BOATS WITH MULTIPLE MARINE DRIVES USED TO GENERATE A DESIRED WAKE AND ASSOCIATED METHODS

Abstract

A boat including a propulsion system and methods of operating the boat to produce a surfable wake. The propulsion system has a port propulsion unit and a starboard propulsion unit, each including a propulsor and a motor. The port propulsion unit and the starboard propulsion unit can be operated or oriented differently from each other. The propulsor on the surf side of the boat can be positioned in a first trim position and the propulsor on the non-surf side of the boat can be positioned in a second trim position, with the first trim position being higher than the second trim position. The motor on the surf-side of the boat can be operated at a first speed and the motor on the non-surf-side the boat operated at a second speed. An angle of toe can be set between the port propulsor and the starboard propulsor.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The inventions relate to boats used for water sports, especially wake surfing, and methods of using such boats.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Recreational boats are often used for water sports, such as water skiing, wakeboarding, wake surfing, and the like. The optimal wake for the boat depends on which of these water sports a boat is used for, as well as the preferences and skill level of the water sports participant. Water skiers generally prefer a relatively smooth water surface, while wakeboarders and wake surfers desire bigger wakes and wakes with more defined shapes. Wake surfers generally prefer a large wake that is shaped similarly to ocean waves.

Over the last decade or so, the sport of wake surfing has gained in popularity. The trend has been to load boats evenly with a large amount ballast and deploy a mechanical surf device to create a wake for surfing. Examples of such surf devices are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,833,286; 9,802,684; and 10,358,189 and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2019/0118907, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the invention relates to a boat including a propulsion system having a port propulsion unit and a starboard propulsion unit. The boat can be configured for surfing, and, when configured for surfing, the port propulsion unit and the starboard propulsion unit are operated or oriented differently from each other in a way that produces or enhances the surfable wake.

In another aspect, the invention relates to methods of operating a boat for wake surfing or to produce a surfable wake. The boat includes a propulsion system having a port propulsion unit and a starboard propulsion unit and the method includes operating or positioning the port propulsion unit and the starboard propulsion unit differently from each other in a way that produces or enhances the surfable wake.

The port propulsion unit and the starboard propulsion unit can include trimmable drive units that are positioned at different trim angles to produce or enhance the surfable wake.

The port propulsion unit and the starboard propulsion unit can be operated in a way that produces differential thrust.

The port propulsion unit and the starboard propulsion can be oriented to direct the thrust in a direction other than parallel to each other, such as by adjusting the toe of the drive unit or rudder of the propulsion unit.

In a further aspect, the invention relates to a boat including a propulsion system, a user input device, and a controller communicatively coupled to the user input device. The propulsion system includes a port propulsion unit and a starboard propulsion unit. The port propulsion unit is positioned on a port side of a centerline of the boat. The port propulsion unit includes a port propulsor that is trimmable and capable of being positioned in a plurality of trim positions. The starboard propulsion unit is positioned on a starboard side of the centerline of the boat. The starboard propulsion unit includes a starboard propulsor that is trimmable and capable of being positioned in a plurality of trim positions. The user input device includes at least one of a first user-selectable option for wake surfing behind the boat on the port side of the centerline of the boat or a second user-selectable option for wake surfing behind the boat on the starboard side of the centerline of the boat. If the first user-selectable option is selected, the port side of the boat is the surf side of the boat and the starboard side of the boat is a non-surf side of the boat. If the second user-selectable option is selected, the starboard side of the boat is the surf side of the boat and the port side of the boat is the non-surf side of the boat. The controller is configured such that when either the first or second user-selectable option is selected, the controller causes the propulsor on the surf side of the boat to be positioned in a first trim position and causes the propulsor on the non-surf side of the boat to be positioned in a second trim position. The first trim position is higher than the second trim position.

In a further aspect, the invention relates to a boat including a propulsion system, a user input device, and a controller communicatively coupled to the user input device. The propulsion system includes a port propulsion unit and a starboard propulsion unit. The port propulsion unit is positioned on a port side of a centerline of the boat. The port propulsion unit includes a port propulsor and a port motor operatively coupled to the port propulsor. The starboard propulsion unit is positioned on a starboard side of the centerline of the boat. The starboard propulsion unit includes a starboard propulsor and a starboard motor operatively coupled to the starboard propulsor. The user input device includes at least one of a first user-selectable option for wake surfing behind the boat on the port side of the centerline of the boat or a second user-selectable option for wake surfing behind the boat on the starboard side of the centerline of the boat. If the first user-selectable option is selected, the port side of the boat is the surf side of the boat and the starboard side of the boat is a non-surf side of the boat. If the second user-selectable option is selected, the starboard side of the boat is the surf side of the boat and the port side of the boat is the non-surf side of the boat. The controller is configured such that when either the first or second user-selectable option is selected, the controller causes the motor on the surf-side of the boat to operate at a first speed and causes the motor on the non-surf-side of the boat to operate at a second speed. The first speed and the second speed are different from each other.

In a further aspect, the invention relates to a boat including a propulsion system, a user input device, and a controller communicatively coupled to the user input device. The propulsion system includes a port propulsion unit and a starboard propulsion unit. The port propulsion unit is positioned on a port side of a centerline of the boat. The port propulsion unit includes a port propulsor that is pivotable in the port and starboard direction. The starboard propulsion unit is positioned on a starboard side of the centerline of the boat. The starboard propulsion unit includes a starboard propulsor pivotable in the port and starboard direction. The user input device includes a user-selectable option for wake surfing behind the boat. The controller is configured such that when the user-selectable option for wake surfing behind the boat is selected, the controller causes at least one of the port propulsor and the starboard propulsor to pivot in the port and starboard direction to set an angle of toe between the port propulsor and the starboard propulsor.

In a further aspect, the invention relates to a method of operating a boat to produce a surfable wake for wake surfing behind the boat. The boat includes a propulsion system including a port propulsion unit and a starboard propulsion unit. The port propulsion unit includes a port propulsor that is trimmable and capable of being positioned in a plurality of trim positions. The starboard propulsion unit is positioned on a starboard side of the centerline of the boat. The starboard propulsion unit includes a starboard propulsor that is trimmable and capable of being positioned in a plurality of trim positions. When the port side of the boat is the surf side of the boat, the starboard side of the boat is a non-surf side of the boat, and when the starboard side of the boat is the surf side of the boat, the port side of the boat is a non-surf side of the boat. The method includes positioning the propulsor on the surf side of the boat to be in a first trim position and positioning the propulsor on the non-surf side of the boat to be in a second trim position. The first trim position is higher than the second trim position.

