Abstract: A method is disclosed for controlling heading of a marine vessel having a steerable component coupled thereto, the steerable component being rotatable to affect a direction of movement of the vessel. The method is carried out by a control module and includes accepting a command to initiate a control mode in which the vessel's heading is to be maintained at a desired heading. The method includes receiving a current heading of the vessel and determining a heading error between the current heading and the desired heading. The method also includes determining if the vessel is on-plane or off-plane. In response to the vessel being off-plane, the method includes controlling the steerable component to rotate by at least a predetermined correction amount away from a starting position in a direction that will cause the vessel to rotate to reduce the heading error, and subsequently to rotate back toward the starting position.

Abstract: A method for controlling a multi-speed transmission for an engine powering a marine propulsion device on a marine vessel is disclosed. The method is carried out by a control module and includes determining a load of the engine, determining speed of the engine, and determining a pitch of the marine vessel. The method includes switching between a first gear ratio and a second gear ratio of the transmission based on the engine load, the engine speed, and the vessel pitch.

Abstract: A watercraft structure (100) comprises a hull (110) and a lifting surface (120) connected to the hull (110) and immersed at least partially in water, said lifting surface (120) adapted to generate a lift force suitable for supporting the hull (110), said lifting surface (120) comprising a movable portion (125) arranged to rotate relatively to the watercraft (100), between a position of higher lift and a position of lower lift. The watercraft structure (100) also comprises an actuating mechanism (130) arranged to actuate the movable portion (125) between the above described positions. The actuating mechanism (130) comprises a containing volume comprising a first chamber (141) at a pressure Pa and a second chamber (142) at a pressure Pb divided by a septum (145), said septum (145) having a first face (145a) having surface Sa and oriented towards the first chamber (141) and a second face (145b) having surface Sb and oriented towards the second chamber (142).

Abstract: A control for adjusting the trim of a motor boat having a drive unit mounted on the boat for adjustment of the thrust angle relative to the boat. A trim motor adjusts the drive unit relative to the boat. A boat speed responsive pick up and control provides an output signal indicative of boat speed. A microprocessor controls the trim motor and is connected to receive the speed signals. The microprocessor reads boat speed at intervals and compares the latest speed reading with the prior reading to determine whether boat speed is increasing. The microprocessor commands the trim motor to move the drive unit in increments in one direction so long as each adjustment results in increasing speed and then to move the trim motor to adjust the drive unit in increments in the opposite direction so long as the adjustment results in increasing speed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to maneuvering control systems for small waterplane-area twin hull design watercraft. The maneuvering control system of the present invention includes horizontal or dihedral foils mounted on the lower hulls of the watercraft. The foils may take the form of a one-piece rotatable foil or a foil that includes a plurality of movable sections.

Abstract: A sensor (43) responds to the operation of a marine transportation system to sense on-plane and off-plane conditions of a boat (21) to operate a trim control (44) to automatically position a trimmable drive (25) for a desired boating operation. The preferred embodiment senses engine speed while an alternative embodiment senses fluid pressure opposing boat movement. The drive (25) is moved to an auto-out position (34) at high speeds and to a trimmed-in position (33) at lower speeds.