Abstract:
A boat steering system provides an operator with excellent efficiency and an excellent operation feel during direction guide member deflection by considering and making adjustments based on a running status of the boat. An ECU controls a direction guide member deflection angle limit. The ECU includes and/lor communicates with detectors and the like for detecting one or more of an operation status corresponding to a steering wheel operation, a running status of the boat, recognizing a status of an outboard motor, and detecting a status of an electric motor that roates an outboard motor. The ECU also controls a direction guide member deflection angle limit based on one or more of the detection values.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application is based on and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to Japanese Patent Application Serial No. 2006-312172, filed on Nov. 17, 2006, the entire contents of which are expressly incorporated by reference herein. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to a watercraft having a steering system and, more particularly relates to a steering system having an electric actuator. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    In conventional watercraft, the watercraft is steered in response to operation of the steering wheel. Japanese Patent Document No. JP-A-2005-254848 discloses an electric actuator that is actuated as an operator operates the steering wheel. An external force to the watercraft is detected during such steering, and a reaction torque is applied to the steering wheel based on the detected external force. Accordingly, the operator can feel the external force to the watercraft due to, for example, a water current, directly through the steering wheel, and thus can recognize the movement of the watercraft corresponding to such external force so as to react quickly. 
         [0006]    When such a watercraft is under no external force, an operation feel of the steering wheel can be lighter. Unfortunately, when larger output is required for rudder deflection (high rudder deflection torque), and when the steering wheel is operated faster, output from the steering motor (electric actuator) becomes less responsive, resulting in a poor operation feel. 
         [0007]    It should be noted that rudder deflection torque characteristics sufficient to cause rudder deflection may change depending on a number of conditions. For example,  FIG. 7  shows a change from rudder deflection force characteristic line A 1  to rudder deflection force characteristic line A 2 , depending on conditions such as the characteristics of the watercraft, a rudder angle, an operation speed, or the like. In such case, if a limit to the rudder deflection angle never changes, a rudder deflection force required when the rudder is returned after being deflected to a maximum position may exceed the motor&#39;s ability, resulting in impaired responsiveness and a poorer operation feel. 
         [0008]    Further, as shown in  FIG. 8 , some motor characteristics depend on the surroundings such as temperature. For example, when the temperature becomes high the motor characteristics may change from the state shown by motor characteristic line B 1  (solid line in the figure) to the state shown by motor characteristic line B 2  (broken line in the figure). Since the motor characteristics at high temperatures provide lower torque, a rudder deflection force required may not be obtained during light temperature conditions, resulting in impaired responsiveness and a poorer operation feel. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0009]    Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a watercraft steering system that provides an operator with excellent efficiency and excellent operation feel during rudder deflection, while considering a running status of the watercraft. 
         [0010]    In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a watercraft comprising a hull and a propulsion unit at a stern of the hull. A steering device comprises a deflectable rudder and an electric actuator for deflecting the rudder so as to steer the watercraft. A steering wheel is operable by an operator. The steering wheel is adapted to provide an actuation signal corresponding to the amount of a steering wheel operation. A controller is adapted to receive the steering wheel actuation signal and to direct the electric actuator to deflect the rudder. The controller is configured to obtain or receive detection data concerning at least one of an operation status corresponding to the steering wheel operation, a running status of the watercraft, a status of the propulsion unit, and a status of the electric actuator. The controller calculates a rudder deflection angle limit based on at least one of the detection data. The rudder deflection angle limit is calculated so that rudder deflection remains within a range in which the electric actuator maintains a threshold performance level so that steering performance remains advantageous. 
         [0011]    Another embodiment comprises an operation status detector that detects at least one of a rudder deflection force required for rudder deflection, a load to the rudder, a direction in which the rudder is deflected corresponding to a direction in which the steering wheel is operated and/or the steering wheel operation, and a deviation of a detected actual rudder deflection angle from a target rudder deflection angle corresponding to the steering wheel operation. 
         [0012]    A further embodiment comprises a running status detector that detects at least one of a position of a waterline and a weight of the watercraft, a trim angle of the watercraft, and at least one of a speed, an acceleration, a deceleration and a propulsive force of the watercraft, and an output of the propulsion unit. 
         [0013]    A yet further embodiment additionally comprises an operation storage device for storing therein any one of pieces of information on the installation number of the watercraft propulsion unit, an installation position of the watercraft propulsion unit relative to the watercraft, a rotational direction of a propeller of the watercraft propulsion unit, a propeller shape, a trim tab angle and a trim tab shape. 
