Simplified docking method and apparatus for a multiple engine marine vessel

An apparatus for maneuvering a marine vessel, comprising:

• means for providing a first marine propulsion unit which is attachable to a transom of said marine vessel;
• means for providing a second marine propulsion unit which is attachable to said transom of said marine vessel;
• means for receiving a maneuver command from a manually controllable device;
• first means for calculating a first magnitude of thrust for said first marine propulsion unit as a function of said maneuver command;
• and
• second means for calculating a second magnitude of thrust for said second marine propulsion unit as a function of said maneuver command, said first and second magnitudes of thrust being calculated to create a resultant force vector imposed on said marine vessel and a resultant moment about an instantaneous center of turn of said marine vessel which will achieve said maneuver command, said first and second magnitudes of thrust being unequal to each other in order to create a magnitude of said resultant moment about said instantaneous center of turn which is unequal to zero.

An apparatus for maneuvering a marine vessel, comprising:

• a first marine propulsion unit which is attachable to a transom of said marine vessel;
• a second marine propulsion unit which is attachable to said transom of said marine vessel;
• a manually controllable device which has an output that is representative of a maneuver command;
• first means for calculating a first magnitude of thrust for said first marine propulsion unit as a function of said maneuver command;
• and
• second means for calculating a second magnitude of thrust for said second marine propulsion unit as a function of said maneuver command, said first and second magnitudes of thrust being calculated to create a resultant force vector imposed on said marine vessel and a resultant moment about an instantaneous center of turn of said marine vessel which will achieve said maneuver command, said first and second magnitudes of thrust being unequal to each other in order to create a magnitude of said resultant moment about said instantaneous center of turn which is unequal to zero.