In a further aspect, the invention relates to a method of operating a boat to produce a surfable wake for wake surfing behind the boat. The boat includes a propulsion system including a port propulsion unit and a starboard propulsion unit. The port propulsion unit includes a port propulsor and a port motor operatively coupled to the port propulsor. The starboard propulsion unit includes a starboard propulsor and a starboard motor operatively coupled to the starboard propulsor. When the port side of the boat is the surf side of the boat, the starboard side of the boat is a non-surf side of the boat, and when the starboard side of the boat is the surf side of the boat, the port side of the boat is a non-surf side of the boat. The method includes operating the motor on the surf-side of the boat at a first speed and operating the motor on the non-surf-side of the boat at a second speed. The first speed and the second speed are different from each other.

In a further aspect, the invention relates to a method of operating a boat to produce a surfable wake for wake surfing behind the boat. The boat includes a propulsion system including a port propulsion unit and a starboard propulsion unit. The port propulsion unit includes a port propulsor that is pivotable in the port and starboard direction. The starboard propulsion unit includes a starboard propulsor that is pivotable in the port and starboard direction. The method includes pivoting at least one of the port propulsor and the starboard propulsor in the port and starboard direction to set an angle of toe between the port propulsor and the starboard propulsor.

These and other aspects of the invention will become apparent from the following disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a port side view of a boat according to a preferred embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the boat shown in FIG. 1, showing the stern of the boat.

FIG. 3 is a detail view of a control console for operating the boat.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are port side views of the stern of the boat shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 4A shows an outdrive of a propulsion unit of the boat in a tucked position. FIG. 4B shows the outdrive of the propulsion unit in a trimmed-out position.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are schematic, top views of the boat shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 5A shows both outdrives of the propulsion unit in a toed-in position, and FIG. 5B shows the port outdrive in a toed-out position.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a lower part of the transom of the boat. The outdrives are omitted in FIG. 6 for clarity.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As used herein, directional terms forward (fore), aft, inboard, and outboard have their commonly understood meaning in the art. Relative to the boat, forward is a direction toward the bow, and aft is a direction toward the stern. Likewise, inboard is a direction toward the center of the boat, and outboard is a direction away from it.

The terms “coupled,” “fixed,” “attached,” “connected,” and the like refer to both direct coupling, fixing, attaching, or connecting, as well as indirect coupling, fixing, attaching, or connecting through one or more intermediate components or features, unless otherwise specified herein.

As discussed above, boats may be loaded evenly with a large amount ballast and a mechanical surf device may be deployed to create a wake for surfing. Many of these boats include propulsion systems with a single propulsion unit (single marine propulsion device). When the boat is moved through the water using the propulsion device the boat generates a wake. The wake may include a port-side wave and a starboard-side wave. The port-side wave and the starboard-side wave may also be referred to as a port-side wake and a starboard-side wake, respectively. By operating the surf device(s), the wake may be made suitable for wake surfing, generating a surfable wake (or surfable wave). The surfable wake may include both the port-side wave and the starboard-side wave being suitable for wake surfing, or one side of the wake (one of the port-side wave and the starboard-side wave) may be more suitable for wake surfing than the other side of the wake. For example, when the starboard-side wave is more suitable for wake surfing, the starboard-side wave may push a surfer and, more specifically, a surfboard of the surfer forward. The side of the boat with the more desirable wave for wake surfing is referred to as a surf side, and the side opposite the surf side is referred to as the non-surf side.

The boats discussed herein have a propulsion system with two or more propulsion units (marine propulsion devices): one located on the port side of the boat's centerline and another located on a starboard side of the boat's centerline. When the boat is configured for surfing, the port propulsion unit and the starboard propulsion unit are operated or oriented differently from each other in a way that produces or enhances the surfable wake. In embodiments discussed herein, the port propulsion unit and the starboard propulsion unit may include trimmable drive units that are positioned at different trim angles to produce or enhance the surfable wake. In other embodiments, the port propulsion unit and the starboard propulsion unit are each operated in a way that produces differential thrust. In still other embodiments, the port propulsion unit and the starboard propulsion are each oriented to direct the thrust in a direction other than parallel to each other, such as by adjusting the toe of the drive unit or rudder of the propulsion unit. Although these embodiments are discussed separately in the following discussion, these embodiments, and various features and components thereof, may be combined to produce or enhance the surfable wake.

Some features and components of the embodiments discussed herein are the same or similar between the different embodiments. A common reference character will be used to refer to such features and components, and a detailed description of such features and components may be made in one embodiment and omitted from others.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show a boat 100 equipped with a propulsion system 200 that may be used to produce or enhance the surfable wake. FIG. 1 is a port side view of the boat 100, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the boat 100, showing the stern of the boat 100. The boat 100 of this embodiment includes a hull 110 having a bow 111, a transom 113 (see FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 6), a hull bottom 115, a port side 117, and a starboard side 119 (see FIGS. 5A and 5B). The hull bottom 115 includes the portions of the hull 110 between the chines. The boat 100 has a centerline 102 running down the middle of the boat 100, halfway between the port side 117 and the starboard side 119. Collectively, the bow 111, the transom 113, and the port and starboard sides 117, 119 define an interior 120 of the boat 100. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the boat 100 is a bowrider having both a bow seating area 122 positioned in the bow 111 of the boat 100 and a primary seating area 124 (sometimes also referred to as the cockpit) positioned aft of a windshield 104. Within the boat's interior 120 is a control console 130 for operating the boat 100. Here, the control console 130 is positioned on the starboard side of the boat 100 proximate to and aft of the windshield 104. Suitable boats 100 may include those manufactured by Aviara Boats, LLC of Merritt Island, Florida. Although described in reference to a bowrider, the embodiments discussed herein may be used with any suitable boat including cuddies, center consoles, and cruisers, for example. Various embodiments discussed herein may also be suitable for use with other boats such as pontoon boats.

The boat 100 may include a horizontal swim platform 106 connected to the stern of the boat 100 to make it easier for people to get into the water from the boat 100 or into the boat 100 from the water. The swim platform 106 should be capable of supporting a human and is preferably capable of supporting at least 500 lbs., and even more preferably 1250 lbs. The swim platform 106 may be constructed from any suitable material that may be used in a marine environment including, for example, fiberglass or teak. In this embodiment, the swim platform 106 is integrally formed with the stern of the boat 100, but the swim platform 106 can be an attachable/detachable platform that is attached to the transom 113 of the boat 100 using, for example, two brackets screwed to the transom 113.