         [0014]    A still further embodiment comprises an electric actuator status detector that includes a temperature detector for detecting a temperature of the electric actuator. In one embodiment, the electric actuator status detector includes an operating number detector for detecting the number of electric actuators in operation. 
         [0015]    Yet a further embodiment comprises a running status detector that detects at least one of a position of a waterline and a weight of the watercraft, a trim angle of the watercraft, and at least one of a speed, an acceleration, a deceleration and a propulsive force of the watercraft, and an output of the propulsion unit. 
         [0016]    Another embodiment additionally comprises an operation storage device for storing information on one or more of the installation number of the watercraft propulsion unit, an installation position of the watercraft propulsion unit relative to the watercraft, a rotational direction of a propeller of the watercraft propulsion unit, a propeller shape, a trim tab angle and a trim tab shape. 
         [0017]    A still further embodiment additionally comprises a reaction motor for applying a reaction force to the steering wheel, and a reaction motor controller, wherein the reaction motor controller is adapted to increase a reaction force of the reaction motor as the rudder approaches the rudder deflection angle limit. 
         [0018]    In another embodiment, the propulsion unit comprises an outboard motor, and the rudder is part of the outboard motor. 
         [0019]    In accordance with another embodiment, a method is provided for steering a watercraft having a propulsion unit supported by a hull, a rudder, and an electric actuator adapted to deflect the rudder to effect steering. The method comprises providing a controller adapted to control deflection of the rudder, providing a steering wheel adapted to generate a signal corresponding to steering wheel operation, communicating the steering wheel signal to the controller, communicating to the controller detection data concerning at least one of an operation status corresponding to steering wheel operation, a running status of the watercraft, a status of the propulsion unit, and a status of the electric actuator, and calculating a rudder deflection angle limit based on at least one of the detection data communicated to the controller. The rudder deflection angle limit is calculated so that the electric actuator will be capable of deflecting the rudder up to the rudder deflection angle limit while maintaining a desired range of performance. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0020]      FIG. 1  is a plan view of a watercraft in accordance with one embodiment. 
           [0021]      FIG. 2  is an enlarged plan view of a steering device of the watercraft in accordance with the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 3  is a block diagram showing interactions of some systems and detectors in accordance with an embodiment. 
           [0023]      FIG. 4  is a block diagram of aspects of an ECU in accordance with one embodiment. 
           [0024]      FIG. 5  is a flowchart of a reaction control process in accordance with an embodiment. 
           [0025]      FIG. 6  are graphs illustrating the operation in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention, in which  FIG. 6(   a ) illustrates the relationship between rudder deflection speeds and rudder deflection forces; and  FIG. 6(   b ) illustrates the relationship between rudder deflection angles and rudder deflection forces. 
           [0026]      FIG. 7  is a graph of deflection force characteristics, illustrating a relationship between rudder deflection torques and rudder deflection speeds. 
           [0027]      FIG. 8  is a graph of motor characteristics, illustrating a relationship between torques generated by an electric motor and rotational speeds at different temperatures. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0028]    With initial reference to  FIGS. 1 to 8 , an embodiment of a watercraft has a hull  10  including a transom  11 . A “watercraft propulsion unit” is mounted to the transom  11  of the hull  10 . In the illustrated embodiment, the propulsion unit is an outboard motor  12  mounted to the transom  11  via clamp brackets  13 . The outboard motor  12  preferably is pivotable about a swivel shaft (steering pivot shaft)  14  that extends in a generally vertical direction. The outboard motor  12  serves as a rudder as it pivots, and thus the direction in which the watercraft is driven is changed as the outboard motor  12  pivots. It is to be understood that other types of propulsion units, such as inboard motors, stem devices, or the like, may also employ principles disclosed herein. 
         [0029]    A steering bracket  15  is fixed at the upper end of the swivel shaft  14 . The steering bracket  15  is coupled at its front end  15   a  to a steering device  16 . The steering device  16  is driven by operating a steering wheel  17  in an operator&#39;s section of the hull  10 . 
         [0030]    In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , the steering device  16  includes a DD (direct drive) electric motor  20  that is attached to a threaded rod  21  extending in a width direction of the watercraft. The motor  20  is movable in the width direction of the watercraft along the threaded rod  21 . 
