Abstract: An outboard motor includes a bracket assembly that has a swivel bracket carrying a drive unit for pivotal movement about a steering axis that extends generally vertically. The swivel bracket has a tubular section that extends generally vertically. The drive unit has a steering member that includes a steering shaft section extending through the tubular section and defining the steering axis. The steering shaft section has top and bottom portions out of the tubular section. The steering shaft section further has an upper portion below the top portion within the tubular section, and a lower portion above the bottom portion within the tubular section. The tubular section has upper, lower and middle bushings. The upper and lower bushings pivotally support the upper and lower portions, respectively. The middle bushing pivotally supports a middle portion of the steering shaft section between the upper and lower portions.

Abstract: An outboard motor includes a drive unit and a bracket assembly mounting the drive unit on an associated watercraft. The bracket assembly includes a swivel bracket that carries the drive unit for pivotal movement about a steering axis that extends generally vertically, and a clamping bracket that supports the swivel bracket and the drive unit for pivotal movement about a tilt axis that extends generally horizontally. Either the swivel bracket or the clamping bracket, at least in part, has a first flange, a second flange spaced apart from the first flange, and a web that extends between the first and second flanges to connect together the first and second flanges. The first and second flanges extend generally parallel to the tilt axis. The web extend generally normal to the tilt axis.

Abstract: An outboard motor includes a bracket assembly that has a swivel bracket carrying a drive unit for pivotal movement about a steering axis that extends generally vertically. The swivel bracket has a tubular section that extends generally vertically. The drive unit has a steering member that includes a steering shaft section extending through the tubular section and defining the steering axis. The steering shaft section has top and bottom portions out of the tubular section. The steering shaft section further has an upper portion below the top portion within the tubular section, and a lower portion above the bottom portion within the tubular section. The tubular section has upper, lower and middle bushings. The upper and lower bushings pivotally support the upper and lower portions, respectively. The middle bushing pivotally supports a middle portion of the steering shaft section between the upper and lower portions.

Abstract: An outboard motor includes a drive unit and a bracket assembly mounting the drive unit on an associated watercraft. The bracket assembly includes a swivel bracket that carries the drive unit for pivotal movement about a steering axis that extends generally vertically, and a clamping bracket that supports the swivel bracket and the drive unit for pivotal movement about a tilt axis that extends generally horizontally. Either the swivel bracket or the clamping bracket, at least in part, has a first flange, a second flange spaced apart from the first flange, and a web that extends between the first and second flanges to connect together the first and second flanges. The first and second flanges extend generally parallel to the tilt axis. The web extend generally normal to the tilt axis.