The boat 100 is equipped with an apparatus for towing a water sports participant. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the towing apparatus is integrated into a hardtop cover 142, but other suitable towing apparatuses may be used including, for example, the towers shown and described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 9,580,155 and 10,150,540, which are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties. The hardtop cover 142 is supported by two legs: a port leg 144 and a starboard leg 146. The port leg 144 is attached to the boat 100 on the port side of the longitudinal centerline 102 of the boat 100, and the starboard leg 146 is attached to the boat 100 on the starboard side of the longitudinal centerline 102 of the boat 100. Preferably, the port and starboard legs 144, 146 are attached to an upper surface (such as gunwales) above the port side 117 of the hull 110 and the starboard side 119 of the hull 110, respectively. The hardtop cover 142 is connected to an upper portion of each of the two legs 144, 146 and spans the interior 120 of the boat 100 at a height suitable for passengers to pass underneath while standing. The hardtop cover 142 also extends forward and aft over a portion of the primary seating area 124 to provide shade. In addition, the hardtop cover 142 has a tow-line-attachment structure 148 at an aft portion of the hardtop cover 142. This tow-line-attachment structure 148 may be used to connect a tow-line suitable for towing a water sports participant, such as a wake surfer. Any suitable tow-line-attachment structure may be used, including but not limited to the integrated light and tow-line-attachment assembly disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,539,886, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

The boat 100 may include the capability to add ballast. Ballast may be used to increase the weight and displacement of the boat 100 and increase the size of the wake for water sports such as wake surfing. Any suitable means to add ballast may be used, including ballast bags (sacks) and/or ballast tanks. The boat 100 shown in FIG. 1 includes three ballast tanks. Two are shown in FIG. 1 and the other ballast tank (and remaining portion of the ballast system) is schematically shown in FIG. 4. Preferably, at least two ballast tanks are positioned in the stern of the boat 100, aft of longitudinal center of gravity. The two stern ballast tanks can be position with one on each side of the boat (a port ballast tank 152 and a starboard ballast tank 154). The port ballast tank 152 and the starboard ballast tank 154 can be positioned near the bottom of the hull 110. A third ballast tank (referred to herein as a center ballast tank 156) is positioned along the boat's centerline 102 near the bottom of the hull 110, forward of the two stern ballast tanks (the port ballast tank 152 and the starboard ballast tank 154). Ballast bags may be used in addition to the ballast tanks and may be plumbed into the ballast system of the boat 100. The ballast bags may be positioned in various compartments within the boat 100.

Each of the ballast tanks (the port ballast tank 152, the starboard ballast tank 154, and the center ballast tank 156) may be filled with water from the body of water in which the boat 100 sits by using a ballast fill-and-drain system. Adding water adds ballast to the boat 100. For example, a through-hull penetration corresponds to each of the ballast tanks. A valve, such as a seacock, is located at the through-hull penetration and can be opened and closed to isolate each ballast tank and its associated fill-and-drain components. At least one fill/drain line connects each ballast tank to a corresponding valve. A ballast pump 158 is located in each fill/drain line between the valve and the corresponding ballast tank. The ballast pump 158 may be operated to pump water from the body of water in which the boat sits into its corresponding ballast tank via the fill/drain line. The ballast pumps 158 used herein are preferably self-priming, reversible impeller pumps. This allows the ballast pump 158 to also be operated in a reverse direction to drain (discharge) water from the corresponding ballast tank, instead of, for example, using one pump to fill and another pump to drain. Each of the ballast tanks can be vented via a vent line that connects to the top of each ballast tank and allows the tank to be vented to the atmosphere. This vent line may also be used as an overflow to identify when the ballast tank is completely filled. Although the ballast tanks described herein are filled using the ballast pump 158, other suitable fill-and-drain systems may be used, including, for example, a water scoop in addition to or instead of the ballast pump 158 and through-hull penetration.

Returning back to FIGS. 1 and 2, the propulsion system 200 includes a plurality of propulsion units. In this embodiment, the propulsion system 200 includes two propulsion units, a port propulsion unit 202 and a starboard propulsion unit 204. The port propulsion unit 202 is positioned on the port side of the boat 100 (port side of the centerline 102 of the boat 100) and the starboard propulsion unit 204 is positioned on the starboard side of the boat 100 (starboard side of the centerline 102 of the boat 100). The port propulsion unit 202 and starboard propulsion unit 204 are preferably located symmetrically about the centerline 102 of the boat 100 and closer to the centerline 102 than either the respective port and starboard sides 117, 119 of the hull 110. In this embodiment, the port propulsion unit 202 and the starboard propulsion unit 204 are the same and the following description of the port propulsion unit 202 applies equally to the starboard propulsion unit 204.

The port propulsion unit 202 includes a motor 210 operatively coupled to a propulsor to drive the propulsor. In this embodiment, the motor 210 is a combustion engine, but other suitable motors may be used, including electrical motors. The port propulsion unit 202 shown in FIG. 1 is a sterndrive. The motor 210 of this embodiment is thus an inboard motor positioned inside the hull 110 of the boat 100. The motor 210 is coupled to an outdrive 220 (also referred to as a drive unit). The outdrive 220 includes a propeller 222 and, more specifically in the outdrives 220 depicted in FIG. 1, two counter-rotating propellers 222. In this embodiment, the two counter-rotating propellers 222 are the propulsor of the port propulsion unit 202. The motor 210 is drivingly coupled to the propellers 222 by a drive train in the outdrive 220. The outdrive 220 is attached to the transom 113 of the boat and extends aft of the transom 113. The sterndrive (port propulsion unit 202) shown in FIG. 1 is a so-called forward drive with propellers 222 positioned on the forward side of the outdrive 220, as opposed to the rear (aft) side of the outdrive 220. Suitable forward-facing sterndrives include, for example, the Bravo Four S Forward-Facing Drive produced by Mercury Marine of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, and the forward drives produced by Volvo Penta of Gothenburg, Sweden. Although forward drives may be preferred for the wake surfing applications discussed herein, other drives, such as rear-facing drives with the propeller(s) positioned on the rear (aft) side of the outdrive may be used.

The outdrive 220 is pivotably connected to the transom 113, and in the embodiments discussed herein, the outdrive 220 is movable in multiple directions as discussed further below. More specifically, the outdrives 220 discussed herein are pivotable in port and starboard directions and also trimmable (pivotable in a down and forward direction and in an up and aft direction). One or more movement mechanisms, such as an actuator, may be used to pivot the outdrive 220, as discussed herein. Suitable actuators include electric linear actuators, hydraulic linear actuators (hydraulic cylinders), and gas assist pneumatic actuators. Moving or pivoting the outdrive 220 moves the propellers 222 and thus controls the direction of thrust produced by the propellers 222.

