Patent ID: 6178907
Filing Date: 2001-01-30
Classification: B63H

Abstract:
A flanking rudder system for watercraft having a hull and at least one thrust producing device capable of providing forward or reverse thrust relative to said hull and along a thrust axis, comprising:(a) at least two rudders positioned forward of said thrust producing device, wherein each of said rudders is pivotally connected beneath said hull along pivotal axes spaced equidistantly from said thrust axis;(b) actuation means operatively connected to each of said rudders for rotating each of said rudders about their respective said pivotal axes independently of one another; and(c) control means operatively connected to said actuation means for controlling the rotational position of each of said rudders about their respective said pivotal axes, said control means including selection means for selectively defining the rotational position of at least one of said rudders in one or more predetermined configurations, wherein said selection means comprises a console adjacent to said control means, wherein said console includes an electrical switching device having a plurality of selectable settings corresponding to said predetermined configurations.