Boat maneuverability and stability control systems and methods

Abstract

Boat handling and control systems and methods related to one or more of steering and propulsion of a pontoon boat.

1 - 30 . (canceled) 
     
     
         31 . A pontoon boat, comprising:
 a plurality of water support members;   a frame supported by the plurality of water support members;   a water propulsion system coupled to the frame to propel the pontoon boat through the water according to an adjustable torque output and an adjustable thrust direction;   an operator interface including an operator steering input and a thrust demand input;   an electronic controller operatively coupled to the operator interface and the water propulsion system, the electronic controller altering at least one of the adjustable torque output or the adjustable thrust direction based on:
 a weight distribution of the pontoon boat; and 
 at least one of the operator steering input or the thrust demand input. 
   
     
     
         32 . The pontoon boat of  claim 31 , wherein:
 the operator interface includes at least one input to receive a weight distribution characteristic of the pontoon boat; and   the electronic controller is configured to determine the weight distribution of the pontoon boat based on the received weight distribution characteristic.   
     
     
         33 . The pontoon boat of  claim 32 , wherein the weight distribution characteristic includes:
 an indication of a first number of passengers at a front of the pontoon boat; and   an indication of a second number of passengers at a rear of the pontoon boat.   
     
     
         34 . The pontoon boat of  claim 31 , further comprising at least one sensor operatively coupled to the electronic controller, wherein the electronic controller is configured to determine the weight distribution of the pontoon boat using the at least one sensor. 
     
     
         35 . The pontoon boat of  claim 34 , wherein the at least one sensor comprises a weight sensor corresponding to a seat supported by the frame of the pontoon boat. 
     
     
         36 . The pontoon boat of  claim 34 , wherein the at least one sensor comprises a pressure sensor corresponding to a seat supported by the frame of the pontoon boat. 
     
     
         37 . The pontoon boat of  claim 34 , wherein the at least one sensor comprises a camera supported by the frame that is configured to detect a position for a passenger of the pontoon boat. 
     
     
         38 . The pontoon boat of  claim 34 , wherein:
 the at least one sensor comprises an inertial measurement unit (IMU); and   the electronic controller determines the weight distribution of the pontoon boat based on sensor readings from the IMU.   
     
     
         39 . The pontoon boat of  claim 31 , wherein altering the at least one of the adjustable torque output or the adjustable thrust direction comprises:
 identifying a conflict between operator input received via the operator interface and a manipulation generated based on the weight distribution of the pontoon boat; and   determining an actual manipulation for the pontoon boat based on the operator input and the generated manipulation.   
     
     
         40 . A method of operating a pontoon boat for navigation on water, the method comprising:
 determining a weight distribution of the pontoon boat;   receiving, via an operator interface of the pontoon boat, operator input comprising at least one of an operator steering input and a thrust demand input; and   altering at least one of an adjustable torque output or an adjustable thrust direction of a water propulsion system of the pontoon boat based on the determined weight distribution of the pontoon boat and the received operator input.   
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein determining the weight distribution of the pontoon boat comprises receiving a weight distribution characteristic of the pontoon boat via the operator interface. 
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein the received weight distribution characteristic includes:
 an indication of a first number of passengers at a front of the pontoon boat; and   an indication of a second number of passengers at a rear of the pontoon boat.   
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein the weight distribution is determined using at least one sensor of the pontoon boat. 
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 43 , wherein the at least one sensor comprises at least one of a weight sensor or a pressure sensor corresponding to a seat of the pontoon boat. 
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 43 , wherein the at least one sensor comprises a camera for detecting a position for a passenger of the pontoon boat. 
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 43 , wherein the at least one sensor comprises an inertial measurement unit. 
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein altering the at least one of the adjustable torque output or the adjustable thrust direction comprises:
 identifying a conflict between an instance of operator input received via the operator interface and a manipulation generated based on the weight distribution of the pontoon boat; and   determining an actual manipulation for the pontoon boat based on the operator input and the generated manipulation.   
     
     
         48 . A pontoon boat, comprising:
 a plurality of water support members;   a frame supported by the plurality of water support members;   a water propulsion system coupled to the frame to propel the pontoon boat through the water according to an adjustable torque output and an adjustable thrust direction;   at least one sensor supported by the frame;   an operator interface including an operator steering input and a thrust demand input;   an electronic controller operatively coupled to the at least one sensor, the operator interface, and the water propulsion system, the electronic controller configured to:
 determine, using the at least one sensor, a weight distribution of the pontoon boat; 
 receive, via an operator interface of the pontoon boat, operator input comprising at least one of an operator steering input and a thrust demand input; and 
 alter at least one of an adjustable torque output or an adjustable thrust direction of a water propulsion system of the pontoon boat based on the determined weight distribution of the pontoon boat and the received operator input. 
   
     
     
         49 . The pontoon boat of  claim 48 , wherein the at least one sensor comprises a weight sensor or a pressure sensor corresponding to a seat of the pontoon boat. 
     
     
         50 . The pontoon boat of  claim 48 , wherein the at least one sensor comprises an inertial measurement unit.