Although described herein with the propulsion units being sterndrives, the embodiments discussed herein may also be implemented using other propulsion units such as an outboard (outboard motor) or, in some embodiments, an inboard (inboard boat). When an outboard motor is used, the outboard preferably includes forward-facing propellers on the drive unit. When an outboard is used, the outboard may be pivotably attached to the transom 113 or aft thereof, and the outboard is pivotable in a manner similar to the outdrives 220 discussed herein. The motor and drive unit of the outboard may thus be located aft of the transom 113.

FIG. 3 is a detail view of the control console 130 for operating the boat 100. In this embodiment, one or more motor control levers 212 are used to control the speed of the motor 210 and engage the motor 210 with the propellers 222. Where the motor 210 is an internal combustion engine, the motor control lever 212 may operate a thottle of the engine. The motor control lever 212 has a neutral position, and the user may move the motor control lever 212 forward from the neutral position to engage the motor 210 with the propellers 222, to accelerate the motor 210 to a desired rotational speed, and to rotate the propellers 222 in a direction to drive the boat 100 forward. To move the boat 100 in reverse, the user may move the motor control lever 212 back from the neutral position to engage the motor 210 with the propellers 222, to accelerate the motor 210, and to rotate the propellers 222 in a direction to drive the boat 100 in reverse. Other suitable means may be used to operate the motor 210 and engage it with the propellers 222.

A steering wheel 214 is located at the control console 130. A user may turn the boat 100 by rotating the steering wheel 214. As noted above, the outdrives 220 are pivotable in the port direction and the starboard direction, and the outdrives 220 may be pivoted in the port direction and the starboard direction to steer the boat 100. The outdrives 220 can be pivoted by using one or more steering actuators for each outdrive 220. Suitable steering actuators include, for example, hydraulic actuators. Hydraulic steering is used in this embodiment, although any suitable steering mechanism may be used, including electric steering, for example. The steering wheel 214 is a steering control that receives a steering input from the user to turn the boat 100 in a direction of turn.

As shown schematically in FIG. 3, the boat 100 also includes a controller 160. The controller 160 may be housed within the control console 130 and used to control various features of the boat 100 including, for example, the propulsion system and various components thereof; the drain-and-fill system for the ballast, including the ballast pump 158; and the surf devices 172, 174 (FIG. 6), including the drive mechanism 176. In this embodiment, the controller 160 is a microprocessor-based controller that includes a processor 162 for performing various functions, discussed further below, and a memory 164 for storing various data. The controller 160 may also be referred to as a CPU. In one embodiment, the various methods discussed below may be implemented by way of a series of instructions stored in the memory 164 and executed by the processor 162.

The controller 160 may be communicatively coupled to at least one display screen 132, which, in the embodiment depicted in FIG. 3, is a rectangular, touchscreen display that is in a portrait orientation. A plurality of user-selectable controls (options) may be displayed on the display screen 132 that enable a user to operate various features of the boat 100, discussed herein. The display screen 132 is thus an example of an input device 166 to which the controller 160 is communicatively coupled to receive input therefrom. The plurality of user-selectable options are icons displayed on the display screen 132 may be selected by a user pressing the icon. The terms icon, virtual button, and button may be used interchangeably herein. Such user-selectable options may include, for example, options to adjust the trim of the outdrives 220. Other input devices 166 (controls) include static buttons and switches 134. The buttons and switches 134 may be used to control various aspects of the boat 100. For example, one or more switches may be a trim switch use to adjust the trim of one or both outdrives 220. The trim switch is a trim input control that generates a trim adjustment input, and as discussed in more detail below, the controller 160 adjusts the trim in response to the trim adjustment input. In the depicted embodiment, the motor control lever 212 and steering wheel 214 also are input devices 166.

The memory 164 may store preprogrammed or user-defined wake surf configurations, also referred to as profiles. The surf profiles may include settings for the ballast; the position of the surf devices 172, 174, if used; the position of the outdrive 220, as discussed below; the speed of the boat 100; and/or the motor speed offset, as discussed below. The speed of the boat 100 for such a setting may be operated by cruise control. When activated, such as by a profile or when a user selects the cruise control, the controller 160 activates cruise control at the set speed stored in the memory 164 of the controller 160. Any suitable cruise control may be used, including, for example, GPS-based Zero Off® cruise control by Enovation Controls of Tulsa, Oklahoma, in which the controller 160 operates the motor to maintain the boat 100 at the set speed based on the speed of the boat received by a GPS system. For the embodiments discussed herein, the set speed for the cruise control is a speed suitable for surfing, preferably between 9 mph to 12 mph. The cruise control and the motor control lever 212 are each a speed input control that generates a speed input that can be received by the controller 160 and used in the manner discussed further below.

As noted above, a user may select one of a plurality of surf profiles or user-selectable options that configures the boat 100 for surfing. Such surf profiles may include one or more profiles for surfing on the port side of the boat (“surf left”) and/or one or more profiles for surfing on the starboard side of the boat (“surf right”). When a surf left profile is selected, the port side of the boat 100 is the surf side and the starboard side of the boat 100 is the non-surf side. When a surf right profile is selected, the starboard side of the boat 100 is the surf side and the port side of the boat 100 is the non-surf side. Although embodiments discussed herein preferably use a surf profile, the embodiments are not so limited and the methods and boats described herein may be implemented by other options for positioning and operating the port propulsion unit 202 and the starboard propulsion unit 204. The surf profiles also may include profiles for various types of waves. For example, the surf profiles may include a steep profile (a first wake surf setting) and a mellow (less steep) profile (a second wake surf setting) for surfing on one side of the boat 100 (e.g., surf left steep, surf left mellow, surf right steep, and surf right mellow). The steep profile and the mellow profile include different settings, as discussed further below, to generate different types of waves.

As note above, the surf side of the boat 100 is the side of the boat 100 with the more desirable wave for wake surfing, and the side opposite the surf side is referred to as the non-surf side. Thus as used herein, when the port side of the boat 100 is the surf side, the various port-side components (e.g., port propulsion unit) may be referred to as the surf-side components, and the various starboard-side components (e.g., starboard propulsion unit) may be referred to as the non-surf-side components. Similarly, when the starboard side of the boat 100 is the surf side, the various starboard-side components (e.g., starboard propulsion unit) may be referred to as the surf-side components, and the various port-side components (e.g., prot propulsion unit) may be referred to as the non-surf-side components. Additionally or alternatively, the control of the embodiments described herein may be executed using the controllers, input devices, and the like that are shown and described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,833,286; 9,802,684; and 10,358,189 and U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2018/0314487, 2019/0118907, and 2022/0089258, which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

As discussed above, the outdrive 220 is trimmable. The outdrive 220 may be trimmed in (trimmed down) by moving the outdrive 220 in a direction toward the hull 110 and thus pivoting the outdrive 220 in a forward direction. Similarly, the outdrive 220 may be trimmed out (trimmed up) by moving the outdrive 220 in a direction away from the hull 110, and thus pivoting the outdrive 220 in an aft direction. The outdrive 220 is pivotable between a trimmed-in position, which as discussed below is referred to herein as a fully tucked position, and a fully trimmed out position, which as discussed below is referred to herein as a fully raised position. The outdrive 220 may have a plurality of positions between the fully tucked position and fully raised position and thus may be positionable in a plurality of tucked positions and a plurality of raised positions. FIGS. 4A and 4B are port side views of the stern of the boat 100. FIG. 4A shows the outdrive 220 of the port propulsion unit 202 in a tucked position, and FIG. 4B shows the outdrive 220 of the port propulsion unit 202 in a raised position (a trimmed-out position).

