Dynamic trim of a marine propulsion system

Abstract

A method and system for defining a program to control the trim position of a propulsion unit mounted on a watercraft for a desired utility mode. Also, a method and system for controlling the trim position in a given utility mode by using the defined program. In defining the program, a first utility mode is defined and the watercraft is operated in the defined mode as in normal operation. Multiple trim positions are selected throughout the course of operation in the defined mode. For each selected trim position, an operational parameter of the watercraft is sensed. Multiple values of the same parameter may be sensed and measured for a single trim position. After the parameters have been sensed for each trim position, a correlated data set is created. A correlated data set is saved to a memory device for each selected trim position of the defined utility mode. In controlling the trim position, the watercraft is again operated in the first utility mode. A current operational parameter is then measured. Having measured the current operational parameter, the correlated data sets are recalled from memory so that the current operational parameter may be compared with the stored parameters in the data sets. The trim position is then selected and set based on the comparison of the current parameter with those stored in the data set.