Abstract: In an apparatus for controlling operation of an outboard motor having an internal combustion engine and a transmission being selectively changeable in gear position to establish speeds including at least a first speed and a second speed and transmitting power of the engine to the propeller with a gear ratio determined by established speed, it is determined whether acceleration is instructed to the engine when the second speed is established and operation of the engine is controlled to increase a fuel amount to be supplied to the engine when detected engine speed is greater than a predetermined speed, thereby improving the performance immediately after acceleration is started.

Abstract: A boat propulsion system includes a shift mechanism arranged to change a shift position among forward, neutral, and reverse. A shift position detection mechanism is connected to a control lever with a wire. The shift position detection mechanism has a detected member and a position detection section. The detected member is displaced corresponding to an operation position of the control lever as the control lever is operated. The position detection section detects a position of the detected member. The position detection section outputs a shift position signal corresponding to the detected position of the detected member. A control device controls the shift position of the shift mechanism on the basis of the shift position signal. The boat propulsion system provided with the shift mechanism of an electronic control type can replace a boat propulsion system provided with a shift mechanism of a mechanical type at low cost.

Abstract: A boat includes a hull, an inboard rotary engine, and a jet propulsion unit connected to the engine via a direct drive connection. The hull may be a stepped hull with one or more aft steps. A large, low, substantially flat aft fishing/swim deck is disposed above the engine and an exhaust system of the engine. The exhaust system may vent into the step of the stepped hull and include a check valve that discourages water from backflowing into the engine.

Abstract: A marine outboard engine has upper and lower engine covers, a swivel bracket, a stern bracket, an engine, a driveshaft, a gear case, a propeller shaft, and a variable pitch propeller. A hydraulic system includes hydraulic steering, trim, and propeller pitch actuators, and at least one valve having at least one inlet, and first, second, and third outlets. The first, second, and third outlets fluidly communicate with the hydraulic steering, trim, and propeller pitch actuators respectively. A pump fluidly communicates with the at least one inlet of the at least one valve. A reservoir stores hydraulic fluid. A control unit controls the at least one valve to control a flow of hydraulic fluid through each of the first, second, and third outlets based at least in part on a signal received from a pressure sensor. Methods of controlling the hydraulic systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: In recreational boats, multiple drive units, e.g., multiple outboard motors, Z-drives, or jet drives, are often provided to propel the boat, at least one of the drive units having a propulsion reversal function for executing a reverse propulsion. To facilitate execution of a turning maneuver with a boat in an extremely tight space, and to ensure that even an unskilled person is able to reliably execute such a turning maneuver, it is provided that the drive units be activated automatically for executing the turn on the spot as a function of a command for turning. The command may be made via a switch, which is operated by the driver of the boat. One drive unit is then operated automatically in propulsion reversal mode, and the other drive unit is operated in propulsion mode. The power of the drive units is then controlled in such a way that the instantaneous efficiency of the drive units operated during turning is taken into account.

Abstract: A remote control system for controlling a propulsion unit of a watercraft includes a plurality of remote controller side ECUs, all of which have the same construction in one embodiment. Each remote controller side ECU includes ECU discriminating terminal sections and an ECU determining section for determining a role of each remote controller side ECU based upon signals provided by the ECU discriminating terminal sections. The ECU determining section determines a role of the particular remote controller side ECU based upon the signals provided by the ECU discriminating terminal sections when the remote controller side ECU starts operating. The ECU determining section also reads out the most proper one of first through sixth exclusive use sections, which define the function of the ECU's role. A determination result is stored in first, second and third EPROMs so as to be used to determine the role.

Abstract: A marine vessel includes a hull, a propulsion device arranged to propel the hull by a driving force of an engine that has a throttle valve arranged to be electrically controlled so as to open and close, an operation lever arranged to be operated by a marine vessel operator to adjust a throttle opening degree of the throttle valve and arranged to hold an operation position, a fine adjustment switch arranged to be operated by the marine vessel operator to increase or decrease the throttle opening degree to finely adjust the throttle opening degree that has been adjusted by the operation lever, and a control unit arranged to adjust the throttle opening degree based on an operation amount of the operation lever and an operation state of the fine adjustment switch.