         [0031]    The illustrated threaded rod  21  is supported at its ends by a pair of left and right supports  22 . The supports  22  are supported by a tilt shaft  23 . The illustrated electric motor  20  has a coupling bracket  24  extending rearward. The coupling bracket  24  and steering bracket  15  are coupled with each other via a coupling pin  25 . 
         [0032]    As a result, as the electric motor  20  is actuated to move in the width direction of the watercraft relative to the threaded rod  21 , the outboard motor  12  will pivot about the swivel shaft  14  via the coupling bracket  24  and the steering bracket  15 . As such, the motor actuates steering of boat by rotating the motor  12 . 
         [0033]    With reference again to  FIG. 1 , the steering wheel  17  preferably is fixed to a steering wheel shaft  26 . At the proximal end of the steering shaft  26 , there is provided a steering wheel control unit  27 . The steering wheel control unit  27  includes a steering wheel operation angle sensor  28  for detecting an operation angle of the steering wheel  17 , and a reaction motor  29  for applying a desired reaction force to the steering wheel  17  during operation of the steering wheel  17  by the operator. 
         [0034]    The steering wheel control unit  27  is connected to an electronic control unit (ECU)  33  via a signal cable  30 . The control unit  33  is connected to the electric motor  20  of the steering device  16 . The control unit  33  receives a signal from the steering wheel operation angle sensor  28 , controls the electric motor  20 , and controls the reaction motor  29 . 
         [0035]    As shown in  FIG. 4 , the control unit  33  preferably includes operation status detection means  38  for detecting an operation status corresponding to an operator&#39;s steering wheel operation, running status detection means  39  for detecting a running status of the watercraft, outboard motor status recognition means  40  for recognizing a status of the outboard motor  12 , such as its installation number, and electric motor status detection means  41  for detecting a status of the electric motor  20 . 
         [0036]    The control unit  33  also preferably includes rudder deflection angle control means  42  for reducing a rudder deflection angle limit when it determines that a load to the electric motor  20  during rudder deflection will increase beyond a threshold value if the rudder deflection angle is greater than the calculated limit. This reduced rudder deflection angle limit preferably considers detection values from the operation status detection means  38 . The control unit  33  also preferably includes reaction motor control means  43  that increases a reaction force applied by the reaction motor  29  as the rudder approaches the rudder deflection angle limit. 
         [0037]    The operation status detection means  38  preferably includes rudder deflection force detection means  46  for detecting a rudder deflection force required for rudder deflection, load detection means  44  for detecting a load to the rudder, such as water pressure, and steering operation detection means  47  preferably for detecting a direction in which the rudder is deflected, corresponding to a direction in which the steering wheel  17  is operated and/or a steering wheel operation, as shown in  FIG. 3 , and deviation detection means  45  for detecting a deviation of a detected actual rudder deflection angle from a target rudder deflection angle corresponding to the steering wheel operation, as shown in  FIG. 4 . The steering wheel operation angle sensor  28  provided in the steering operation detection means  47  detects a steering wheel operation angle. 
         [0038]    The numerous “means” introduced and discussed herein comprise detectors configured to detect the associated characteristics and generate an electronic signal that is communicated to the control unit  33  and/or to another detector. Such detectors may have any suitable structure, may employ one or more sensors working alone or in concert, may include stored data, may conduct and store calculations based upon sensor inputs and/or stored data, and the like. 
         [0039]    To the running status detection means  39  there preferably are connected weight detection means  48  for detecting the position of a waterline and the weight of the watercraft, trim angle detection means  49  for detecting a trim angle of the watercraft, speed detection means  50  for detecting a speed, an acceleration, a deceleration and a propulsive force of the watercraft, and an output of the outboard motor  12 , and PTT operation status detection means (not shown) for detecting a PTT operation status, as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0040]    Further, to the outboard motor status recognition means  40  there preferably is connected operation storage means  51  for storing therein information on the installation number of the outboard motor  12 , the installation position of the outboard motor  12  relative to the watercraft, a rotational direction of a propeller of the outboard motor  12 , a propeller size, a propeller shape, a trim tab angle, a trim tab shape, and the like. The operation storage means  51  can be included in the ECU  33 . 
         [0041]    Furthermore, the electric motor status detection means  41  preferably includes temperature detection means  52  for detecting a temperature of the electric motor  20 , and operating number detection means  53  for detecting the number of electric motors  20  in operation. 