The outdrive 220 is positionable in a neutral position, and the outdrive 220 is shown in the neutral position in FIG. 1. The propellers 222 are each connected to a propeller shaft and the propellers 222 (and corresponding shaft) rotate about a rotational axis 224. The propellers 222 accelerate a stream of water in both an aft direction and a forward direction, depending on their direction of rotation. When the propellers 222 rotate in a direction to accelerate a stream of water in the aft direction, the propellers 222 generate a force on the boat 100 in the forward direction of the boat 100. This accelerated stream of water is referred to herein as a forward race. Likewise, when the propellers 222 rotate in the opposite direction, the propellers accelerate a stream of water in the forward direction and generate a force on the boat 100 in the aft or reverse direction of the boat 100. This accelerated stream of water is referred to herein as a reverse race.

In this embodiment, the rotational axis 224 is parallel to the keel of the boat in the neutral position. Trimming the outdrive 220 in from the neutral position positions the outdrive 220 in a tucked position, as shown in FIG. 4A, and trimming the outdrive 220 out from the neutral position positions the outdrive 220 in a raised position. In the tucked position, the propeller shafts (rotational axis 224) and the forward race have a negative angle relative to the keel of the boat 100 and the neutral position, directing the forward race in a downward and aft direction relative to the keel of the boat 100. In the raised position, the propeller shafts (rotational axis 224) and the forward race have a positive angle relative to the keel of the boat 100 and neutral position, directing the forward race in an upward and aft direction relative to the keel of the boat 100.

In some embodiments, when a surf profile is activated, the outdrive 220 of the port propulsion unit 202 and the outdrive 220 of the starboard propulsion unit 204 are trimmed to different trim positions, as will be described in the following examples. Different wave profiles may result in a greater or lesser difference in the trim position between the outdrive 220 of the port propulsion unit 202 and the outdrive 220 of the starboard propulsion unit 204. For example, a steeper wave may have a greater difference in the trim position of the outdrive 220 of the port propulsion unit 202 and the outdrive 220 of the starboard propulsion unit 204 than a mellower wave, which may result in a smaller difference in the trim position of the outdrive 220 of the port propulsion unit 202 and the outdrive 220 of the starboard propulsion unit 204.

In a first example, the outdrive 220 on the surf side of the boat 100 may be moved to a predefined trim position, such as a raised position, while the outdrive 220 on the non-surf side of the boat 100 is positioned in a tucked position. Trim adjustments may be made while in the surf profile and the boat 100 is being moved through the water, such as at a speed suitable for surfing, and in this example with a surf profile selected, the trim adjustment while underway only changes the trim of the outdrive 220 on the surf side and the outdrive 220 on the non-surf side drive remains in the tucked position.

In a second example, each of the outdrives 220 is moved to a predefined trim position to establish a predefined trim offset between the outdrive 220 on the surf side of the boat 100 and the outdrive 220 on the non-surf side of the boat 100 when a surf profile is selected. Preferably in this example, the outdrive 220 on the surf side of the boat 100 is trimmed to a position that is higher than the outdrive 220 on the non-surf side of the boat 100. In this example, with a surf profile selected, the trim adjustment while underway changes the trim position of both outdrives 220 to maintain the predefined trim offset between the outdrive 220 on the surf side of the boat 100 and the outdrive 220 on the non-surf side of the boat 100. In this example, the default trim position of the outdrive 220 of the non-surf side of the boat 100 may be the fully tucked position.

In another embodiment, a differential thrust between the port propulsion unit 202 and the starboard propulsion unit 204 may be used to produce or enhance the surfable wake. The thrust may be proportional to the rotational speed of the propellers 222 and, in this embodiment, also proportional to the rotational speed (e.g., revolutions per minute (RPM)) of the motor 210. Accordingly, the differential thrust may be produced by setting an RPM offset (a difference in RPM) between the motor 210 of each of the port propulsion unit 202 and the starboard propulsion unit 204. Each surf profile may have an offset motor speed, and when the surf profile is selected, the motor 210 on the surf side of the boat 100 is operated at a first speed and the motor 210 on the non-surf side of the boat 100 is operated at a second speed, with the first speed and the second speed being different from each other. The first speed (speed of the motor 210 on the surf side) is greater than the second speed (speed of the motor 210 on the non-surf side). This offset motor speed may preferably be from 700 RPM to 1200 RPM and, more preferably, from 800 RPM to 1000 RPM. The offset motor speed may also change depending on the profile of the wave. For example, a steeper wave may have a greater offset motor speed (RPM difference) than a mellower wave, which may result in a lesser offset motor speed (RPM difference).

The speed of the boat is preferably set at a speed suitable for surfing, as discussed above, and the offset motor speed (RPM difference) may be maintained even as the speed of the motors 210 are changed to achieve the desired speed. For example, one of the motors 210 may be a main motor and the other motor is a subordinate motor. The speed control unit (e.g., Zero Off® cruise control unit) will send a speed change request to the main motor (the speed change request can be sent as a change in rpm, throttle, or load). The subordinate motor will have an offset in motor speed. Depending on the surf side and the determined main/subordinate motor orientation the offset may be positive or negative to result in the surf side motor 210 having a greater RPM than the non-surf side motor 210.