Abstract: Fuel efficient power system for electric boat is provided. In starting a clutch is not activated if a drive shaft of an electric motor does not rotate at a predetermined speed, a power controller gradually increases a current output to the motor until the drive shaft rotates at the predetermined speed, the third clutch is activated to transmit rotation of the drive shaft to an electrical generator, and the activated generator charges one low rechargeable battery. In response to activating a first clutch rotation of the drive shaft is transmitted to a first shaft, a bevel gear clutch is activated to transmit rotation of the first shaft to a propeller via a reduction gear. In response to moving the boat the first clutch is disengaged and a second clutch is engaged for transmitting rotation of the drive shaft to the second shaft, and a gearbox for increasing propeller speed.

Abstract: A control device for boats, particularly sailboats, includes a control member, which regulates the operating conditions of an operating unit such as a motor, and which can be moved along a predetermined path and for a predetermined range between two extreme stop positions. The device is configured to be coupled to a linkage or tie rod system and/or displacement and/or position electric/electronic sensors, such that a movement of the control member causes a corresponding movement of a member regulating the operating unit. The control member includes a handle extension movable between an actuating operative position, in which the handle extension is deployed, and a non-operative position, in which the extension is laid down and/or withdrawn to reduce overall dimensions.

Abstract: Pivot arm supported by a base is pivotable about an arm support shaft by being pulled via a throttle cable, and a throttle cam supported by the base via a cam support shaft and having a guide groove that has a guide section of the pivot arm movably therein. The arm support shaft and the cam support shaft are disposed in non-parallel relation to a valve shaft of the throttle valve and at such positions as not to overlap the throttle valve as viewed from a lateral side of the throttle valve drive mechanism.

Abstract: There is provided a boat in which the units and control lines for effecting the switching processing of remote control units at the time of switching steering stations can be easily configured, and the system for effecting the switching processing can be easily simplified. A boat includes a first remote control unit connected to boat propulsion units, and a second remote control unit connected to the first remote control unit, the first and second remote control units including remote control levers for operating the boat propulsion units, and remote control selector switches. The first remote control unit has a switching determination section. The switching determination section performs switching processing between the first and second remote control units when the remote control levers of the first and second remote control units are both in the neutral state and the remote control selector switches are in the ON state.

Abstract: In an engine rotation control device, a remote control operation device is provided with a remote control side ECU and an engine side ECU so that an outboard motor can be remotely controlled. The remote control side ECU and the engine side ECU periodically communicate a control signal. A gauge includes a slow-speed operation section that changes the engine rotational speed during slow-speed cruising. The slow-speed operation section outputs a change command signal to change the engine rotational speed, and a rotational speed change signal generated by a signal output section based on the change command signal is transmitted to the engine side ECU as a periodic control signal. A reset section of the remote control side ECU resets the rotational speed change signal to an initial state in response to a request from a reset request section.

Abstract: There is provided an idling rotation speed control apparatus that can reduce the development man-hours and the cost and that enables operation during a trolling cruise to be readily performed. The idling rotation speed control apparatus includes an engine rotation speed detection means, an engine temperature detection means, an engine idling driving state detection means, an engine load detection means, an intake air amount adjusting means for adjusting an amount of intake air during an idling state, and an ECU for controlling the intake air amount adjusting means during idling driving.

Abstract: A control device for a marine propulsion system includes a base and at least two levers. Each one of the levers is supported by the base at a first end for pivotal movement about a common pivot axis and extending generally normal to the pivot axis to have a second end. The second end has a grip. The grip of one of the levers extends toward the second end of the other one of the levers. The respective grips are nested with each other when the levers extend generally parallel to each other.

Abstract: An outboard motor is steerably mounted to a hull via a bracket and a steering arm is mounted to a steering bracket unit attached to the outboard motor. The steering arm includes a shift grip as a shift operating unit, a throttle grip as a throttle operating unit and a throttle adjusting knob as a throttle adjusting operating unit. These units are adjacently disposed in the described order in a forward direction of a hull.

