Patent ID: 7404369

Claim:
A watercraft steer-by-wireless control system comprising: a directional control system responsive to a directional command signal for steering a watercraft, said directional control system including a rudder position sensor to measure and transmit a rudder position signal and a helm control system responsive to a helm command signal for receiving a directional input to a helm control unit from an operator, said helm control system including a helm position sensor to produce and transmit a helm position signal to a master control unit in operable communication with said helm control system, and said directional control system; said master control unit includes a position control process for generating said directional command signal in response to said helm position signal; wherein said helm control unit wirelessly communicates with said helm control system, wherein said helm control unit is configured to receive tactile feedback via an external connection to a watercraft power supply; an input device receiving said directional input from the operator; a microprocessor receiving a sensed input signal in response to said input device; a wireless communications electronics wirelessly transmitting a command to said helm control system; a helm brake configured to provide tactile feedback to said input device in response to said helm brake coupled to said watercraft power supply of said watercraft; and a brake drive power electronics module coupled to said helm brake and disposed between said helm brake and said input device.