Abstract: A propulsion device for a boat that mounts through a hole in a bottom surface of the boat. The engine is positioned inside the boat and the propeller drive is positioned under a bottom surface of the boat. The propulsion device includes a mounting assembly, a steering assembly rotatably connecting the drive to the mounting assembly for steering the propeller drive under the boat, a trimming assembly swingingly connecting the drive to the steering assembly for trimming/tilting of the propeller drive under the boat at any steered position, and a drive shaft means providing a drive connection between the engine and the propeller drive at any steered and trimmed position.

Abstract: In a drive arrangement for a planing hull boat in which a drive shaft extends from a motor within the hull through the stern wall to a propeller arranged in a tunnel-shaped water flow guide structure extending backwardly from the bottom edge of the stern wall and upwardly in a curved fashion, the propeller is mounted so as to be rotatable about an axis which is essentially parallel to and in alignment with the hull bottom. The flow guide structure has a top end section hinged so as to be tiltable about a horizontal axis between the guide structure side walls and, at its front end adjacent the rear hull bottom edge, a scoop adapted to scoop up a stream of water which is directed over the flow guide structure to form a water seal preventing in leakage of air into the water flowing through the flow guide structure.

Abstract: An assembly for the collection and channeling of water leaking beyond a stuffing box or other seal assembly which is normally provided to isolate a rotating propeller shaft in a marine craft from the water in which the craft rides. A receiving chamber is disposed at an inner most end of the sealing assembly or stuffing box in receiving relation to leaking water passing along the shaft wherein the receiving chamber communicates with a liquid exit or collection facility for the removal of the water from the shaft before the water can enter into the interior of the craft.

Abstract: A pressure control system for stern tube seals includes at least two resilient radial lip-type seal rings held so as to surround a propeller shaft linear. The closest seal ring lip to the propeller is arranged to face outboard and the other adjacent seal rings' lips are arranged to face suitable directions so as to form annular chambers. The aft annular chamber located most closely to the propeller serves as a chamber having a fixed differencial pressure higher than the seawater pressure. The closest seal ring to the propeller is lifted, thereby allowing air to be bled into seawater and preventing the ingress thereof. A regulator unit which is capable of instantly ascertaining changes in the hull's draft is provided in an air-supplying mechanism communicating with the aft annular chamber, so as to maintain the air pressure therein higher than the seawater pressure by a constant differential pressure.

Abstract: A marine drive system includes one or more engines mounted inboard of a boat adjacent the boat transom. The one or more engines are disposed such that their longitudinal axes are substantially perpendicular to the boat centerline and parallel to the boat transom. A drive unit extends substantially vertically relative to each engine during operation. The drive unit preferably includes a drive housing which is mounted to the boat so as to be pivotable between an operating position, in which the propeller is submerged, and an inoperative position in which the propeller is out of the water and the drive unit is disposed at an angle to the vertical relative to the engine. The construction provided by the engine is advantageously employed in a boat hull design in which a pocket is formed in the boat hull, and a portion of the propeller path is disposed within the pocket.

Abstract: A marine propulsion device comprising a pivot housing including an opening, and a lip extending inwardly around the opening, a flexible bellows having an end complementary with and communicating with the opening in the pivot housing, the end of the bellows including a flange engaged with the lip, a propulsion unit removably connected to the pivot housing and including a portion engageable with the end of the bellows for compressing and securing the flange against the lip on the pivot housing so that the flange sealingly engages the pivot housing when the propulsion unit is connected to the pivot housing.

Abstract: A seal assembly for providing a seal between the hull of a powered water craft and a drive shaft which passes through the hull includes a flexible tubular boot which is attached to a through-hull fitting which is affixed to the hull and is attached at its other end via a leak-proof seal to the shaft at a location within the hull. The shaft seal assembly includes a pair of mutually engaging annular face seal members with one of the seal members being affixed to the fitting and the other being affixed to a sealing collar which is adjustably positioned along the shaft.

Abstract: A number of embodiments of marine inboard/outboard drives including an arrangement for sealing the flywheel housing so as to prevent the intrusion of water into it. In all embodiments, a flexible coupling connects the engine flywheel to an input shaft of the outboard drive and this flexible coupling is positioned within the flywheel housing. Various sealing arrangements are incorporated for sealing the opening in the flywheel housing through which the input shaft of the outboard drive extends.