         [0042]    It is to be understood that the above-described list of means or detectors does not necessarily comprise an exhaustive list of all the detectors that can be used in embodiments of the inventions and neither does it represent a minimum list of detectors. Rather, it presents an example embodiment. It is contemplated that other embodiments may employ more or less detectors (means) and that such means may be somewhat different in configuration and in their electronic interconnections than as specifically described in this example embodiment. 
         [0043]    With reference to  FIG. 5 , the operation of an embodiment will be described below. 
         [0044]    As the operator first turns the steering wheel  17  in any direction by any angle, a signal will be transmitted from the steering wheel operation angle sensor  28  in the steering operation detection means  47  to the ECU  33 . Then, in step S 10  of  FIG. 5 , a target rudder deflection angle is detected, and in step S 11 , a target deviation is computed. 
         [0045]    In step S 12 , the operation status detection means  38  detects an operation status. As used herein, the term “operation status” refers to at least a rudder deflection force required for deflecting the outboard motor  12 , a load to the rudder (outboard motor  12  in a preferred embodiment), a direction in which the steering wheel  17  is operated, a direction in which the rudder (outboard motor  12 ) is deflected, a deviation of a detected actual rudder deflection angle from a target rudder deflection angle corresponding to a steering wheel operation, and the like. 
         [0046]    The rudder deflection force is detected by the rudder deflection force detection means  46 . The load to the rudder is detected by the load detection means  44 . The direction in which the steering wheel  17  is operated and the direction in which the rudder is deflected are detected by the steering operation detection means  47 . The deviation of a detected actual rudder deflection angle from a target rudder deflection angle corresponding to the steering wheel operation is detected by the deviation detection means  45 . Detection signals from those means preferably are transmitted to the operation status detection means  38  to thereby detect the operation status. 
         [0047]    In step S 13 , the running status detection means  39  detects a running status. As used herein, the term “running status” refers to the position of a waterline, the weight, a trim angle, a speed, an acceleration, a deceleration and a propulsive force of the watercraft, an output of the outboard motor  12 , and such aspects concerning operation of the hull  11  and motor  12  to the surrounding body of water. 
         [0048]    The position of a waterline and the weight of the watercraft are detected by the weight detection means  48 . The trim angle of the watercraft is detected by the trim angle detection means  49 . The speed, the acceleration, the deceleration and the propulsive force of the watercraft, and the output of the outboard motor  12  preferably are detected by the speed detection means  50 . Detection signals from those means preferably are transmitted to the running status detection means  39  to thereby detect and/or calculate the running status. 
         [0049]    In step S 14  the outboard motor status recognition means  40  recognizes a status of the outboard motor  12 . As used herein, the term “the status of the outboard motor  12 ” refers to the installation number of the outboard motor  12 , the installation position of the outboard motor  12  relative to the watercraft and/or any other outboard motors that may also be mounted to the watercraft, a rotational direction of the propeller of the outboard motor  12 , a propeller shape, a trim tab angle, a trim tab shape, and the like. 
         [0050]    Information on the installation number of the outboard motor  12 , the installation position of the outboard motor  12  relative to the watercraft, the rotational direction of the propeller of the outboard motor  12 , and the like are stored in the operation storage means  51 . In this embodiment, such information is read and then transmitted to the outboard motor status recognition means  40  to thereby recognize the status of the outboard motor  12 . 
         [0051]    Thereafter, in step S 15 , the electric motor status detection means  41  detects a status of the electric motor  20 . As used herein, the term “the status of the electric motor  20 ” refers to factors which influence the output characteristics of the electric motor  20 , specifically a temperature and a voltage of the electric motor  20 , the number of the electric motor  20  in operation, and the like. Other motor characteristics, such as maintenance status and the like, can be detected and/or stored by this detector  41 . 
         [0052]    The temperature of the electric motor  20  is detected by the temperature detection means  52 . The number of the electric motor  20  in operation is detected by the operating number detection means  53 . Detection signals from those means are transmitted to the electric motor status detection means  41  to thereby detect the status of the electric motor  20 . 
         [0053]    Based on such detection values, in step S 16 , the rudder deflection angle control means  42  in the ECU  33  computes a rudder deflection angle limit for rudder angle restriction, and in step S 17 , rudder deflection control is performed. The rudder deflection control is made such that the outboard motor  12  achieves the deflection limit angle as the ECU  33  controls the electric motor  20 , and the process then returns to step S 10 . 
