as compared to the desired track; and calculating a heading error based on the current heading as compared to the desired heading. The method includes generating corrective steering and thrust commands that are required to minimize the cross-track error and the heading error. The propulsion system propels the marine vessel according to the corrective steering and thrust commands, as appropriate.

Abstract: A method for controlling acceleration of a marine vessel having at least one engine includes receiving a ramp value and an overshoot value, and then determining an acceleration curve based on the ramp value and the overshoot value, wherein the acceleration curve visually represents engine RPM values or vessel speed values over time for accelerating a marine vessel from idle to a desired cruising speed. A graph is then displayed containing the acceleration illustration curve on a user interface display, wherein the graph visually correlates the ramp value and the overshoot value to the acceleration illustration curve. A user input is then received adjusting the ramp value and/or the overshoot value, and the acceleration illustration curve is then redetermined based on the adjusted ramp value and the adjusted overshoot value, and the graph is updated to reflect the new acceleration illustration curve.

Abstract: A method for maneuvering a marine vessel powered by a propulsion system includes accepting inputs to an electronic navigation device and generating a desired track based on the inputs. The desired track includes a series of waypoints, each waypoint in the series of waypoints being associated with a respective heading. The method also includes sending position and orientation information corresponding to each waypoint and its associated heading to a control module. Based on the position and orientation information, the control module generates steering and thrust commands that are required to maneuver the marine vessel from a current waypoint and heading in the series to a following waypoint and heading in the series. According to the steering and thrust commands, the propulsion system thereafter propels the marine vessel along the desired track to each waypoint and its associated heading in succession. A corresponding system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for maneuvering a marine vessel powered by a propulsion system includes accepting inputs to an electronic navigation device and generating a desired track based on the inputs. The desired track includes a series of waypoints, each waypoint in the series of waypoints being associated with a respective heading. The method also includes sending position and orientation information corresponding to each waypoint and its associated heading to a control module. Based on the position and orientation information, the control module generates steering and thrust commands that are required to maneuver the marine vessel from a current waypoint and heading in the series to a following waypoint and heading in the series. According to the steering and thrust commands, the propulsion system thereafter propels the marine vessel along the desired track to each waypoint and its associated heading in succession. A corresponding system is also disclosed.