Abstract: A securing means for a flexible bellows which covers universal joint in a marine inboard/outboard drive unit. The flexible bellows has an end portion which is inserted within a cylindrical opening in an outboard drive casing. The bellows end portion is secured by a retaining sleeve which engages the inner surface of the bellows and forms a seal between the casing and the retaining sleeve. The retaining sleeve has a tubular body to engage the end portion of the flexible bellow and a flange portion to affix the retaining sleeve to the swivel casing. The retaining sleeve has a pair of lips attached to its flange portion for easy installation and removal.

Abstract: A marine drive which mounts through a hole in the bottom surface of a boat utilizes a driveshaft housing assembly, an engine mounted to the driveshaft assembly and a lower propeller drive unit mounted to the driveshaft housing assembly. The driveshaft housing assembly which mounts the drive within the hole in the boat includes a driveshaft housing, a steering assembly constructed to rotate about a generally vertical axis within said driveshaft housing assembly to provide steering, a trimming assembly connected to the steering assembly to pivotably swing the lower propeller drive unit to provide trimming/tilting, a driveshaft and an exhaust passageway therethrough.

Abstract: A method is provided for constructing an engine-powered propeller-driven boat. The method involves first pre-assembling a propulsion system, comprising a plurality of separate pre-machined components such as a propeller shaft, a shaft support strut, and a thrust bearing assembly, on a main casting in a manner so as to assure proper fit and alignment of the components. The components are then disassembled from the casting, and the main casting is mounted on a hull mold in a predetermined position. The hull is then formed by laying up laminations within the hull mold around and over the main casting such that the main casting is made integral with the hull. Thereafter, the components of the propulsion system are re-assembled on the integral main casting so that the components, which now fully aligned, become part of the boat. The thrust bearing assembly includes a main housing which is isolated by a rubber laminate from the bearing housing so as to eliminate propeller shaft vibrations.

Abstract: A marine stern drive unit (1) includes an assemblage of a propeller-carrying drive shaft housing (10), a bell housing (9) and gimbal housing (8). Mating flow-through passages (21, 23) are disposed in the drive shaft housing and bell housing, and a dual control valve system (30, 31) joins the passages at their juncture. The valve system is arranged to be open when the two housings are assembled, but closes automatically when the housings are disassembled to retain lubricant in the separate housing assembles when the latter are separated for servicing. The valve system includes a valve (31) in one of the passages (23) which is constructed to be snapped together and to be held firmly within the passage, but manually and quickly releasable therefrom when desired. The fluid passage (23, 26) in the bell housing communicates to the gimbal housing which has a sealed fitting (60) and a lubricant carrying portion (65) passing through the usual gimbal mounting hole (14) of the boat transom (2).

Abstract: A shaft pressure ring for use in conjuction with a boat having an inboard motor and a drive shaft protruding through a shaft logseal assembly mounted in the hull of the boat, the hull including a shaft log area surrounding the drive shaft, the shaft pressure ring comprising a deflector, the deflector having an inside diameter being annular in shape, the deflector being of a rigid material and adapted to be positioned upon the drive shaft a sufficient distance from the seal such that the shaft pressure ring will deflect a portion of the water passing beneath the hull of the boat in a direction toward, and onto, the shaft log seal. The splasher will continuously lubricate and cool the shaft log seal to prevent drying, burning, deterioration, and eventual leakage.

Abstract: A method is provided for constructing an inboard power boat. The method employs an integrated propulsion and steering unit, and involves applying an insert having an exterior shape corresponding to the exterior shape of the unit to a conventional mold for the boat hull, forming the boat hull by applying laminations to the mold so as to encapsulate the insert, removing the hull from the mold, and fitting the unit to the impression left in the hull by the insert. A universal joint is used to connect the unit to the boat engine. The integrated propulsion and steering unit includes a thrust bearing assembly disposed at the end of a shaft support barrel between the engine drive and the propeller shaft. The support barrel is formed integrally with a base plate which is secured to the boat and which also includes, a part of the integrated unit, a bore for the rudder and one or more downwardly depending propeller support struts.

Abstract: Two embodiments of improved jet drive units for watercraft wherein the jet drive impeller shaft is coupled to the engine drive shaft by a slip spline connection for facilitating removal of the jet drive unit for servicing without removal of the engine. In addition, an improved connection is provided between the impeller shaft and the impeller that dispenses for the need for splines and thus permits a smaller impeller hub and a greater efficiency jet drive unit.

