Patent ID: 7540795
Filing Date: 2009-06-02
Classification: B63H

Abstract:
1. A watercraft propulsion system having an engine configured to produce thrust under control of a remote controller that remotely controls shifting between forward, neutral, and reverse modes, the watercraft propulsion apparatus comprising a shifting mechanism configured to shifting gears between forward, neutral, and reverse gears, a shift actuator configured to drive the shifting mechanism, a shift position sensor configured to detect a position of the shift actuator with respect to the forward, neutral, and reverse gears, a controller configured to control the shift actuator in accordance with a signal provided from the shift position sensor, and a start-regulation circuit including a plurality of semiconductor devices, the circuit being configured to deactivate a starter of the engine when a starting switch of the engine is turned on in a state where a position other than neutral is detected by the shift position sensor, wherein the start-regulation circuit is configured to deactivate the starter of the engine even when the starting switch of the engine is turned on, when an intermediate zone between the neutral and forward positions or an intermediate zone between the neutral and reverse positions is detected by the shift position sensor, and when the start-regulation circuit determines that a position other than neutral is detected.