Patent ID: 7506599
Filing Date: 2009-03-24
Classification: B63H

Abstract:
1. A boat comprising a hull, a propulsion unit supported on the hull by a steering shaft, and a steering system, the steering system comprising a steering input device adapted to receive steering inputs from a boat operator, and a steering drive system, the steering input device electrically connected to the steering drive system, the steering drive system comprising a plurality of steering motors adapted to rotate the propulsion unit about the steering shaft to steer the boat, a steering torque detector adapted to detect the torque during steering, and a controller, the controller having a storage portion configured to store motor data concerning each of the steering motors, and a motor selector adapted to select which of the steering motors is operated to effect steering in response to a steering input, wherein the motor selector selects which of the steering motors is operated based at least in part on the steering torque detected by the steering torque detector and the motor data.