Abstract: A marine propulsion device is provided with an access opening through a portion of its gimbal housing. At least two support locations, formed integrally with the gimbal housing, provide locations to support a swivel shaft that attaches a gimbal ring to the gimbal housing. A steering lever is attached to the swivel shaft at a location between the points of support. The shaft extends through cylindrical holes in both support portions of the gimbal housing and a nut extends at least partially through one of the cylindrical holes to retain the swivel shaft and steering lever in position. The nut is removable from the shaft by accessing the nut through the opening formed in the support structure of the gimbal housing.

Abstract: A cooling system for a marine vessel is configured to allow all cooling water to flow out of the cooling circuit naturally and under the influence of gravity when the marine vessel is removed from the body of water. All conduits of the cooling circuit are sloped downwardly and rearwardly from within the marine vessel to an opening through its transom. Traps are avoided so that residual water is not retained within locations of the cooling system after the natural draining process is complete. The opening through the transom of the marine vessel is at or below all conduits of the cooling system in order to facilitate the natural draining of the cooling system under the influence of gravity and without the need for operator intervention.

Abstract: A hydraulic system for a sterndrive marine propulsion device directs the flow of hydraulic fluid through the body and peripheral components of a gimbal ring in order to reduce the number and length of flexible hydraulic conduits necessary to conduct pressurized hydraulic fluid from a pump to one or more hydraulic cylinders used to control the trim or tilt of a marine drive unit relative to a gimbal housing.

Abstract: A cooling system for a marine vessel is configured to allow all cooling water to flow out of the cooling circuit naturally and under the influence of gravity when the marine vessel is removed from the body of water. All conduits of the cooling circuit are sloped downwardly and rearwardly from within the marine vessel to an opening through its transom. Traps are avoided so that residual water is not retained within locations of the cooling system after the natural draining process is complete. The opening through the transom of the marine vessel is at or below all conduits of the cooling system in order to facilitate the natural draining of the cooling system under the influence of gravity and without the need for operator intervention.

Abstract: A steering system for a marine propulsion device eliminates the need for two support pins and provides a hydraulic cylinder with a protuberance and an opening which cooperate with each other to allow a hydraulic cylinder's system to be supported by a single pin for rotation about a pivot axis. The single pin allows the hydraulic cylinder to be supported by an inner transom plate in a manner that allows it to rotate in conformance with movement of a steering arm of a marine propulsion device.

Abstract: A hydraulic system for a marine vessel incorporates a single hydraulic pump that can be driven by either first or second motive devices, such as an internal combustion engine or an electric motor. Depending on the circumstances, the pressure required by the hydraulic system is provided by the pump when it is driven by either the first or second motive devices. As a result, only two motive devices can provide the necessary driving capacity for the hydraulic pump under all operating circumstances, including those when the engine is not running.

Abstract: A vented liquid containment device has a cup member located within the structure of a threaded cap so that a filter material can be placed within the cup member to prevent liquids from being splashed in an upward direction into contact with a vent that is formed within an inside portion of the cap. When used in conjunction with a marine vessel, rough water can cause oil within an oil reservoir to splash upwardly and come into contact with the vent opening which is intended to allow air and other gases to pass back and forth between the cavity of the reservoir and the atmosphere. The presence of the filter material prevents the liquids from being splashed into direct contact with the vent openings which could otherwise allow oil to spill outwardly onto surfaces of the reservoir and nearby components.

Abstract: A marine transmission for connecting a driven shaft to a driving shaft is provided with first and second dog clutch members and first and second friction clutch members which are actuated, respectively, by first and second hydraulically actuated devices. Engagement of the friction clutch members with each other creates rotation in the driven shaft that approaches or equals the rotational speed of the driving shaft so that subsequent engagement of the first and second dog clutch members can be accomplished without significant relative rotational speed differences between the two dog clutch members.

Abstract: An actuating mechanism is provided with support members that extend away from the centerline of a cylinder bore, piston and actuator rod of an actuation mechanism that uses pressure to move the piston within a cylinder bore. Two support members are attached to a cylinder housing and provided with mounting holes. The two support members are spaced apart from the cylinder housing to allow external support structures to be placed between the cylinder housing and the two support members. Appropriate fasteners, such as bolts, attach each of the two support members to the external support structures in such a way that the cylinder housing can pivot about an axis extending through both bolts. Most importantly, a line extending through the supporting bolts intersect the cylinder bore at a place between its opposing ends. This reduces the required space necessary to allow the cylinder to pivot properly.