Abstract: A control unit and a method for influencing the speed of an engine and the slip of a downstream clutch of a transmission of a ship's propulsion system via an electronic control unit in response to a manual control-signal generator to select the sense of rotation and the driving speed, wherein, as the clutch is engaged to initiate forward or reverse driving, a slip determination unit of the electronic control unit influences the slip of the clutch in response to a ramp function characteristic to reduce the clutch's slip during an engagement period.

Abstract: There is provided an idling rotation speed control apparatus that can reduce the development man-hours and the cost and that enables operation during a trolling cruise to be readily performed. The idling rotation speed control apparatus includes an engine rotation speed detection means, an engine temperature detection means, an engine idling driving state detection means, an engine load detection means, an intake air amount adjusting means for adjusting an amount of intake air during an idling state, and an ECU for controlling the intake air amount adjusting means during idling driving.

Abstract: An operating handle of an outboard motor is provided with a rotatable grip and a low-speed mode switch unit. A controller performs control so that when the low-speed mode switch unit is “on,” the ratio at which the target speed varies with the manipulated variable of the grip is reduced in comparison with when the low-speed mode switch unit is “off.

Abstract: An engine control system, for controlling an engine of a jet-propulsion boat, includes a cavitation-control-mode determination unit, which starts a cavitation-control mode when an engine speed not faster than 3200 rpm is maintained for a predetermined time period. During a normal sailing operation, ignition timing is set by a first ignition-timing setting unit. Upon detection of a cavitation-control-mode by the cavitation-control-mode determination unit, an engine speed is raised up to a speed not slower than 3200 rpm, which makes an ignition-timing switching unit to select a second ignition-timing setting unit. The second ignition-timing setting unit retards the ignition timing for the normal sailing operation when the engine speed becomes 6500 rpm or faster. In addition to retardation of the ignition timing, a boost pressure control command upper-limit value is switched to a value at a startup operation, which is less than a value at the normal sailing operation.

Abstract: A torsional throttle control system is provided that may include any of a number of features. One feature of the throttle control system is twist-style grip that has an axis with an angle adjustable to a housing. Another feature comprises trim and/or outboard motor control(s) atop the grip. Yet another feature comprises the internal mechanism adapted to effect throttle control. Methods associated with use of the throttle control hardware and systems including a boat are also covered.

Abstract: A boat propulsion system that easily and finely adjusts the rotational speed of a propeller includes an outboard motor including a power source, a propeller, a control lever to which an accelerator opening is input, an accelerator opening detection section arranged to output an operating amount of the control lever, a sensitivity switching section, and a control device. A degree of the accelerator opening relative to the operating amount of the control lever is switched by the sensitivity switching section operated by a boat operator. The sensitivity switching section outputs the degree of the accelerator opening relative to the input operating amount of the control lever as a sensitivity switching signal. The control device controls output of the power source based on the operating amount of the control lever and the sensitivity switching signal.

Abstract: An automatic speed control system that provides desired watercraft velocity over land. The coupled algorithms correct engine speed and torque using inertia based measurements, GPS, and tachometer measurements, and the corrections are augmented and enhanced by velocity/speed and torque/speed relationships that are dynamically and adaptively programmed with real-time data collected during replicated operations of the watercraft in specified conditions.

Abstract: An automatic speed control system that provides desired watercraft velocity over land. The coupled algorithms correct engine speed and torque using inertia based measurements, GPS, and tachometer measurements, and the corrections are augmented and enhanced by velocity/speed and torque/speed relationships that are dynamically and adaptively programmed with real-time data collected during replicated operations of the watercraft in specified conditions.

Abstract: A controller for an electric propulsion system for watercraft that provides for speed, steering and direction of propulsion with a single stick mechanism. The position of the joystick handle relative to the center position will define speed (deflection from center position), steering (angle position of the deflection relative to the stick access), and propulsion direction based upon the quadrant deflection in the angular position and the angle position of that deflection. The present control system includes an all electric wire connection between the controller and the electric motors eliminating any mechanical connections.

Abstract: The control apparatus controls an outboard motor having a propeller and an engine that rotates the propeller and discharges exhaust gas in water. The control apparatus includes a judgment unit arranged to determine a reduction in the propulsive force of the outboard motor due to in-water exhaust of the engine, and a control unit arranged to control the engine such that, when the judgment unit determines that a reduction in the propulsive force occurs, the output of the engine is increased as compared to when the judgment unit determines that a reduction in the propulsive force does not occur.