Abstract: Several embodiments of water propulsion units for water jet propulsion crafts wherein an improved bearing support is provided for supporting an elongated drive shaft to permit the engine to be positioned well forwardly in the hull. In accordance with each embodiment, the bearing support member is elongated and is affixed rigidly to the jet propulsion unit in a radial direction for facilitating alignment.

Abstract: A marine propulsion device comprising a pivot housing adapted to be mounted on the transom of a boat for pivotal movement relative to the transom about a generally vertical steering axis, and about a generally horizontal tilt axis, the pivot housing including a rear end and an opening, a propulsion unit removably connected to the rear end of the pivot housing for pivotal movement with the pivot housing, a flexible bellows having an end communicating with the opening in the pivot housing, and a removable spring clamp for securing the end of the bellows to the pivot housing, the spring clamp functioning independently of the connection of the propulsion unit to the pivot housing and being removable from the rear end of the pivot housing when the propulsion unit is disconnected from the pivot housing.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a transmission for a small boat including a hull, an engine mounted on the hull, the engine having a crankshaft, and an impeller having an impeller shaft journaled by the hull. The transmission includes an intermediate shaft positioned between the crankshaft and the impeller shaft, a pair of coupling joints angularly movably connected to both ends of the intermediate shaft and connected to the crankshaft and to the impeller shaft. A bearing is connected to the intermediate shaft between the ends thereof, and a resilient mount is connected to the bearing and mounted on the hull for elastically journaling the intermediate shaft on the hull.

Abstract: The ship's hull with a cantilevered elastic stern tube arrangement for the elastic mounting of the tailshaft is extended in aft direction aft of the area of restraint of the stern tube (1) which is surrounded by the extended ship's hull in such a way that a direct coupling is avoided and an influence on its vibrational behaviour excluded so that the aftbody is shifted close towards the propeller 8 resulting in an increased overall propulsive efficiency and thus in an improvement of economy.

Abstract: A propeller assembly (2), a so-called thruster, intended to be fitted to an opening (7) in a bottom part (1) of the shell structure of a watercraft, for example an offshore-platform, is provided with a mounting flange (9) which can be connected in a pressure tight fashion to the shell structure around the opening (7). To enable the assembly to be fitted and dismantled from outside the shell structure and beneath the surface of the water on which the craft floats without requiring the assistance of a diver there are used a plurality of lines (12) which can be connected to lifting devices in the watercraft and passed out through a corresponding number of line openings (13) located in the shell structure on one side of the assembly mounting opening (7), so that the ends of the lines can be connected to the line attachments (16; 37) on the assembly (2).

Abstract: An apparatus for covering a stern drive aperture in the hull of a boat. It comprises a planar plate having a plurality of arm members projecting outwardly from its sides. It further has a hole completely through the surface of the plate which is encircled by the mouth of a hollow vessel. The apparatus is useful in protecting the exposed parts of a boat engine when the external drive mechanism is removed for storage or shipment.

Abstract: A ship includes a rudder and a propeller having a propeller shaft arranged adjacent a stern of the ship. A bottom of stern is made shallow to expose the propeller for a long distance and the rudder is arranged in a space defined by the bottom of the stern, the propeller shaft and a propeller post supporting the propeller shaft, thereby arranging the rudder nearer to a bow of the ship than the propeller. The propeller shaft comprises oil-water partition rings encircling the propeller shaft, and a bearing for the propeller shaft is formed with circular grooves which accommodate therein the oil-water partition rings and communicate with at least one oil-water separating pressurizing tank to form a water exhausting passage on an outer side of each the partition ring and an oil exhausting passage on an inner side of the partition ring.

Abstract: A stern tube seal device providing a seal about a rotatable shaft includes an annular case member arranged about the outer periphery of a shaft, a gap between the annular case member and the shaft sealed by a plurality of lip seals, a floating ring seal or a pressure type hollow ring is arranged in the middle of the lip seal, and pressure fluid is charged into the rear portion of the floating ring seal or into the pressure type hollow ring to enhance the sealing effect by the pressure of the fluid.

Abstract: A marine propulsion device comprising a mounting bracket assembly adapted to be mounted on a boat transom for pivotal movement relative to the boat transom about a generally horizontal tilt axis, a propulsion unit including an internal combustion engine and rotatably connected to the mounting bracket assembly for rotation relative to the mounting bracket assembly about a generally vertical steering axis, and for common pivotal movement with the mounting bracket assembly about the tilt axis, a shroud substantially enclosing the engine, and a duct including a first rigid portion adapted for connection to and through the transom of the boat, and a second rigid portion communicating with and being rotatably connected to the first rigid portion for rotation about the tilt axis, and communicating with and being rotatably connected to the shroud for rotation about the steering axis.

