Systems and methods for controlling speed of a marine vessel

A method for controlling a speed of a marine vessel having first and second propulsion devices that produce first and second thrusts, respectively, to propel the marine vessel, the method comprising:

• inputting a trolling mode command to a control circuit so as to operate the first and second propulsion devices in an aligned position in which the first and second thrusts are parallel and propel the marine vessel in a desired direction at a first speed;
• and
• thereafter inputting a trolling speed command to the control circuit so as to operate the first and second propulsion devices in an unaligned position in which the first and second thrusts are non-parallel and propel the marine vessel in the desired direction at a second, decreased speed;
• wherein magnitudes of the first and second thrusts are the same when the first and second propulsion devices are in the aligned position as when the first and second propulsion devices are in the unaligned position.

A method for controlling a speed of a marine vessel having first and second propulsion devices that produce first and second thrusts, respectively, to propel the marine vessel, the method comprising:

• controlling orientation of the first and second propulsion devices between an aligned position in which the first and second thrusts are parallel and an unaligned position in which the first and second thrusts are non-parallel;
• receiving a first input from a first user input device moveable between a neutral position and a non-neutral detent position;
• and
• receiving a second input from a second user input device;
• wherein when the first user input device is in the detent position and the first and second propulsion devices are in the aligned position, the first and second thrusts propel the marine vessel in a desired direction at a first speed;
• and
• wherein when the second user input device is actuated while the first user input device is in the detent position, the first and second propulsion devices move into the unaligned position so as to propel the marine vessel in the desired direction at a second, decreased speed without altering the first and second thrusts.

A method for controlling a speed of a marine vessel having a direct-drive transmission and having first and second propulsion devices that produce first and second thrusts, respectively, to propel the marine vessel, the method comprising:

• receiving a first signal from a first user input device to operate the marine vessel in a trolling mode;
• hereafter receiving a second signal from a second user input device to vary a trolling speed of the marine vessel;
• and
• in response to receiving the second signal while the marine vessel is operating in the trolling mode, sending a control signal to move the first and second propulsion devices between an aligned position in which the first and second thrusts are parallel and propel the marine vessel in a desired direction at a first speed and an unaligned position in which the first and second thrusts are non-parallel and propel the marine vessel in the desired direction at a second, decreased speed;
• wherein magnitudes of the first and second thrusts are the same when the first and second propulsion devices are in the aligned position as when the first and second propulsion devices are in the unaligned position.