         [0054]    As a result, during operation of the watercraft by the operator, since rudder deflection angle restriction is performed depending on a running status of the watercraft, and the like, the electric motor  20  is actuated within a range of advantageous motor performance and thus provides excellent responsiveness in substantially all conditions, and the operator can obtain an excellent feel of operation when deflecting the rudder. 
         [0055]    In one preferred mode of operation, when a rudder deflection force required for rudder deflection is large and thereby a load to the rudder is large, or when the rudder is deflected in a direction which receives a reaction force to the propeller in response to a direction in which the steering wheel  17  has been operated, or a direction in which the rudder is expected to deflect, a rudder deflection angle limit is made smaller to limit the increase in the rudder deflection force. 
         [0056]    Making the rudder deflection angle smaller corresponding reduces an increase in the rudder deflection force, allowing a much faster steering wheel operation. This also prevents exceeding the limit of rudder deflection ability during rudder deflection. 
         [0057]    In some watercraft running status conditions, such as when the position of a waterline is high, the weight of the watercraft is heavy, or a trim angle is small so that the watercraft  12  is positioned in a certain fore-and-aft vertical range, a rudder deflection force corresponding to a rudder angle will increase. 
         [0058]    In some embodiments in which such running status conditions are detected, making a rudder deflection angle smaller limits an increase in rudder deflection force, allowing a much faster operation of the steering wheel  17 . This also prevents exceeding the limit of rudder deflection ability during rudder deflection. 
         [0059]    In other watercraft running status conditions, such as when selectively accelerating or decelerating, the watercraft generates a propulsive force larger than that during cruising at a certain speed, which causes a reaction force to the propeller to increase. 
         [0060]    When such conditions are detected in some embodiments, making the rudder deflection angle smaller limits an increase in the rudder deflection force, allowing a much faster steering wheel operation. This also prevents exceeding the limit of rudder deflection ability during rudder deflection. 
         [0061]    Applicant has observed that a rudder deflection load can increase as the installation number of the outboard motor  12  increases. Also a rudder deflection load increases as the propeller increases in size. Further, a rudder deflection load also may increase in one direction depending on a rotational direction of the propeller. A rudder deflection load also can increase depending on the trim tab size. A rudder deflection load increases when a trim tab angle is deviating from a reference position corresponding to a watercraft speed, a trim angle, and a waterline. 
         [0062]    In embodiments in which one or more of such conditions are detected, making the rudder deflection angle smaller limits an increase in the rudder deflection force, allowing a much faster steering wheel operation. This also prevents exceeding the limit of rudder deflection ability during rudder deflection. 
         [0063]    As to the installation position of the outboard motor  12 , in a watercraft with a plurality of the outboard motors  12 , when it is driven with only part of the outboard motors  12  actually in operation, or when the individual outboard motors are in different trim status (when the lower part of the individual outboard motor  12  has a different underwater depth), rudder deflection load characteristics will not be the same between rudder deflection to the left and rudder deflection to the right. Accordingly, a propulsive force preferably is adjusted, depending on whether the outboard motor  12  generating the propulsive force is on the left or the right in the width direction of the watercraft, or the outboard motor  12  having a smaller trim angle and thereby a deeper underwater depth is on the left or the right in the width direction of the watercraft (the propulsive force is decreased when the rudder is returned from a deflected position to the side on which the outboard motor  12  of a deeper underwater depth is installed). 
         [0064]    As the temperature of the electric water  20  for the steering device  16  rises, the motor characteristics described above tend to be exhibited as shown by broken line in  FIG. 8 , and thus less torque will be outputted from the motor. Accordingly, in one embodiment a rudder deflection angle limit is made smaller to thereby prevent exceeding the limit of the ability of the electric motor  20 . 
         [0065]    Also, the number of the electric motor  20  in operation preferably is detected, and for the fewer motors in operation, a rudder deflection angle limit is made smaller. More specifically, as the number of operable motors is fewer, a rudder deflection angle limit is made smaller to thereby prevent exceeding the functional ability of the electric motor  20 . For example, in the case of a plurality of the electric motors  20  in use, if any of them is not operable due to a failure or the like; then the rudder deflection angle limit is reduced, In an embodiment in which a watercraft is equipped with a plurality of outboard motors  12  operatively coupled to each other for the same rudder deflecting movement, each outboard motor  12  having an electric motor  20 , when part of the outboard motors  12  is inactivated and the associated electric motor  20  is also inactivated so that the rudder deflection is performed using the rest of the electric motors  20  the deflection angle limit is made smaller. 
