PURPOSE: To provide a marine propulsion device balancing a steering torque.

CONSTITUTION: A marine propulsion device 12 is provided with a propulsion unit 22 attached to the device 12. The propulsion unit 22 can move pivotally about a generally horizontal tilt axis 20 and about a generally vertical steering axis 24. The unit 22 provides a propeller shaft 42. The propeller shaft 42 supports a propeller 44 with rotation therewith. The propulsion device 12 further comprises a steering mechanism 49 for pivoting the propulsion unit 22 about the steering axis 24 and a control system. The control system includes a structure for sensing force applied on the steering mechanism 49 by the propulsion unit 22, and a structure for pivoting the propulsion unit 22 about the tilt axis 20 in response to the force sensed by the sensing structure.