Abstract: A boat drive has a leg formed by three portions, the upper portion passing through the transom opening and may be preassembled with the inboard engine. Lower leg portions are readily detachable from the upper. The leg has a forward and an aft engine cooling water intake ports. A water pump is supplied water via a channel connected to the aft port which joins a forward port, and another channel lead to the water pump. When the leg is tilted up, aft port is out of water but the channels form a water lock where they join to prevent sucking of air through aft port. The leg includes exhaust passageway through propeller hub, and check valve element moves to close exhaust passageway during reverse. Another exhaust outlet is near or above water level and the exhaust passage leading thereto is closed by a water lock which receives water from a water inlet port in the trim tab. A torsion intermediate shaft drives the propeller through a rubber damping and overload-preventing coupling.

Abstract: A cover is designed for the majority of MerCrusier inboard/outboard motor bell housings which is conveniently attached using the existing studs exposed when the lower unit is removed. The non weather-proof parts being exposed when the lower unit is removed are thereby protected while in dry dock or when the boat is returned to the water without the lower unit.

Abstract: The mounting of a thruster propeller unit in the bottom plating of a vessel is facilitated by the use of lifting lines, operable from within the vessel. Each line is made to pass a lock chamber adjacent to an opening in the bottom plating, outside the opening where the thruster propeller is to be fitted. The lock chamber includes a first, rigid tubular member, which is formed as the housing for a slide valve, as well as a second tubular member, which is resilient at least in the transverse direction. The two tubular members define a passage being substantially wider than the diameter of the lifting line. The second tubular member is at its top provided with a sealing sleeve which fits around the line. The locking chamber is connected to a source of compressed air, which makes it possible to maintain a pressure within the chamber balancing the pressure of the surrounding water.

Abstract: A marine outdrive attachable to the transom of a boat having an inboard engine. The marine outdrive includes a tubular support casing securable to and extendable rearwardly of the boat's transom and having a ball socket at its rear end. The ball socket receives a ball at the front end of a tubular, propeller shaft carrier having a conical outer surface. A drive shaft connectable to the inboard engine is journalled in the support casing. A propeller shaft is journalled in the propeller shaft carrier and has a propeller mounted thereon at the rear end of the propeller shaft carrier. A universal joint couples the two shafts together, the center of such joint substantially coinciding with the point about which the ball pivots within the socket. Hydraulic steering cylinders are attached to the propeller shaft carrier to pivot the latter about a steering axis extending through the pivot point of the ball.

Abstract: Several embodiments of improved sealing arrangements for sealingly engaging an auxiliary power unit and the portion of the hull of a water craft that defines an opening through which the power unit drive extends. In each embodiment the seal has an opening that is sized to pass the power unit and an arrangement is provided for forcing the seal into sealing engagement with the power unit. In some embodiments two axially spaced seals are provided and an arrangement is incorporated for limiting the degree of relative movement by the power unit and the hull. In one embodiment a water sensor is positioned in the area between the two spaced seals for detecting failure of one of the seals. The support for the sensor is such that it may be removed and inserted along with the power unit without damage to the seal.

Abstract: An inboard outboard drive is at the housing portion passing through the hull provided for sealing and damped support, with a resilient element with a non-collapsible cross-sectional shape which is subject to a constantly acting compressing force, conveniently generated by the weight of the engine. When cracks occur in the resilient element, the edges of the cracks are pressed together by this compressing force, whereby penetration of water into the hull is prevented or at least rendered more difficult. The invention is suited for application in inboard outboard drives of the S-type as well as of the Z-type.

Abstract: An adapter assembly for surface mounting of marine instruments and the like through a constant diameter opening in a marine vessel surface and the like; including a cylindrical mount housing having a tapered annular end; an adapter member having a central frusto-conical opening; an enlarged diameter inwardly tapered end; and an opposite end having a reduced diameter flat annular surface and an outwardly tapered annular surface joining the extremity of the inwardly tapered end.

Abstract: An inboard outboard drive having a structural part which passes through an opening in the hull of a boat. A mounting shield for supporting the structural part is at its inner portion provided with symmetrical receiver grooves into which the support flanges on the structural part may be selectively inserted in either one of two reversed positions and has in an outer portion an asymmetrically located flange for securing to the hull. The shield may according to need be put on the inner or outer side of the hull, depending on which of them is more even than the other.

