Method and system for steering watercraft

1. A method of steering a watercraft propulsion device mounted to a transom plate of a watercraft, the propulsion device having a steering input device configured for operation by an operator of the watercraft and a steering drive unit configured to allow the watercraft propulsion device to swivel about a swivel shaft, the propulsion device having a forward drive mode, the method comprising the steps of:

detecting a displacement of the steering input device;

detecting which of a plurality of predetermined steering system forward drive mode response performance options has been selected by an operator of the watercraft, each of the plurality of predetermined steering system forward drive mode response performance options corresponding to different steering factors indicative of the amount of actuation of the steering drive unit, the different steering factors defining different direct relationships between the displacement of the steering input device and a rotational position of the propulsion device about the swivel shaft during operation of the propulsion device at least in the forward drive mode;

calculating a steering control amount for the steering drive unit in accordance with the degree displacement of the steering input device and the selected predetermined steering system response performance option; and

operating the steering drive unit based on the calculated steering control amount.

2. The steering control method according to claim 1 , wherein each of the steering factors includes at least one of a response speed to the steering operation and an amount of response to the steering operation angle.

3. The steering control method of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of predetermined steering system forward drive mode response performance options includes at least two of a cruising mode, a trolling mode, and a sports running mode.

4. The steering control method of claim 2 , wherein the plurality of predetermined steering system forward drive mode response performance options includes at least two of a cruising mode, a trolling mode, and a sports running mode.

5. The steering control method according to claim 1 , wherein the steering drive unit comprises an electric motor.

6. The steering control method according to claim 2 , wherein the steering drive unit comprises an electric motor.

7. The steering control method according to claim 4 , wherein the steering drive unit comprises an electric motor.

8. The steering control method according to claim 1 , wherein each of the steering factors includes at least one of a delay value and a gain value.

9. The steering control method according to claim 1 , wherein the watercraft propulsion device comprises a propeller.

10. A method of steering a watercraft having a hull, marine propulsion device, the propulsion device being mounted so as to swivel and thus change its rotational position relative to the hull, the propulsion device having a steering input device configured for operation by an operator of the watercraft, the propulsion device having a forward drive mode, the method comprising the steps of:

detecting an input to the steering input device;

detecting which of a plurality of predetermined steering system forward drive mode response performance options has been selected, each of the plurality of predetermined steering forward drive mode system response performance options defining a different direct relationship between the rotational position of the propulsion device and inputs into the steering input device during operation of the propulsion device at least in the forward drive mode;

calculating a steering control amount in accordance with the input of the steering input device and the detected steering system response performance option, where the predetermined steering system response performance option is selected by the operator; and

changing the angular position of the marine propulsion device relative to the hull based on the calculated steering control amount so as to steer the watercraft.

11. The steering control method of claim 10 , wherein the plurality of predetermined steering system forward drive mode response performance options includes at least two of a cruising mode, a trolling mode, and a sports running mode.

12. The steering control method of claim 10 , wherein the marine propulsion device comprises an outboard motor.

13. The steering control method of claim 10 , wherein the input device comprises a joystick.

14. The steering control method of claim 10 , wherein the input device comprises a wheel.

15. The steering control method of claim 10 , wherein the input device comprises an electronic device.

16. The steering control method according to claim 1 , wherein at least two of the different steering factors include different response speeds to changes in displacement of the steering input device during operation of the propulsion device in the forward drive mode.

17. The steering control method according to claim 10 , wherein at least two of the of the plurality of predetermined steering system forward drive mode response performance options define different response speeds to inputs to the steering input device during operation of the propulsion device in the forward drive mode.

18. The steering control method according to claim 1 , wherein at least two of the different steering factors include different delay values relating to responses to changes in displacement of the steering input device during operation of the propulsion device in the forward drive mode.

19. The steering control method according to claim 10 , wherein at least two of the of the plurality of predetermined steering system forward drive mode response performance options define different delay values relating to responses to inputs to the steering input device during operation of the propulsion device in the forward drive mode.