Abstract: An outboard engine has a bracket. A drive unit mounted thereto is pivotable about a steering axis with respect thereto by a steering actuator. A motor operatively connected to the steering actuator is mounted to the bracket and rotationally fixed with respect thereto about the steering axis. A control module includes a motor drive electrically connected to the motor and configured to be connected to a power source. An electrically conductive thermal element is electrically connected to the motor. A temperature of the thermal element is indicative of a temperature of the motor. A controller is configured to obtain the temperature of the thermal element and to control power delivered to the motor via the motor drive based at least in part on the temperature of the thermal element. The controller and the thermal element are mounted to the drive unit and pivotable therewith about the steering axis.

Abstract: A marine outboard engine for a watercraft has a stern bracket for mounting the marine outboard engine to the watercraft, a swivel bracket pivotally connected to the stern bracket about a generally horizontal tilt/trim axis, and a drive unit pivotally connected to the swivel bracket about a steering axis. The steering axis is generally perpendicular to the tilt/trim axis. A hydraulic actuator is operatively connected to the stern bracket and the swivel bracket for pivoting the swivel bracket and the drive unit relative to the stern bracket about the tilt/trim axis. A pump is mounted to the swivel bracket. The pump is pivotable about the tilt/trim axis together with the swivel bracket. The pump is fluidly connected to the hydraulic actuator to supply hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic actuator.

Abstract: A cylinder comprises a cylinder axis, a cylindrical wall, and an exhaust port defined in the wall. At least one central transfer port and at least two side transfer ports are defined in the wall. Each of the at least one central transfer port and each of the at least two side transfer ports has a transfer channel extending therefrom. For each of the at least one central transfer port, an angle about the cylinder axis between a center of the central transfer port and a center of the exhaust port is greater than 135° and less than or equal to 180°. For each of the at least two side transfer ports, an angle about the cylinder axis between a center of the side transfer port and the center of the exhaust port is less than or equal to 135°. Engines and cylinder blocks are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for controlling a trim position of a marine propulsion unit for propelling a watercraft has the steps of: sensing an engine speed; positioning the propulsion unit at a first trim angle when the engine speed is less than or equal to a first predetermined engine speed, the first trim angle being constant; positioning the propulsion unit at a second trim angle when the engine speed is greater than the first predetermined engine speed and less than the second predetermined engine speed; and positioning the propulsion unit at a third trim angle when the engine speed is greater than or equal to the second predetermined engine speed, the third trim angle being constant. A system for controlling a trim position of a marine propulsion unit for propelling a watercraft is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for limiting motion of at least one outboard engine of a watercraft to at least one desired limit position in at least one direction is disclosed. The method comprises initiating a calibration process by inputting a sequence of at least one state of at least one switch, moving the at least one outboard engine about at least one axis in the at least one direction until the at least one desired limit positions is reached, sensing a position of the at least one outboard engine about the at least one axis when the at least one outboard engine is at the at least one desired limit position, and recording the sensed position to be a limit position. A method for limiting motion of a plurality of outboard engines, and a watercraft are also disclosed.

Abstract: An electrical system for an outboard engine has a generator, a starter motor, a connector having first, second and third connector terminals, the first connector terminal being connected to the generator, the second connector terminal being connected to the starter motor, and the third connector terminal being connected to ground, and a cap connected to the connector. The cap has a first cap terminal connected to the first connector terminal and a second cap terminal connected to the second connector terminal. The first cap terminal is connected to the second cap terminal. An electrical system having a battery connected to the connector instead of the cap is also disclosed. An outboard engine having the system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A gear case assembly for a marine propulsion system has a gear case having a first end adapted to connect the gear case to a remainder of the marine propulsion system, and a second end disposed opposite the first end. A driveshaft is disposed at least in part in the gear case. A propeller shaft, operatively connected to an end of the driveshaft, is disposed at an angle thereto. The end of the driveshaft and at least a portion of the propeller shaft are disposed in a transmission chamber defined in the gear case. An expansion port is defined in the gear case. A container, defining an expansion chamber, is disposed outside the gear case. The expansion port fluidly communicates the transmission chamber with the expansion chamber. An outboard engine is also disclosed.

