Tiller tilt lock and automatic release system

A tiller system for steering an outboard motor, the tiller system comprising:

• a tiller arm rotatably coupled to the outboard motor;
• a first lock portion and a second lock portion operatively coupled between the tiller arm and the outboard motor and selectively engageable to prevent the tiller arm from rotating downwardly, wherein the first lock portion has a plurality of teeth and rotates with the tiller arm, wherein the plurality of teeth define a plurality of index positions each configured to receive the second lock portion to prevent downward rotation of the tiller arm therefrom, wherein the second lock portion has an activated position and a deactivated position, and wherein the second lock portion is engageable with the first lock portion only when the second lock portion is in the activated position;
• an unlock member coupled to the first lock portion and configured to move the second lock portion from the activated position to the deactivated position by rotating the tiller arm;
• a lock controller cam having an activated index and a deactivated index;
• a bias device that biases the second lock portion into engagement with the lock controller cam, wherein the activated index and the deactivated index correspond to the second lock portion being in the activated position and the deactivated position, respectively, and wherein the unlock member overcomes the bias device to move the second lock portion from the activated index to the deactivated index;
• and
• a tilt lock shaft that rotates with the second lock member, wherein the second lock portion is also moveable to the deactivated position by manual rotation of the tilt lock shaft in an unlock direction.