Patent ID: 8777681
Filing Date: 2014-07-15
Classification: B63H

Abstract:
1. A system for maneuvering a marine vessel, the system comprising: an input device for requesting at least a transverse movement of the marine vessel with respect to a longitudinal direction; a plurality of marine propulsion devices that are movable between at least an aligned position wherein the plurality of marine propulsion devices define thrust vectors that are parallel to each other and an unaligned position wherein the plurality of marine propulsion devices define thrust vectors that are not parallel to each other; a controller that has a programmable circuit and that controls movement of the plurality of marine propulsion devices between the aligned and unaligned positions; wherein upon operation of the input device to request transverse movement of the marine vessel the plurality of marine propulsion devices are moved into the unaligned position to achieve said transverse movement and thereafter remain in the unaligned position until further movement of the marine vessel is requested; and a shift lever for requesting a change in shift of at least one of the plurality of marine propulsion devices, wherein the controller controls movement of the plurality of marine propulsion devices into the aligned position upon operation of the shift lever, and to thereafter remain in the aligned position.