Abstract: A system for antifouling of a marine drive having a frame coupled to a propulsor housing may include a vibration dampening joint which couples the propulsor housing to the frame or an extension thereof. The vibration dampening joint may include an isolator connector assembly having an elastomeric member which is clamped between the propulsor housing and the frame or the extension thereof such that all vibrations emanating from the propulsor housing pass through the elastomeric member. A power source for providing electricity may be supported on the frame. An electric circuit may have a first end coupled to the power source and an opposite, second end coupled to the propulsor housing. The electric circuit may be configured to convey electricity from the power source to the propulsor housing and thus prevent fouling thereof, wherein the electric circuit extends through the vibration dampening joint.

Abstract: A method for maneuvering a marine vessel includes receiving an input signal from an analog user input device and comparing a magnitude of the input signal to a predetermined threshold. In response to the magnitude of the input signal being less than the predetermined threshold, the method includes actuating a first marine propulsion device to produce thrust. In response to the magnitude of the input signal being greater than or equal to the predetermined threshold, the method includes actuating the first marine propulsion device and a second marine propulsion device to produce thrust. The second marine propulsion device does not produce thrust when the magnitude of the input signal is less than the predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A marine drive is for propelling a marine vessel in a body of water. The marine drive has a supporting frame configured to support the marine drive with respect to the marine vessel, an extension leg depending on the supporting frame, a motor housing depending on the extension leg, the motor housing for containing an electric motor, and a vibration isolating joint which couples the extension leg to the supporting frame. The vibration isolating joint having an isolating connector assembly including an elastomeric member which is clamped between the extension leg and the supporting frame and configured to limit transfer of vibrations from the extension leg to the supporting frame, and a compression limiter which prevents over clamping of the elastomeric member during assembly of the extension leg and the motor housing.

Abstract: A method for maneuvering a marine vessel includes receiving an input signal from an analog user input device and comparing a magnitude of the input signal to a predetermined threshold. In response to the magnitude of the input signal being less than the predetermined threshold, the method includes actuating a first marine propulsion device to produce thrust. In response to the magnitude of the input signal being greater than or equal to the predetermined threshold, the method includes actuating the first marine propulsion device and a second marine propulsion device to produce thrust. The second marine propulsion device does not produce thrust when the magnitude of the input signal is less than the predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A method for maneuvering a marine vessel includes receiving an input signal from an analog user input device and comparing a magnitude of the input signal to a predetermined threshold. In response to the magnitude of the input signal being less than the predetermined threshold, the method includes actuating a first marine propulsion device to produce thrust. In response to the magnitude of the input signal being greater than or equal to the predetermined threshold, the method includes actuating the first marine propulsion device and a second marine propulsion device to produce thrust. The second marine propulsion device does not produce thrust when the magnitude of the input signal is less than the predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A steering actuator is for steering an outboard marine engine about a steering axis. The steering actuator has a piston device and a valve device. Hydraulic actuation of the piston device causes the outboard marine engine to pivot about the steering axis. The valve device controls a flow of hydraulic fluid to the piston device to thereby hydraulically actuate the piston device. The valve device comprises a lead screw; a motor configured to rotate the lead screw in a first rotational direction and alternately in an opposite, second rotational direction; and a ball nut coupled to the lead screw such that rotation of the lead screw causes the ball nut to axially move along the lead screw, and wherein axial movement of the ball nut along the lead screw actuates the valve device, which thereby actuates the piston device to steer the outboard marine engine.

Abstract: An intake system is for a marine drive. The intake system comprises a throttle device that receives intake air for combustion; an intake conduit that conveys the intake air to the throttle device, wherein the intake conduit has an upstream inlet end, a downstream outlet end, and a radially outer surface that extends from the upstream inlet end to the downstream outlet end; and an intake silencer coupled to the radially outer surface and configured to attenuate sound emanating from the intake system.

Abstract: A steering mechanism connects the shaft of an actuator with a piston rod of a hydraulic cylinder and provides a spool valve in which the spool valve housing is attached to the hydraulic cylinder and the shaft of the actuator extends through a cylindrical opening in a spool of the spool valve. The connector is connectable to a steering arm of a marine propulsion device and the spool valve housing is connectable to a transom of a marine vessel.

Abstract: A support system for a marine engine provides a plurality of mounts that have primary axes that are aligned in parallel relation with a piston symmetry plane of the engine. These primary axes of the mounts are also aligned with the central axes of the cylinders of the engine. This arrangement improves the damping function of the mounts and more effectively isolates engine vibrations from the marine vessel.

Abstract: A block of material is attached to a surface of a throttle plate in a throttle body assembly for the purpose of reducing sound emanating from the throttle plate region. The block of material has a first edge attached proximate to a perimeter of the throttle plate and second edge disposed more proximate the pivot axis of the throttle plate. The block of material is formed to have a central region and two distal regions. The distal regions are hyperbolic in shape and taper toward the outer edges of the block of material. Two holes are formed through the block of material.