As noted above, the port propulsion unit 202 and the starboard propulsion unit 204 are pivotable in the port and starboard direction. Thus, the port propulsion unit 202 and the starboard propulsion unit 204 may be oriented to have a toe angle β, where the toe angle β is set to produce or enhance the surfable wake. FIG. 5A is a schematic, top view of the boat shown in FIG. 1, showing the outdrives 220 of the port propulsion unit 202 and the starboard propulsion unit 204 with the toe angle β. The port propulsion unit 202 and the starboard propulsion unit 204 and, more specifically in this embodiment, the outdrive 220 of the port propulsion unit 202 and the starboard propulsion unit 204 may have a neutral position. In the neutral position, the rotational axis 224 of the propellers 222 of each of the port propulsion unit 202 and the starboard propulsion unit 204 may be parallel to each other, and when the outdrives 220 are positioned with a toe angle, the rotational axis 224 of the propellers 222 of each of the port propulsion unit 202 and the starboard propulsion unit 204 may be positioned at an oblique angle or perpendicular to each other. As used herein, an “angle of toe” refers to positioning the port propulsion unit 202 and the starboard propulsion unit 204 to have a non-zero toe angle β. In a toed-in configuration (shown in FIG. 5) the aft portion of each outdrive 220 is angled outboard (rotated outboard from the neutral position), and in a toed-out configuration the aft portion of each outdrive 220 is angled inboard (rotated inboard from the neutral position).

In this embodiment, when a surf profile is activated, the outdrives 220 are moved to create an angle of toe. The angle of toe can be a predetermined toe angle β for a given wake surf setting, and the toe angle β may be different depending on the desired wave. For example, a steep wave may operate at a higher toe angle β than a mellow wave. As depicted in FIG. 5A, both the outdrive 220 of the port propulsion unit 202 and the outdrive 220 of the starboard propulsion unit 204 are rotated relative to their neutral position, which can be a position parallel to the centerline 102 of the boat 100. Each of the outdrives 220 may thus also have a toe angle relative to their neutral position. More specifically, the outdrive 220 of the port propulsion unit 202 has a port-drive toe angle β₁, and the outdrive 220 of the starboard propulsion unit 204 has a starboard-drive toe angle β₂. When the outdrive 220 is in the neutral position, the corresponding port-drive toe angle β₁ or starboard-drive toe angle β₂ is zero. Collectively, port-drive toe angle β₁ and the starboard-drive toe angle β₂ form the toe angle β.

FIG. 5B is a schematic, top view of the boat 100 similar to FIG. 5A with a toe angle β formed between the outdrives 220. Instead of forming the toe angle β by moving both the outdrive 220 of the port propulsion unit 202 and the outdrive 220 of the starboard propulsion unit 204 when a surf profile is activated, one of the outdrives 220 is moved to have an angle of toe with respect to its neutral position and the other outdrive 220 remains in the neutral position. For example, the outdrive 220 on the surf side of the boat 100 can be moved to a toed-out position and the outdrive 220 on the non-surf side of the boat 100 can remain in its neutral position. In FIG. 5B, for example, the surf side is the port side of the boat 100 and the outdrive 220 of the port propulsion unit 202 is moved to have a toed-out port-drive toe angle β₁, while the outdrive 220 of the starboard propulsion unit 204 remains in the neutral position. In another embodiment, the outdrive 220 on the non-surf side of the boat 100 can be moved to a toed-in position and the outdrive 220 on the surf side of the boat 100 can remain in its neutral position.

In embodiments discussed relative to FIGS. 5A and 5B, steering adjustments while underway may change the angle of both outdrives 220 simultaneously and may maintain the toe angle β. Alternatively, steering adjustments while underway may change both outdrives 220 on a predetermined scale. For example, the outboard outdrive 220 may turn at a greater rate than the inboard outdrive 220. In some embodiments, the toe angle β can be twenty degrees or less, such as fifteen degrees or less.

As noted above, the port propulsion unit 202 and the starboard propulsion unit 204 may be inboards having a propeller and a rudder, and positioning the port propulsion unit 202 and the starboard propulsion unit 204 to have a toe angle β includes positioning the rudder of each of the port propulsion unit 202 and the starboard propulsion unit 204 in a manner similar to the how the outdrives 220 are positioned as discussed above.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a lower part of the transom 113 of the boat 100. In FIG. 6 the port propulsion unit 202 and the starboard propulsion unit 204 and, more specifically, the outdrives 220 are omitted for clarity. As discussed above, when the boat 100 is configured for surfing, the port propulsion unit 202 and the starboard propulsion unit 204 are operated or oriented differently from each other in a way that produces or enhances the surfable wake. Optionally, the embodiments described herein may be used in conjunction with a surf devices, and the boat 100 may be equipped with these additional surf devices. One such surf device may be, for example, the port and starboard wake-modifying devices disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,833,286, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. A pair of surf devices 172, 174 is shown in FIG. 1. One is a port surf device 172 on the port side of the centerline 102, and the other is a starboard surf device 174 on the starboard side of the centerline 102. Other examples of suitable alternative surf devices are shown and described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 9,802,684 and 10,358,189, and the surf devices described in U.S. Patent Application Publication 2022/0089258, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. The port surf device 172 and the starboard surf device 174 are preferably located outboard of the outdrives 220, as can be seen, for example, in FIG. 4. Each of the port surf device 172 and the starboard surf device 174 can be located, for example, on the outer third of boat 100 at the transom 113, outboard on either side of both of the port propulsion unit 202 and the starboard propulsion unit 204, collectively, and more preferably on the outer quarter of the boat 100.

Each of the port surf device 172 and the starboard surf device 174 includes a plate-like member that is pivotably attached to the transom 113 of the boat 100. The plate-like members pivot about pivot axes to move between a non-deployed position and a deployed position. In their respective deployed position, each of the surf devices 172, 174 is pivoted downwardly relative to their position in the non-deployed position, and preferably such that at least the downturned surface, if not the plate-like member, interacts with the water flowing under the hull bottom 115. Each of the port surf device 172 and the starboard surf device 174 may have a plurality of deployed positions.

In this embodiment, the pivot axes are hinges. Here, the hinges are piano hinges that are welded to a leading portion of each plate-like member and attached to the transom 113 of the boat 100 using screws. However, any suitable pivotable connection may be used and may be affixed to the transom 113 of the boat 100 and the port and starboard surf devices 172, 174 using any suitable means, including, but not limited to, bolts, screws, rivets, welding, and epoxy. Each of the port and starboard surf devices 172, 174 also may include one or more downturned and/or upturned surfaces, such as downturned surfaces at the trailing edge of the plate-like members that are angled at a downward angle relative to the plate-like member.

Each of the port surf device 172 and the starboard surf device 174 is movable between the deployed position and the non-deployed position by a drive mechanism 176. In the embodiment shown, one drive mechanism 176 is used for each surf device 172, 174 allowing them to be independently operated. The drive mechanism can be any suitable drive mechanism, including for example, an actuator, particularly a linear actuator. The linear actuator may be, for example, an electric linear actuator or an electro-hydraulic actuator. A suitable electric linear actuator may be one from Lenco Marine of Stuart, Florida, and a suitable electro-hydraulic actuator (EHA) may be one available from Parker Hannifin of Marysville, Ohio. Other examples of suitable actuators include, for example, hydraulic linear actuators.