Abstract: A sports apparatus configured to support a rider upon the water surface is disclosed and may comprise either a compartment in the top surface configured to accept personal articles and a watertight cover to prevent damage and loss of personal articles or a propulsion source. The sports apparatus can have a V-shaped hull to add stability when used in the waves. The propulsion source is powered by either a combustion or electric motor that is controlled by a user interface on the board.

Abstract: An outboard motor has a throttle actuator adapted to control an amount of intake air supplied to an engine, and a shift mechanism that controls shift operation between a neutral and at least a forward gear. The throttle actuator includes a member that is adapted to interfere with the shift mechanism so as to prevent shift actuation when the throttle is opened beyond a predetermined setting. As such, shift operation is prevented at high throttle openings, but throttle operation is still enabled.

Abstract: To perform control of movement of a marine vessel traveling through water during a seismic survey operation, input information relating to factors that affect a speed of the marine vessel is received. The speed of the marine vessel is adjusted in response to the received information relating to the factors that affect the speed of the marine vessel.

Abstract: A water jet propulsion boat includes a fuel pump driven by an electric control unit and arranged to deliver fuel from a fuel tank to an engine via a fuel pipe, and a fuel pressure sensor arranged to detect a pressure of the fuel delivered to the engine by the fuel pump. When a magnitude of the fuel pressure detected by the fuel pressure sensor is less than a predetermined magnitude, the fuel pump is activated. On the other hand, when the magnitude of the fuel pressure detected by the fuel pressure sensor is equal to or greater than the predetermined magnitude, the fuel pump is deactivated. Also, when the fuel pressure detected by the fuel pressure sensor becomes equal to or less than an abnormal threshold value, either one or both of the fuel pump and the engine are deactivated. The water jet propulsion boat lowers power consumption, reduces battery size, extends battery life, and lowers costs.

Abstract: A remote control system for a marine drive includes a change element that changes an operational condition of the marine drive. An actuator actuates the change element. An ECU controls the actuator. A remote controller is remotely placed from the ECU. The remote controller has a control lever. A mechanical cable has ends. One end is coupled with the control lever. A potentiometer outputs a command signal to the ECU. The potentiometer has an input lever. Another end of the mechanical cable is coupled with the input lever. The input lever moves along with the control lever when the control lever is operated. The potentiometer generates the command signal in accordance with a position of the input lever. The control device controls the actuator based upon the command signal.

Abstract: An automatic speed control system that provides desired watercraft velocity over land. The coupled algorithms correct engine speed and torque using inertia based measurements, GPS, and tachometer measurements, and the corrections are augmented and enhanced by velocity/speed and torque/speed relationships that are dynamically and adaptively programmed with real-time data collected during replicated operations of the watercraft in specified conditions.

Abstract: An automatic speed control system that provides desired watercraft velocity over land. The coupled algorithms correct engine speed and torque using inertia based measurements, GPS, and tachometer measurements, and the corrections are augmented and enhanced by velocity/speed and torque/speed relationships that are dynamically and adaptively programmed with real-time data collected during replicated operations of the watercraft in specified conditions.

Abstract: An automatic speed control system that provides desired watercraft velocity over land. The coupled algorithms correct engine speed and torque using inertia based measurements, GPS, and tachometer measurements, and the corrections are augmented and enhanced by velocity/speed and torque/speed relationships that are dynamically and adaptively programmed with real-time data collected during replicated operations of the watercraft in specified conditions.

Abstract: An automatic speed control system that provides desired watercraft velocity over land. The coupled algorithms correct engine speed and torque using inertia based measurements, GPS, and tachometer measurements, and the corrections are augmented and enhanced by velocity/speed and torque/speed relationships that are dynamically and adaptively programmed with real-time data collected during replicated operations of the watercraft in specified conditions.

