Steering device for small watercraft
In a steering device for a small watercraft that has at least two outboard motors which propulsive directions and propulsive forces are individually controllable. The steering device can have a steering wheel that can be inclined relative to an axis of a steering shaft in any directions including a fore to aft direction and a transverse direction. A control unit that controls shift units and throttle units of the outboard motors so that a hull moves toward a side that is directed by the inclination of the steering wheel.
1. A steering device for a small watercraft comprising at least two outboard motors, the steering device comprising a steering unit configured to be rotatable about a steering axis and tiltable relative to the steering axis, a control unit configured to individually control propulsive directions and propulsive forces of each of the outboard motors, the control unit being configured to control shift units and throttle units of each of the outboard motors so that a hull of the watercraft moves toward a side of the hull in accordance with a tilting angle of the steering unit, wherein the control unit is configured to control the respective outboard motors in response to the tilting angle only under a condition that a speed of the watercraft is slower than a preset speed.
2. The steering device for a small watercraft according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit is configured to control propulsive force in response to an angle of inclination of the steering unit.
3. The steering device for a small watercraft according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit is configured to control the respective outboard motors so that the hull makes an immediate turn on a spot with an operation of the steering unit when the steering unit is rotated about the steering axis while the watercraft moves in a speed slower than a preset speed.
4. The steering device for a small watercraft according to claim 1 , wherein the speed of the watercraft is an estimated speed that is computed from an engine speed or a throttle opening.
5. A steering device for a small watercraft comprising at least two outboard motors, the steering device comprising a steering unit configured to be rotatable about a steering axis and tiltable relative to the steering axis, a control unit configured to individually control propulsive directions and propulsive forces of each of the outboard motors, the control unit being configured to control shift units and throttle units of each of the outboard motors so that a hull of the watercraft moves toward a side of the hull in accordance with a tilting angle of the steering unit, wherein the control unit is configured to control the respective outboard motors so that the hull makes an immediate turn on a spot with an operation of the steering unit when the steering unit is rotated about the steering axis while the watercraft moves in a speed slower than a preset speed, and wherein the speed of the watercraft is an estimated speed that is computed from an engine speed or a throttle opening.
6. A steering device for a small watercraft comprising at least two outboard motors, the steering device comprising a steering unit configured to be rotatable about a steering axis and tiltable relative to the steering axis, a control unit configured to individually control propulsive directions and propulsive forces of each of the outboard motors, the control unit being configured to control shift units and throttle units of each of the outboard motors so that a hull of the watercraft moves toward a side of the hull in accordance with a tilting angle of the steering unit, wherein the steering unit has a display monitor, and a moving direction of the hull is shown on the display monitor.
7. The steering device for a small watercraft according to claim 6 , wherein a magnitude of the propulsive force generated when the hull moves is shown on the display monitor.