         [0066]    In the illustrated watercraft embodiments, the outboard motor  12  is deflected by the electric motor  20 . Thus, it is advantageous that an operation feel of the steering wheel  17  can be lighter; however, in the case where the rudder is deflected to a great magnitude, a larger load is required when the rudder is returned to its original position than when the rudder was initially deflected. Accordingly, output from the electric motor  20  may become less responsive, resulting in a delayed response to a rudder deflecting operation. In a preferred embodiment, however, in accordance with the motor characteristics of the electric motor  20 , a rudder deflection angle limit is made smaller to thereby prevent deflection angle limit deflecting the rudder to the extent that the electric motor is unable to return the rudder within an acceptable performance range. 
         [0067]    As a result, the rudder deflection range preferably is limited, and thus the outboard motor  12  is deflected within the acceptable performance range of the output of the electric motor  20  even when the rudder is returned. This prevents a delayed response to a rudder deflecting operation. 
         [0068]    More specifically, as shown in  FIG. 6(   b ), as a running status or an electric motor status, such as a watercraft speed, a trim angle, the weight, an acceleration, a deceleration, or a propulsive force, increases, the relationship between rudder deflection angles and rudder deflection forces will change from the characteristics shown by solid line in  FIG. 6(   b ) to the characteristics as shown in broken line in the figure. Accordingly, when a rudder deflection angle is the same as that in position “a 1 ” of the characteristics shown in solid line, a rudder deflection force increases as that in position “a 2 ” of the characteristics shown in broken line. When a rudder deflection force is the same as that in position “a 1 ” of the characteristics shown in solid line, a rudder deflection angle decreases as that in position “a 3 ” of the characteristics shown in broken line in order to maintain the same deflection force. 
         [0069]    As a rudder deflection force or the like increases in this way, when a rudder deflection angle limit is large, the motor characteristics may fall outside of ability characteristic line C of the electric motor  20  at as position “b 1 ” shown in characteristic line B 1  in  FIG. 6(   a ), which illustrates the relationship between rudder deflection forces and rudder deflection speeds. In such a case, when a rudder deflection angle limit is made smaller according to embodiments discussed herein, thereby changing the motor characteristics as shown by characteristic line B 2 , a rudder deflection force decreases as shown in position “b 2 ” while the same rudder deflection speed as in position “b 1 ” is maintained. As a result, the motor  20  characteristics falls within the range of ability characteristic line C. Accordingly, the outboard motor  12  can be deflected within the range of output of the electric motor  20 , and thus no delayed response occurs during a rudder deflecting operation. 
         [0070]    In some embodiments, the ECU  33  can include reaction motor control means  43  for controlling output of the reaction motor  29 , so that when the rudder nearly achieves a rudder defection angle limit, output of the reaction motor  29  is increased based on a signal from the reaction motor control means  43  to increase a reaction force to the steering wheel  17 . 
         [0071]    This provides the operator a response corresponding to a rudder deflection load directly through the steering wheel  17 , thereby preventing steering operating beyond a rudder deflection angle limit. 
         [0072]    In the illustrated embodiments, the outboard motor  12  is used as the propulsion unit. It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to this configuration, but may also or instead use an inboard-outdrive arrangement. Further, the foregoing embodiment includes the operation status detection means  38 , the running status detection means  39 , the outboard motor status recognition means  40  and the electric motor status detection means  41 . However, acceptable embodiments may include only one, or more, of such detectors. Still further, the particular structure of the steering device and configuration of the steering motor has been employed to illustrate inventive principles. Such principles can still be employed with other steering structures and steering motor configurations. 
         [0073]    Although this invention has been disclosed in the context of certain preferred embodiments and examples, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention extends beyond the specifically disclosed embodiments to other alternative embodiments and/or uses of the invention and obvious modifications and equivalents thereof. In addition, while a number of variations of the invention have been shown and described in detail, other modifications, which are within the scope of this invention, will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art based upon this disclosure. It is also contemplated that various combinations or subcombinations of the specific features and aspects of the embodiments may be made and still fall within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, it should be understood that various features and aspects of the disclosed embodiments can be combined with or substituted for one another in order to form varying modes of the disclosed invention. Thus, it is intended that the scope of the present invention herein disclosed should not be limited by the particular disclosed embodiments described above, but should be determined only by a fair reading of the claims that follow.