When the boat is being used for wake surfing, at least one of the port surf device 172 and the starboard surf device 174 is moved to a deployed position. More specifically, the surf device (one of the port surf device 172 and the starboard surf device 174) positioned on the non-surf side of the boat is moved to the deployed position. The angle or degree of deployment for the surf device 172, 174 may vary depending on the profile of the wave. For example, a steeper wave may have a greater angle of deployment than a mellower wave. In some embodiments, only one of the port surf device 172 and the starboard surf device 174 is moved to the deployed position for wake surfing, and the other one of the surf devices located on the surf side of the boat is positioned in the non-deployed position.

Other embodiments include methods of operating the boat 100 for surfing or to produce a surf wake. Such methods include positioning the outdrives 220 and surf devices 172, 174 in the manners discussed above. Additionally, such methods include operating the propulsion system 200 and, more specifically, the port propulsion unit 202 and the starboard propulsion unit 204, in the manners discussed above to move the boat 100 through the water. Such embodiments also include methods of operating and turning the boat 100, as discussed further above.

Although this invention has been described with respect to certain specific exemplary embodiments, many additional modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of this disclosure. It is, therefore, to be understood that this invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described. Thus, the exemplary embodiments of the invention should be considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive, and the scope of the invention to be determined by any claims supportable by this application and the equivalents thereof, rather than by the foregoing description.

Claims

1. A boat comprising: a propulsion system including: a port propulsion unit positioned on a port side of a centerline of the boat, the port propulsion unit including a port propulsor that is trimmable and capable of being positioned in a plurality of trim positions; anda starboard propulsion unit positioned on a starboard side of the centerline of the boat, the starboard propulsion unit including a starboard propulsor that is trimmable and capable of being positioned in a plurality of trim positions;a user input device including at least one of a first user-selectable option for wake surfing behind the boat on the port side of the centerline of the boat or a second user-selectable option for wake surfing behind the boat on the starboard side of the centerline of the boat, wherein if the first user-selectable option is selected, the port side of the boat is the surf side of the boat and the starboard side of the boat is a non-surf side of the boat, andwherein if the second user-selectable option is selected, the starboard side of the boat is the surf side of the boat and the port side of the boat is the non-surf side of the boat; anda controller communicatively coupled to the user input device and configured such that when either the first or second user-selectable option is selected, the controller causes the propulsor on the surf side of the boat to be positioned in a first trim position and causes the propulsor on the non-surf side of the boat to be positioned in a second trim position, the first trim position being higher than the second trim position.

2. The boat of claim 1, wherein the user input device includes both the first user-selectable option and the second user-selectable option.

3. The boat of claim 1, wherein each of the port propulsor and the starboard propulsor is trimmable between a fully tucked position and a fully raised position, and the second trim position is a fully tucked position.

4. The boat of claim 1, wherein each of the port propulsor and the starboard propulsor is trimmable from a neutral position to a plurality of tucked positions and a plurality of raised positions, and the second trim position is a tucked position.

5. The boat of claim 4, wherein the first trim position is a raised position.

6. The boat of claim 4, further comprising a trim input control for adjusting the trim of the propulsion system, the trim input control being communicatively coupled to the controller to transmit a trim adjustment input, wherein the controller is configured to operate the boat in a surf mode and, when operating in the surf mode, the controller adjusts the trim of the propulsor of the surf side of the boat in response to the trim adjustment input and leaves the propulsor on the non-surf side of the boat in the tucked position.

7. The boat of claim 1, wherein the user input device includes a third user-selectable option for wake surfing behind the boat on the port side of the centerline of the boat when the user input device includes the first user-selectable option, and the user input device includes a fourth user-selectable option for wake surfing behind the boat on the port side of the centerline of the boat when the user input device includes the second user-selectable option, wherein the controller includes a memory having stored therein at least one of a first trim offset for the first user-selectable option and a second trim offset for the second user-selectable option and stored therein at least one of a third trim offset for the third user-selectable option and a fourth trim offset for the fourth user-selectable option, the first trim offset being greater than the third trim offset, the second trim offset being greater than the forth trim offset, each of the first trim offset the second trim offset, the third trim offset, and the fourth trim offset is a difference in the trim position of the propulsor on the surf side of the boat and the propulsor on the non-surf side of the boat, andwherein the controller causes each of the propulsor on the surf side of the boat and the propulsor on the non-surf side of the boat to be positioned based on the first trim offset when the first wake surf setting is selected, based on the second trim offset when the second wake surf setting is selected, based on the third trim offset when the third wake surf setting is selected, and based on the fourth trim offset when the fourth wake surf setting is selected.

8. The boat of claim 1, wherein the controller includes a memory having stored therein a trim offset that is a difference in the trim position of the propulsor on the surf side of the boat and the propulsor on the non-surf side of the boat, the controller causing the propulsor on the surf side and the propulsor on the non-surf side to be positioned based on the trim offset.

9. The boat of claim 8, further comprising a trim input control for adjusting the trim of the propulsion system, the trim input control being communicatively coupled to the controller to transmit a trim adjustment input, wherein the controller is configured to operate the boat in a surf mode and, when operating in the surf mode, the controller adjusts the trim of both the surf-side propulsor and the non-surf-side propulsor to maintain the trim offset between the surf-side propulsor and the non-surf-side propulsor in response to the trim adjustment input.

10. The boat of claim 1, wherein the port propulsion unit includes a port motor operatively coupled to the port propulsor and the starboard propulsion unit includes a starboard motor operatively coupled to the starboard propulsor, and wherein the controller is configured such that, when either the first or second user selectable option is selected, the controller causes the motor on the surf side of the boat to operate at a first speed and causes the motor on the non-surf side of the boat to operate at a second speed, the first speed and the second speed being different from each other.

11. The boat of claim 10, wherein the first speed is greater than the second speed.

12. The boat of claim 10, wherein the user input device includes a third user-selectable option for wake surfing behind the boat on the port side of the centerline of the boat when the user input device includes the first user-selectable option, and the user input device includes a fourth user-selectable option for wake surfing behind the boat on the port side of the centerline of the boat when the user input device includes the second user-selectable option, wherein the controller includes a memory having stored therein at least one of a first offset motor speed for the first user-selectable option and a second offset motor speed for the second user-selectable option and stored therein at least one of a third offset motor speed for the third user-selectable option and a fourth offset motor speed for the fourth user-selectable option, the first offset motor speed being greater than the third offset motor speed, the second offset motor speed being greater than the fourth offset motor speed, and each of the first offset motor speed, the second offset motor speed, the third offset motor speed, and the fourth offset motor speed is a difference between the speed of the surf-side motor and the speed of the non-surf-side motor, andwherein the controller causes the motor on the surf side of the boat and the motor on the non-surf side of the boat to operate based on the first offset motor speed when the first user-selectable option is selected, based on the second offset motor speed when the second user-selectable option is selected, based on the third offset motor speed when the third user-selectable option is selected, and based on the fourth offset motor speed when the fourth user-selectable option is selected.