Abstract: A remote control device can be provided in a watercraft equipped with at least three outboard motors for operating the outboard motors by remote control. The remote control device can have a pair of shift levers and can be provided with a detection device for detecting positions of the shift levers. A remote control-side ECU can control the outboard motors 11 by signals from the detection device. The remote control-side ECU can include a plurality of ECUs corresponding to the outboard motors. The detection device can include a plurality of detection devices for the outboard motors disposed on the sides of the stern of a hull and one for the outboard motor disposed between the side outboard motors. Each of the detection devices can be connected to a respective one of the remote control-side ECUs.

Abstract: An automatic speed control system that provides desired watercraft velocity over land. The coupled algorithms correct engine speed and torque using inertia based measurements, GPS, and tachometer measurements, and the corrections are augmented and enhanced by velocity/speed and torque/speed relationships that are dynamically and adaptively programmed with real-time data collected during replicated operations of the watercraft in specified conditions.

Abstract: A marine vessel running controlling apparatus is applicable to a marine vessel which includes a propulsive force generating unit having an engine with an electric throttle as a drive source for generating a propulsive force to propel a hull of the marine vessel. The marine vessel running controlling apparatus includes an operational unit to be operated by an operator of the marine vessel for controlling the propulsive force, and a control unit arranged to acquire a normal data sample by eliminating an abnormal data sample from actual data acquired during travel of the marine vessel and update control information related to an opening degree of the electric throttle with respect to an operation amount of the operational unit based on the normal data sample.

Abstract: A shift cutout control system is provided that can comprise a shift mechanism, an engine electronic control unit, a remote controller, and an ignition control means. The shift mechanism can switch a rotation of a propeller shaft into one of a neutral, forward, and reverse drive state. The propeller shaft can be driven by an output power of an engine. The engine electronic control unit can control a drive state of the engine. The remote controller can transmit a control signal to the engine electronic control unit to achieve a target drive state. The ignition control means can initiate an ignition cutout in the engine when an operating position signal from a lever position detector indicates that a control lever is in a neutral position and a shift position signal from a shift position detector indicates that a shift position is not in neutral.

Abstract: An outboard motor is steerably mounted to a hull via a bracket and a steering arm is mounted to a steering bracket unit attached to the outboard motor. The steering arm includes a shift grip as a shift operating unit, a throttle grip as a throttle operating unit and a throttle adjusting knob as a throttle adjusting operating unit. These units are adjacently disposed in the described order in a forward direction of a hull.

Abstract: An engine in an outboard motor includes a first rotation angle sensing device arranged to sense a rotation angle of a crankshaft and second rotation angle sensing device arranged to sense a rotation angle of an exhaust camshaft. A reverse rotation determination section is arranged to determine an occurrence of a reverse rotation of the crankshaft based on of a rotation angle sensed by the first rotation angle sensing device and a rotation angle sensed by the second rotation angle sensing device. A gear mechanism operation section forceaby shifts a shift gear mechanism into a neutral state when a reverse rotation of the crankshaft is sensed by the reverse rotation determination section. Water is surely prevented from entering the internal combustion engine and can minimize an increase in the manufacturing cost and simplify the maintenance work of the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A power supply system for a boat LAN system with plural engines can comprise operator's devices, such as speedometers, tachometers, remote controls, and the like in the hull. Plural propulsion units can be mounted on the hull, each of which can include engines for driving respectively the plural propulsion units. A boat LAN system can constitute a communication network between the operator's devices and engine control sections of the engines. Batteries can be provided corresponding to the engines and connected through power switches. A system power supply circuit can also be provided for connecting a battery of selected one of the plural propulsion units to the boat LAN system. Switching circuits for connection to the boat LAN system while bypassing the power switch corresponding to the selected one propulsion unit can be provided which correspond to other power switches of other propulsion units.

Abstract: A throttle valve opening control device for a watercraft engine includes a control section for controlling a valve drive section that drives the throttle valve based upon a signal from a remote controller operating position detecting means. The control section determines whether the operating position is in a trolling range or in a propelling range by the signal from the remote controller operating position detecting means. When the control section determines that the operating position is in the trolling range, the control section adjusts the throttle valve opening by an amount, relative to an operational amount of the remote controller, smaller than when the operating position is in the propelling range.

