Patent ID: 7263943

Claim:
A steering system for an outboard motor mounted on a stem of a boat and having an internal combustion engine and a propeller with a rudder powered by the engine to propel and steer the boat, said steering system comprising: a steering wheel installed near a seat for an operator of the boat, said steering wheel provided to be manipulated by the operator; a steering angle sensor installed near the steering wheel for outputting a signal indicative of a detected steering angle of the steering wheel; a swivel shaft connected to the propeller for turning the propeller relative to the boat; an actuator connected to the swivel shaft for rotating the swivel shaft in response to the detected steering angle; and a manipulation load regulation mechanism capable of producing an added load for increasing a manipulation load experienced at the steering wheel by the operator; wherein the manipulation load regulation mechanism comprises a hydraulic damper operatively connected to the steering wheel, for increasing the manipulation load of the steering wheel.