| 摘要 |
<p>The present invention provides, in combination, a drive for a boat of the outboard or inboard/outboard type, said drive having a propulsion means for producing a slipstream as it moves through the water; the drive being turnable about a steering axis to provide a steering effect on the boat, and a rudder to assist in steering the boat at speeds below a selected speed. A mechanical coupling connects said rudder directly to said drive so that both the drive and the rudder turn together about said steering axis as the boat is steered. The mechanical coupling between said rudder and said drive includes means defining a pivot axis generally transverse to said steering axis permitting the rudder to pivot relative to said drive between a lowered position where the rudder can react to the slipstream of the propulsion means and a raised position where said rudder is substantially removed from the slipstream. The pivot axis is located relative to the rudder such that forces acting on said rudder in its lowered position by virtue of the motion of water relative thereto provide a moment about said axis capable of pivoting the rudder about said axis and moving same toward the raised position as the relative speed between the water and the rudder approaches a predetermined value to make the steering of the boat substantially independent of the rudder.</p> |