Abstract: A cowling for housing an outboard engine. The cowling includes a plurality of walls defining at least in part an engine compartment. An engine compartment inlet, in fluid communication with the engine compartment, is defined at least in part by at least one of the plurality of walls. A hydrophobic mesh member disposed across the inlet is adapted to prevent at least a portion of a water content of an airflow flowing to the engine compartment via the engine compartment inlet from entering the engine compartment. An outboard engine having the cowling is also disclosed.

Abstract: A pontoon boat has left and right pontoons extending longitudinally, a tunnel therebetween, and a deck supported thereon. Bow and stern ends, and a boat length therebetween, are defined by at least one of the pontoons and the deck. An opening of the deck communicating with a tunnel thereunder has an outboard engine mounted therein and a hatch disposed thereover. A longitudinal center plane is vertical and equidistant from the bow and stern ends. A drive unit of the engine has a driveshaft, a propeller shaft operatively connected thereto, and a propeller connected to the propeller shaft. A mounting bracket connects the drive unit to the deck. The engine is disposed forward of the stern end by a distance at least equal to one-fourth of the boat length. The engine is aligned with or rearward of a longitudinal center plane. A method of operating the pontoon boat is also disclosed.

Abstract: A marine outboard engine includes an engine having a front, back, top and two lateral sides. A cowling, covering the engine at least partially, includes a central support structure fixedly connected to at least one of the engine, a swivel bracket, and an exhaust system. The central support structure extending across at least a portion of the front, top and back of the engine defines at least partially a space through which at least a portion of at least one of its lateral sides is accessible. The space is selectively covered by at least one side panel which is at least partially selectively connected to the central support structure and at least partially disconnectable therefrom to reveal the portion of the at least one of the lateral sides of the engine while the central support structure extends across at least the portion of the front, top and back thereof.

Abstract: A marine outboard engine has a cowling having at least one rear panel at a rear end of the cowling. The cowling encloses a power head. A plurality of mount points are disposed inside the cowling and adapted for rigidly mounting a tie-bar bracket. Each mount point is rigidly connected to the power head and has a bracket-mounting hole formed therein. The at least one rear panel has defined thereon a visual indication of an area to be removed to create an opening adapted for receiving therethrough a tie-bar bracket mounted on and extending from the mount points. A tie-bar bracket having a mounting portion and a tie-bar coupling portion is also disclosed. A method of assembling the tie-bar bracket in the cowling is also disclosed.

Abstract: The gear case assembly has a gear case, a driveshaft and a propeller shaft mounted at an angle to the driveshaft, each at least partly disposed within the gear case, a transmission having forward and reverse gears and a shift rod, and an electric transmission actuator assembly having an actuation axis and an actuator end engaging the shift rod. The transmission is operatively connected the propeller shaft and the driveshaft selectively drives the propeller shaft via the transmission. An actuator chamber houses at least part of the actuator assembly. There is a gap between the actuator assembly and an actuator chamber wall in a direction perpendicular to the actuation axis. The gap is sized and shaped to permit a translation of the actuator assembly away from the shift rod for disengagement from the shift rod. A gear case, a marine outboard engine and a method of assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: A marine outboard engine has an engine, a cowling, an alternator, and a controller electrically connected to the alternator. A primary charger is electrically connected to the alternator and is adapted to charge a primary energy storage device. A starter motor is selectively operatively connected to the engine and is adapted to be electrically connected to the primary energy storage device. An auxiliary charger is electrically connected to the alternator and is adapted to charge at least one auxiliary battery adapted to power an auxiliary device. The controller, the primary charger and the auxiliary charger are disposed inside the cowling. A vehicle bus connects the auxiliary charger with the controller to provide data from the controller to the auxiliary charger. A watercraft having the marine outboard engine and an auxiliary device is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for providing an outboard engine to a client includes providing the client with an outboard engine core having an engine and an electronic management module, the electronic management module being adapted to run at least one of a plurality of software. Each of the plurality of software (i) is adapted to control at least one engine operating parameter during operation of the engine, and (ii) corresponds to at least one engine operation mode selected from a list of engine operation modes. The method also includes providing the client with the list of engine operation modes, requesting from the client a selection of at least one engine operation mode, and allowing the client to activate at least one of the plurality of software corresponding to the selection on the electronic management module. A system for providing an outboard engine to a client is also disclosed.

