Systems and methods for mounting a propulsion device with respect to a marine vessel

A system for supporting a propulsion device with respect to a marine vessel, the system comprising:

• an elastic mount configured to support the propulsion device with respect to the marine vessel, wherein the elastic mount contains an electromagnetic fluid;
• an electromagnet configured so that increasing an amount of electricity applied thereto increases a shear strength of the electromagnetic fluid in the elastic mount and thereby decreases elasticity of the elastic mount, and further configured so that decreasing the amount of electricity applied to the electromagnet decreases the shear strength of the electromagnetic fluid in the elastic mount and thereby increases the elasticity of the elastic mount;
• and
• a controller configured to:
• apply a first amount of electricity to the electromagnet to produce an initial elasticity of the elastic mount;
• and
• adjust the amount of electricity applied to the electromagnet to increase or decrease the elasticity of the elastic mount to decrease or increase motion of the propulsion device with respect to the marine vessel.

A method for controlling an elastic mount configured to support a propulsion device with respect to a marine vessel, wherein the elastic mount contains an electromagnetic fluid and an electromagnet and is configured such that adjusting an amount of electricity applied to the electromagnet changes a shear strength of the electromagnetic fluid in the elastic mount and thereby controls an elasticity of the elastic mount, the method comprising:

• applying a first amount of electricity to the electromagnet to produce a first elasticity in the elastic mount;
• determining that a vessel speed indicator is less than a low speed threshold;
• determining that a trim position of the propulsion device is in a fully trimmed-in position;
• detecting at least a threshold increase in throttle demand;
• and
• applying a second amount of electricity to the electromagnet wherein the second amount of electricity is less than the first amount of electricity, so as to increase the elasticity of the elastic mount to allow further trim-in of the propulsion device.