A steering assist system for a watercraft including a force detection assembly adapted to detect a force further applied to an operator steering control of the watercraft after the steering control is turned to a maximum turning position. The steering assist system also includes a controller configu
A steering assist system for a watercraft including a force detection assembly adapted to detect a force further applied to an operator steering control of the watercraft after the steering control is turned to a maximum turning position. The steering assist system also includes a controller configured to increase a steering force produced by the watercraft in response to an output of the force detection assembly. In one arrangement, the steering assist system increases an output of a propulsion system of the watercraft in proportion to an output of the force detection assembly. In another arrangement, the steering assist system moves a steering force producing member, such as a deflector or rudder, for example, in response to an output of the force detection assembly in addition to, or alternative to, increasing an output of the propulsion system.
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What is claimed is: 1. A watercraft comprising a hull, a propulsion unit supported relative to the hull, a steering system configured to influence a direction of travel of the watercraft, the steering system comprising an operator steering control configured to rotate a steering shaft between a fir
What is claimed is: 1. A watercraft comprising a hull, a propulsion unit supported relative to the hull, a steering system configured to influence a direction of travel of the watercraft, the steering system comprising an operator steering control configured to rotate a steering shaft between a first maximum turning position and a second maximum turning position to permit an operator of the watercraft to control a position of the steering system, a force detection assembly configured to detect and output a signal indicative of a force further applied to the operator steering control after the operator steering control is turned to either of the first and second maximum turning positions, wherein the steering system comprises a fixed stop and a moveable stop, the movable stop fixed for movement with the steering shaft, the fixed stop and the movable stop contact one another to define the first and second maximum turning positions, and wherein the force detection assembly comprises a first load receiving element and a second load receiving element associated with one of the fixed and movable stops, and at least one sensor, the first load receiving element configured to receive a compressive load when force is further applied to the operator steering control after the operator steering control is turned to the first maximum turning position, the second load receiving element configured to receive a compressive load when force is further applied to the operator steering control after the operator steering control is turned to the second maximum turning position, the at least one sensor configured to produce an output signal corresponding to a load applied to either of the first and second load receiving elements, wherein the movable stop comprises a first stop surface and a second stop surface and the first and second load receiving elements are supported within an integral housing, wherein the housing defines, at least in part, the fixed stop, wherein the first load receiving element, the second load receiving element and the at least one sensor are sealed within the housing, with the exception of a contact surface of each of the first and second load receiving elements, by an elastically-deformable synthetic resin material. 2. The watercraft of claim 1, additionally comprising an electric circuit board electrically connected to the force detection assembly, wherein the electric circuit board is housed within the integral housing. 3. The watercraft of claim 2, wherein the electric circuit board is sealed within the integral housing by a shock absorbing material. 4. A watercraft comprising a hull, a propulsion unit supported relative to the hull, a steering system configured to influence a direction of travel of the watercraft, the steering system comprising an operator steering control configured to rotate a steering shaft between a first maximum turning position and a second maximum turning position to permit an operator of the watercraft to control a position of the steering system, a force detection assembly configured to detect and output a signal indicative of a force further applied to the operator steering control after the operator steering control is turned to either of the first and second maximum turning positions, wherein the steering system additionally comprises a linkage assembly configured to define the first and second maximum turning positions, the linkage assembly including a first end movable with the steering shaft and a second end fixed with respect to the hull, the force detection assembly including at least one sensor configured to produce an output signal corresponding with a tension of the linkage assembly. 5. The watercraft of claim 4, wherein the force detection assembly is of a magnetostrictive type, wherein a linkage member of the linkage assembly is constructed of a material that changes in magnetic permeability in response to a change in a tensile load applied to the material, and the at least one sensor is configured to produce an output signal corresponding to a magnetic permeability of the linkage member. 6. The watercraft of claim 4 wherein linkage assembly comprises a first link member pivotally connected to a second link member. 7. The watercraft of claim 6, wherein the at least one sensor is configured to detect a tension in at least one of the first and second link members. 8. The watercraft of claim 4 additionally comprising a joint connecting the first and second link members, the joint being configured to allow the first link member to pivot relative to the second link member. 9. The watercraft of claim 8 additionally comprising a biasing member configured to bias the first and second link members toward a position in which the first and second link members are not aligned with each other. 10. The watercraft of claim 4, wherein the linkage assembly further comprises a third link member connected to the second link member in a telescoping arrangement. 11. The watercraft of claim 10, wherein the at least one sensor is configured to detect a tension directed in a direction to cause the second and third link members to move in a telescoping direction. 12. A watercraft comprising a hull, a propulsion unit supported relative to the hull, a steering system configured to influence a direction of travel of the watercraft, the steering system comprising an operator steering control configured to rotate a steering shaft between a first maximum turning position and a second maximum turning position to permit an operator of the watercraft to control a position of the steering system, a force detection assembly configured to detect and output a signal indicative of a force further applied to the operator steering control after the operator steering control is turned to either of the first and second maximum turning positions, wherein the steering system additionally comprises a linkage assembly configured to define the first and second maximum turning positions, the linkage assembly including a first end movable with the steering shaft and a second end fixed with respect to the hull, the force detection assembly including at least one load receiving element and at least one sensor, the linkage assembly configured to apply a compressive force to the at least one load receiving element, wherein a magnitude of the compressive force is reduced when force is further applied to the operator steering control after the operator steering control has been turned to either of the first and second maximum turning positions, and wherein the at least one sensor is configured to produce an output signal corresponding with a compressive force applied to the at least one load receiving element. 13. A watercraft comprising a hull, a propulsion unit supported relative to the hull, a steering system configured to influence a direction of travel of the watercraft, the steering system comprising an operator steering control configured to rotate a steering shaft between a first maximum turning position and a second maximum turning position to permit an operator of the watercraft to control a position of the steering system, a force detection assembly configured to detect and output a signal indicative of a force further applied to the operator steering control after the operator steering control is turned to either of the first and second maximum turning positions, wherein the force detection assembly comprises a load receiving element and at least one sensor, the load receiving element configured to be rotated with the steering shaft about an axis of the steering shaft and to receive a torsional load when force is further applied to the operator steering control after the operator steering control is turned to either of the first and second maximum turning positions, the at least one sensor configured to produce an output signal corresponding with a torsional load applied to the at least one load receiving element.
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