Abstract: A variable pitch propeller comprises a plurality of blades pivotally connected to a hub. Each of the plurality of blades has a base having a leading end and a trailing end. The trailing edge has a notch therein forming a discontinuity in a profile of the trailing edge. The notch is sized and shaped so as to accommodate passage therethrough of a portion of the leading edge of an adjacent blade when the blade and the adjacent blade are pivoted. A blade for a variable pitch propeller is also presented.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine has at least two exhaust ports and a valve assembly. The valve assembly has first and second connectors, first and second actuator pistons connected to their corresponding connectors, the first and second actuator pistons being disposed in first and second chambers respectively, and first and second valves connected to their corresponding connectors. The first connector, actuator piston and valve are movable together between first and second positions. The second connector, actuator piston, and valve are movable together between first and second positions. A first fluid line supplies hydraulic fluid in the first and second chambers on a first side of the first and second actuator pistons. A second fluid line supplies hydraulic fluid in the first and second chambers on a second side of the first and second actuator pistons. At least one fluid pump supplies hydraulic fluid to the first and second fluid lines.

Abstract: A gear case assembly for an outboard engine has a gear case, a driveshaft having a part disposed within the gear case, a bevel gear connected to the part of the driveshaft, a propeller shaft, and a transmission operatively connected to the bevel gear. The bevel gear selectively drives the propeller shaft via the transmission. The transmission has forward and reverse gears operatively connected to the bevel gear, and a shift assembly adapted for actuation by a shift actuator. The shift assembly has first and second rod portions and at least one resilient member. The at least one resilient member operatively connects the first rod portion to the second rod portion. The first rod portion is movable relative to the second rod portion.

Abstract: An inlet grate for a water jet propulsion system to be used in a watercraft has a water passage having an inlet defined by a forward and a rearward area with respect to the watercraft. The inlet grate comprises a first end portion adapted to be connected to the forward area of the inlet and a second end portion adapted to be connected to the rearward area of the inlet as well as at least one elongated member extending from the first end portion toward the second end portion. The inlet grate also comprises at least one deflector having a forward end and a rearward end, the forward end being adjacent to the first end portion of the inlet grate.

Abstract: A marine outboard motor comprises first and second cylinder blocks connected to a crankcase having a crankshaft. Each cylinder block contains a cylinder having a cylinder central axis, and a piston reciprocally mounted within the cylinder. First and second planes are defined by the first and second cylinder central axis and the crankshaft axis. The first and second planes are at a first angle less than 120 degrees. The exhaust manifold is at least in part within a valley formed between the first and second cylinder blocks. A configuration with a third cylinder block opposite to the first and second cylinder blocks is also described. A third plane is defined by a third cylinder central axis and the crankshaft axis. The third plane is at a second angle to the first plane and at a third angle to the second plane. The second and third angle can be equal.

Abstract: A drive unit has an engine, an operatively connected driveshaft, a transmission, and a propeller shaft connected to a rotor outside a gear case. A plate, extending above the rotor, is adapted to slidingly receive along a joint axis, an accessory having an accessory joint element which is one of a channel and a protrusion. Extending parallel to the joint axis along a plate joint surface, which is one of a first surface facing away from the rotor and a second surface facing toward the rotor, is a plate joint element, which is the other of the channel and the protrusion, adapted to slidingly interlock with the accessory joint element to thereby prevent displacement thereof in a first direction parallel to the plate joint surface and perpendicular to the joint axis, and in a second direction normal to the plate joint surface. An accessory attachment method is also disclosed.