Abstract: This invention discloses a seal arrangement between an outdrive unit and a hull of a vessel, comprising an outdrive unit connected to an engine and mounted on a bed of the hull, the outdrive unit projecting downward through an opening in the hull; a diaphragm seal fixed to the hull and the outdrive unit for sealing a space between the hull and the outdrive unit; an annular seal flange projecting above the diaphragm seal from the bed toward the outdrive unit; and a ring seal arranged between the outdrive unit and the seal flange for sealing a space therebetween; characterized in that; both ends of the ring seal are fastened to the outdrive unit and the seal flange, respectively. A water sensor connected to a warning device is arranged in a space between the diaphragm seal and the ring seal.

Abstract: Apparatus for driving a surfboard comprising an internal combustion engine mounted on a box on rear portion of the surfboard and a water jet propelling device driven by the internal combustion engine for propelling the surfboard. The exhaust gas system and the water jet propelling device are provided in the box. A part of the jet water is used as a cooling water of the engine. The box comprises three superimposed cases having partitions, dividing the box into an exhaust gas passageway constituting a plurality of expansion chambers and passages for exhaust gases with the exhaust gas passageway defining a gas exhaust path arranged in three dimensions, thereby preventing entry of water from the outlet port through the exhaust gas passageway to the exhaust port of the engine.

Abstract: A stern tube bearing for vessels is sealed off in a leakproof aft seal asbly which comprises at least one annular chamber between axially spaced sealing elements. The annular chamber is filled with a liquid for lubricating the sealing elements. The liquid is circulated in a circulation system through a separating tank. The head of the circulated liquid is lower than the head of a lubricant in the stern tube bearing which again is lower than the lowest possible head of the sea-water surrounding the aft seal assembly. Any sea-water or dirt entering into the annular chamber will be removed out of it by the circulated liquid and separated from it in the separating tank which can be provided with devices for supervising the circulation system. A forward seal assembly of the stern tube bearing may be included in the circulation system.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a marine propulsion installation comprising a boat hull including a transom having therein an aperture, a propulsion unit including a powerhead compartment which is located aft of the transom, which includes a hollow interior housing an internal combustion engine, which is substantially closed, and which includes a forwardly located wall having therein an aperture, a bracket connecting the propulsion unit to the transom for pivotal movement relative thereto, a flexible boot sealingly connected to the transom and to the forwardly located wall and including a hollow interior in communication through the opening in the transom with the atmosphere forwardly of the transom and communicating through the aperture in the forwardly located wall with the interior of the powerhead compartment, and one or more flexible components extending from forwardly of the boat transom and through the interior of the boot to within the powerhead compartment, which components includes a fuel line, an electrical co

Abstract: An installation for the support of an inboard engine at a transom plate connected with the boat transom for an outboard drive of a propeller, in which a neck secured at the boat engine and receiving the connecting shaft between the boat engine and the outboard drive is inserted into an aperture of the transom plate and is connected with the transom plate, respectively, with the aperture thereof by way of an elastic element surrounding the neck; the elastic element is retained at the neck by axially clamping its inner circumferential area and axially clamping its outer circumference area at the transom plate while a radially and axially elastic section which is not clamped is provided between these two clamping areas.

Abstract: An arrangement for sealingly mounting a propeller shaft in a passage of the stern region of a watercraft hull includes a supporting sleeve, a separating sleeve closely surrounding the propeller shaft and received in the supporting sleeve coaxially therewith and with the propeller shaft, dynamic seals in the interface between the propeller shaft and the separating sleeve, sliding or rolling-type bearings in the space between the supporting sleeve and the separating sleeve, and a shaft-type seals at the respective ends of the space between the supporting sleeve and the separating sleeve. The separating sleeve separates the bearings from the dynamic seals so that a lubricant which lubricates the bearings cannot escape into the waters partially surrounding the arrangement passed the dynamic seals. The shaft-type seals prevent the lubricant from escaping into the water or into the interior of the watercraft hull.

Abstract: A motor and a propeller for a canoe are mounted to be manually positioned either within a box over an opening through the bottom of the canoe or, for operation, below both the box and the hull of the canoe. The motor is connected to the box by a usual control shaft, the control shaft extending upwardly through a supporting member and a cover of the box. Resilient grommets about the shaft and polyethylene foam insulation of the supporting member dampen noise and vibration. The supporting member moves either upwardly or downwardly with the motor and in a downward position closes the bottom of the box to prevent eddy currents within the box.