Abstract: In an outboard engine, an electric device is attached, utilizing a cooling water passage cover for closing a recessed part constituting part of a cooling water jacket, to the cover via a boss part, thus providing a compact electric device mounting structure with no such parts projecting from a side of an engine as in a conventional box member. An engine starting apparatus of the outboard engine is provided with an ignition device and a starter motor connected to a battery, and an AC generator is connected to the battery via an electric device having voltage restricting and rectifying functions. When it is cranked by the starter motor or a starter pulley, the engine is started by the ignition device operated by the battery. As it is cranked by the starter pulley while the battery is discharging, the ignition device is actuated by a current generated by the AC generator and rectified by the electric device to thereby start the engine.