Patent ID: 8162706
Filing Date: 2012-04-24
Classification: B63H

Abstract:
1. A steering system for a watercraft arranged to pivot a watercraft propulsion unit laterally relative to a hull of the watercraft, to move the propulsion unit from a neutral position in right and left directions by a driving force of a steering actuator, the steering system comprising: a steering assist device to generate a predetermined urging force in a direction toward the neutral position when the watercraft propulsion unit is steered toward at least one of the right direction and the left direction relative to the neutral position; wherein the steering assist device applies the urging force to the steering actuator in the direction toward the neutral position when a steered angle of the watercraft propulsion unit is in a predetermined angle range including a maximum steered angle and does not apply any urging force to the steering actuator when the steered angle of the watercraft propulsion unit is in the neutral position and when the steered angle of the watercraft propulsion unit is outside of the predetermined angle range; and the steering system further comprises a shaft whose axial direction is arranged along the right and left directions of the watercraft hull, the steering actuator is disposed movably along the axial direction of the shaft, and wherein the steering assist device comprises an urging device disposed at end portions of the shaft to press the steering actuator in the direction toward the neutral position.