Watercraft auto-pilot

Abstract

Improvements to auto pilots and other control systems for watercraft are disclosed. The disclosed autopilot features may be used for example in conjunction with an improved electrically powered watercraft detailed herein, or with other types of watercraft. The improved electrically powered watercraft evidences significant advancements in steerability, portability, efficiency and other tangible aspects.

1 - 28 . (canceled) 
     
     
         29 . A watercraft auto-pilot method for controlling a course of a watercraft, comprising:
 receiving a starting point user input;   establishing a position of the watercraft when the starting point user input is received as a watercraft start position in response to the starting point user input;   as the watercraft travels from the start position, recording watercraft position waypoints;   receiving a second user input subsequently to receiving the starting point user input;   in response to the second user input, engaging a watercraft controller to return the watercraft through the watercraft position waypoints.   
     
     
         30 . The watercraft auto-pilot method of claim  1 , wherein the watercraft start position and the watercraft position waypoints comprise Global Positioning System (GPS) positions. 
     
     
         31 . The watercraft auto-pilot method of claim  1 , further comprising receiving a hold course—compass user input, and in response to the hold course—compass user input, engaging the watercraft controller to move the watercraft in a nautical direction the watercraft is facing. 
     
     
         32 . The watercraft auto-pilot method of claim  1 , further comprising receiving a hold course—target user input, and in response to the hold course—target user input, engaging the watercraft controller to move the watercraft to a designated target point regardless of current drift and wind. 
     
     
         33 . The watercraft auto-pilot method of claim  1 , further comprising fixing watercraft direction using a next watercraft position waypoint, prior to passing at least one watercraft position waypoint that is between a current watercraft position and the next watercraft position waypoint. 
     
     
         34 . The watercraft auto-pilot method of  claim 33 , wherein watercraft direction is fixed using the next watercraft position waypoint after the watercraft passes a midway point between a previous watercraft position waypoint and the watercraft position waypoint that is between the current watercraft position and the next watercraft position waypoint. 
     
     
         35 . The watercraft auto-pilot method of claim  1 , wherein engaging the watercraft controller to return the watercraft through the watercraft position waypoints to the watercraft start position comprises first navigating to a closest watercraft position waypoint, and then returning the watercraft through the watercraft position waypoints previous to said closest watercraft position waypoint to the watercraft start position. 
     
     
         36 . The watercraft auto-pilot method of claim  1 , further comprising receiving “stop” user input, and in response to the “stop” user input, engaging the watercraft controller to stop the watercraft at its current position. 
     
     
         37 . The watercraft auto-pilot method of claim  1 , wherein the starting point user input comprises a user press and hold of an auto pilot user interface button for predetermined time interval. 
     
     
         38 . The watercraft auto-pilot method of claim  1 , further comprising disengaging the watercraft controller in response to a manual control of the watercraft controller, and re-engaging the watercraft controller to return the watercraft through the watercraft position waypoints to the watercraft start position in response to a release of the manual control of the watercraft controller. 
     
     
         39 . The watercraft auto-pilot method of  claim 38 , wherein the manual control of the watercraft controller is received through a joystick, foot pedal, or keyfob. 
     
     
         40 . The watercraft auto-pilot method of claim  1 , further comprising disengaging the watercraft controller in response and disengaging the autopilot in response to multiple user attempts to manually control the watercraft within a predetermined period of time. 
     
     
         41 . The watercraft auto-pilot method of claim  1 , further comprising receiving a third user input in combination with the second user input, and in response to the second and third user inputs, engaging a watercraft controller to return the watercraft in a straight line to the watercraft start position. 
     
     
         42 . The watercraft auto-pilot method of claim  1 , further comprising adjusting speed of the watercraft while the watercraft controller remains engaged to return the watercraft through the watercraft position waypoints to the watercraft start position, in response to a user interaction with a manual boat control that lasts for less than a predetermined time period. 
     
     
         43 . The watercraft auto-pilot method of claim  1 , further comprising adjusting speed of the watercraft while the watercraft controller remains engaged to return the watercraft through the watercraft position waypoints to the watercraft start position, in response to a user interaction with a manual boat control that exceeds a predetermine adjustment level. 
     
     
         44 . The watercraft auto-pilot method of claim  1 , wherein engaging the watercraft controller to return the watercraft through the watercraft position waypoints comprises returning the watercraft through the watercraft position waypoints to the watercraft start position. 
     
     
         45 . A watercraft auto-pilot for controlling a course of a watercraft, comprising:
 a user interface adapted to receive a starting point user input and a second user input;   wherein the auto-pilot is configured to establish, in response to the starting point user input, a position of the watercraft when the starting point user input is received as a watercraft start position;   wherein the auto-pilot is configured to record watercraft position waypoints as the watercraft travels from the start position;   wherein the auto-pilot is configured to engage a watercraft controller, in response to the second user input, to return the watercraft through the watercraft position waypoints.   
     
     
         46 . The watercraft auto-pilot of  claim 45 , wherein the watercraft start position and the watercraft position waypoints comprise Global Positioning System (GPS) positions. 
     
     
         47 . The watercraft auto-pilot of  claim 45 , wherein the user interface is adapted to receive a hold course—compass user input, and the auto-pilot is configured to engage the watercraft controller, in response to the hold course—compass user input, to move the watercraft in a nautical direction the watercraft is facing. 
     
     
         48 . The watercraft auto-pilot of  claim 45 , wherein the user interface is adapted to receive a hold course—target user input, and the auto-pilot is configured to engage the watercraft controller, in response to the hold course—target user input, to move the watercraft to a designated target point regardless of current drift and wind. 
     
     
         49 . The watercraft auto-pilot of  claim 45 , wherein the auto-pilot is configured to fix watercraft direction using a next watercraft position waypoint, prior to passing at least one watercraft position waypoint that is between a current watercraft position and the next watercraft position waypoint. 
     
     
         50 . The watercraft auto-pilot of  claim 45 , wherein the auto-pilot is configured to engage the watercraft controller, in response to the second user input, to return the watercraft through the watercraft position waypoints to the watercraft start position.