Abstract: A water cooling system for an outboard motor provides a water conduit that extends through both an idle exhaust relief passage and a primary exhaust passage. Water within the water conduit flows through first and second openings to distribute sprays or streams of water into first and second exhaust conduits which can be the primary and idle exhaust relief passages of an outboard motor.

Abstract: A method is provided for avoiding water ingestion through an exhaust system into the cylinders of an engine during an engine shutdown procedure. Air is allowed to flow into the air intake conduit, either through an opened throttle plate or through an opened idle air control valve to raise the pressure within the intake conduit toward equalization with atmospheric pressure. This reduces the negative pressure of the intake conduit relative to the exhaust conduit and inhibits ingestion of water upwardly from a body of water through the exhaust conduit into the cylinder.

Abstract: A cooling water distribution system provides a single cavity from which water is directed to a plurality of auxiliary devices. The cavity is formed within a housing structure that has a perforate surface shaped to be inserted into a primary water conducting channel through which water flows from a water pump to an internal combustion engine. The perforate surface does not extend into the water stream induced by the water pump but, instead, is shaped to conform to an inner surface of the water conducting cavity. Holes in the perforate surface are shaped to allow water to flow from the main channel of the water conducting cavity into the cavity of the housing structure from which the water is distributed through a plurality of water conduits to various auxiliary devices requiring cooling water.

Abstract: A cowl structure comprises first and second cowl members that are independent components. A first cowl member is attachable, by a latch mechanism, to a support structure of the outboard motor. The second cowl member is attachable by a latch mechanism, to both the first cowl member and the support structure. The first cowl member extends across a rear portion of the outboard motor and at least partially along both port and starboard sides of the outboard motor. The second cowl member extends across a front portion of the outboard motor and at least partially along the port and starboard sides of the outboard motor. In a preferred embodiment, the second cowl member also extends partially over a top portion of the outboard motor and over a rear portion of the outboard motor.

Abstract: A cowl structure comprises first and second cowl members that are independent components. A first cowl member is attachable, by a latch mechanism, to a support structure of the outboard motor. The second cowl member is attachable by a latch mechanism, to both the first cowl member and the support structure. The first cowl member extends across a rear portion of the outboard motor and at least partially along both port and starboard sides of the outboard motor. The second cowl member extends across a front portion of the outboard motor and at least partially along the port and starboard sides of the outboard motor. In a preferred embodiment, the second cowl member also extends partially over a top portion of the outboard motor and over a rear portion of the outboard motor.