Patent ID: 7942712

Claim:
A boat propulsion system comprising: a power source arranged to generate a rotational force; a boat propulsion section having a propeller arranged to be driven by a rotational force of the power source to generate a propulsive force; a shift position switching mechanism arranged between the power source and the propulsion section and having a first clutch and a second clutch arranged to change an engagement state between the power source and the propulsion section, the shift position switching mechanism being arranged to switch among a first shift position in which the first clutch is engaged and the second clutch is disengaged so that the rotational force of the power source is transmitted to the propulsion section as a rotational force in a first rotational direction, a second shift position in which the first clutch is disengaged and the second clutch is engaged so that the rotational force of the power source is transmitted to the propulsion section as a rotational force in a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction, and a neutral position in which both the first clutch and the second clutch are disengaged so that the rotational force of the power source is not transmitted to the propulsion section; a clutch actuator arranged to engage and disengage each of the first clutch and the second clutch; and a control section arranged to control the clutch actuator; wherein when a gear shift is to be made from the first shift position to the second shift position, the control section causes the clutch actuator to gradually increase an engagement force of the second clutch.