Abstract: In an engine rotation control device, a remote control operation device is provided with a remote control side ECU and an engine side ECU so that an outboard motor can be remotely controlled. The remote control side ECU and the engine side ECU periodically communicate a control signal. A gauge includes a slow-speed operation section that changes the engine rotational speed during slow-speed cruising. The slow-speed operation section outputs a change command signal to change the engine rotational speed, and a rotational speed change signal generated by a signal output section based on the change command signal is transmitted to the engine side ECU as a periodic control signal. A reset section of the remote control side ECU resets the rotational speed change signal to an initial state in response to a request from a reset request section.

Abstract: A system for controlling a marine vessel having first and second waterjets, corresponding first and second steering nozzles and corresponding first and second reversing buckets. The system comprises a speed control device for providing a first vessel control signal that corresponds to a speed to be provided to the marine vessel, a processor configured to receive the first vessel control signal and that is configured to provide at least one first actuator control signal coupled to the first and second waterjets, and at least one second actuator control signal coupled to the first and second steering nozzles and the first and second reversing buckets. The system any of improves upon turns provided by conventional waterjet propulsion systems, improves upon slowing down or stopping marine vessels as is done by conventional waterjet propulsion systems, and improves upon the controllability of the waterjet propulsed marine vessel at low vessel speeds.

Abstract: A watercraft is controllable by either a main station or a substation. A main-side remote control device is disposed in the main station. A sub-side remote control device is disposed in the substation. An outboard motor for generating propulsion force is controlled by the main-side remote control device or the sub-side remote control device. The sub-side remote control device is connected to the main-side remote control device by wiring, and the main-side remote control device is connected to the outboard motor by a network.

Abstract: A propulsion unit control system is provided for a boat having plural propulsion units provided side by side and electrically connected in association with two adjacent operation levers. The control system synchronizes engine speeds of the respective propulsion units with each other based at least in part on the position of the two operation levers. The control system determines whether certain factors are satisfied before synchronizing engine speeds. The factors include, for example, whether a deviation in angular position between the two operation levers is within a prescribed range. Another factor is whether a deviation between the throttle opening of a reference propulsion unit and a propulsion unit to be synchronized equal to or less than a prescribed value. If the respective deviations are equal to or smaller than a relevant prescribed value, the engine speeds of the respective propulsion units are controlled for synchronization with each other.

Abstract: A watercraft has an engine that is controlled to provide a slower operational watercraft speed during a reverse operation of the watercraft. The engine is controlled by detecting a reverse operation and an operator engine torque request. An operational characteristic of the engine (e.g., engine speed) is adjusted to decrease the engine output by a predetermined amount after it is determined that the watercraft is in reverse operation.

Abstract: A throttle opening controller for one embodiment of a small planing boat includes: a throttle valve for changing the degree of opening in response to displacement of a throttle lever; a remaining fuel amount detector; a fuel consumption calculating means; and a throttle opening limiting means. In one embodiment, when a remaining fuel amount detected by the remaining fuel amount detector is equal to or below a preset value L1, the fuel consumption calculating means starts calculating total fuel injection amount. When a value, obtained by subtracting the total fuel injection amount from the preset value L1, is equal to or below a threshold L0, the throttle opening limiting means determines the degree of opening of the throttle valve based on an opening rate (k). An internal space of a fuel tank can be divided using a vertical partition into plural chambers. In addition, a knock sensor can be provided for an engine.

Abstract: A steering system for a boat with three or more propulsion units allows the operator to operate the boat in the same manner before and after a failure of one of the propulsion units. The steering system includes not more than two control levers to control three or more propulsion units. A control means automatically changes the control arrangement between the two control levers and the propulsion units when any of the propulsion units is turned off.

Abstract: In a system for controlling outboard motors each mounted on a boat and each having an internal combustion engine and a shift mechanism, an actuator driving at least one of the shift mechanism and a throttle valve of the engine, and a controller controlling operation of the actuator, comprising: a navigation unit having a steering wheel installed to be freely operable by an operator and a steering angle detector producing an output indicative of a steering angle of the steering wheel, wherein the outboard motors are immovably fastened to the boat, such that each of the controllers controls the operation of the actuator cooperatively based on the output of the steering angle detector, to regulate traveling direction of the boat. With this, it becomes possible to control a traveling direction of the boat based on a steering command issued by the operator, while achieving a compact outboard motor.