13. The boat of claim 10, wherein the controller includes a memory having stored therein an offset motor speed that is a difference between the speed of the motor on the surf side of the boat and the speed of the motor on the non-surf side of the boat, the controller causing motor on the surf side of the boat and the motor on the non-surf side of the boat to operate based on the offset motor speed.

14. The boat of claim 13, further comprising a speed input control to set the speed of the boat, the speed input control being communicatively coupled to the controller to transmit a speed input, and wherein the controller is configured to operate the boat in a surf mode and, when operating in the surf mode, the controller adjusts the speed of both the surf-side motor and the non-surf-side motor to maintain the offset motor speed between the surf-side motor and the non-surf-side motor in response to the speed input.

15. The boat of claim 1, wherein each of the port propulsor and the starboard propulsor is pivotable in the port and starboard direction, and wherein the controller causes at least one of the port propulsor or the starboard propulsor to pivot in the port and starboard direction to set an angle of toe between the port propulsor and the starboard propulsor when either the first or second user-selectable option is selected.

16. The boat of claim 15, wherein the controller is configured such that when either the first or second user-selectable option is selected, the controller causes both the port propulsor and the starboard propulsor to pivot in the port and starboard direction relative to their corresponding neutral position to set the angle of toe.

17. The boat of claim 15, wherein the controller is configured such that when either the first or second user-selectable option is selected, the controller causes the propulsor on the surf side to be positioned with a toed-out angle of toe relative to its neutral position.

18. The boat of claim 17, wherein the controller is configured such that when either the first or second user-selectable option is selected, the controller causes the propulsor on the non-surf side to remain in its neutral position.

19. The boat of claim 15, wherein the controller is configured such that when either the first or second user-selectable option is selected, the controller causes the propulsor on the non-surf side to be positioned with a toed-in angle of toe relative to its neutral position.

20. The boat of claim 19, wherein the controller is configured such that when either the first or second user-selectable option is selected, the controller causes the propulsor on the surf side to remain in its neutral position.

21. The boat of claim 15, wherein the user input device includes a third user-selectable option for wake surfing behind the boat on the port side of the centerline of the boat when the user input device includes the first user-selectable option, and the user input device includes a fourth user-selectable option for wake surfing behind the boat on the port side of the centerline of the boat when the user input device includes the second user-selectable option, wherein the controller includes a memory having stored therein at least one of a first angle of toe for the first user-selectable option or a second angle of toe for the second user-selectable option and stored therein at least one of a third angle of toe for the third user-selectable option or a fourth angle of toe for the fourth user-selectable option, the first angle of toe being greater than the third angle of toe, and the second angle of toe being greater than the fourth angle of toe, andwherein the controller causes the port propulsor and the starboard propulsor to be positioned based on the first angle of toe when the first user-selectable option is selected, based on the second angle of toe when the second user-selectable option is selected, based on the third angle of toe when the third user-selectable option is selected, and based on the fourth angle of toe when the fourth user-selectable option is selected.

22. The boat of claim 15, further comprising a steering control, wherein the controller is configured to operate the boat in a surf mode and, when operating in the surf mode, the steering control adjusts a steering angle of both the port propulsor and the starboard propulsor to maintain the angle of toe between the surf-side propulsor and the non-surf-side propulsor.

23. The boat of claim 15, further comprising a steering control to receive a steering input to turn the boat in a direction of turn, one of the port propulsor and the starboard propulsor being an inboard propulsor relative to the direction of turn and the other one of the port propulsor and the starboard propulsor being an outboard propulsor relative to the direction of turn, wherein the controller is configured to operate the boat in a surf mode and, when operating in the surf mode, the steering control adjusts a steering angle of the inboard propulsor at a turning rate different from the outboard propulsor.

24. The boat of claim 23, wherein the turning rate for the outboard propulsor is greater than the turning rate for the inboard propulsor.

25. The boat of claim 1, further comprising: a port-side surf device positioned on a port side of the centerline of the boat, the port-side surf device being movable between a deployed position and a non-deployed position; anda starboard-side surf device positioned on a starboard side of the centerline of the boat, the starboard-side surf device being movable between a deployed position and a non-deployed position, andwherein the controller is configured such that when either the first or second user-selectable option is selected, the controller causes the surf device on the non-surf side to be positioned in the deployed position.

26. A boat comprising: a propulsion system including: a port propulsion unit positioned on a port side of a centerline of the boat, the port propulsion unit including a port propulsor and a port motor operatively coupled to the port propulsor; anda starboard propulsion unit positioned on a starboard side of the centerline of the boat, the starboard propulsion unit including a starboard propulsor and a starboard motor operatively coupled to the starboard propulsor;a user input device including at least one of a first user-selectable option for wake surfing behind the boat on the port side of the centerline of the boat or a second user-selectable option for wake surfing behind the boat on the starboard side of the centerline of the boat, wherein if the first user-selectable option is selected, the port side of the boat is the surf side of the boat and the starboard side of the boat is a non-surf side of the boat, andwherein if the second user-selectable option is a user-selectable option is selected, the starboard side of the boat is the surf side of the boat and the port side of the boat is the non-surf side of the boat; anda controller communicatively coupled to the user input device and configured such that when either the first or second user-selectable option is selected, the controller causes the motor on the surf-side of the boat to operate at a first speed and causes the motor on the non-surf-side of the boat to operate at a second speed, the first speed and the second speed being different from each other.

27. A boat comprising: a propulsion system including: a port propulsion unit positioned on a port side of a centerline of the boat, the port propulsion unit including a port propulsor that is pivotable in the port and starboard direction; anda starboard propulsion unit positioned on a starboard side of the centerline of the boat, the starboard propulsion unit including a starboard propulsor pivotable in the port and starboard direction;a user input device including a user-selectable option for wake surfing behind the boat; anda controller communicatively coupled to the user input device and configured such that when the user-selectable option for wake surfing behind the boat, the controller causes at least one of the port propulsor and the starboard propulsor to pivot in the port and starboard direction to set an angle of toe between the port propulsor and the starboard propulsor.