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: 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: A stern bracket for mounting a drive unit to a watercraft including a transom. The drive unit is pivotable with respect to the stern bracket about a tilt axis. The stern bracket includes a support member for fixing the drive unit to the transom and a water deflector. The water deflector comprises a mounting bracket attached to the support member and a deflection plate connected to the mounting bracket. The deflection plate, disposed at a vertical position lower than the tilt axis, extends between the transom and the drive unit mounted to the stern bracket mounted to the transom. A left deflection wing, connected to at least one of the deflection plate and the mounting bracket, extends downward and laterally outward therefrom. A right deflection wing, connected to at least one of the deflection plate and the mounting bracket, extends downward and laterally outward therefrom. A watercraft is also disclosed.

Abstract: A propeller assembly is disclosed, comprising propeller blades pivotably mounted on a propeller hub. A cam follower is disposed on each propeller blade. A cam is movable between a first position, a second position and a third position. Recesses formed in the cam have a first segment, a second segment and a third segment, oriented at first, second and third angles. The first segment is oriented at a first angle relative to the central axis. The cam followers engage the first segment of the recesses when the cam moves between first and second positions to vary the pitch of the propeller blades between a first pitch and a second pitch. The cam followers engage the second segment of the recesses when the cam moves between second and third positions to vary the pitch of the propeller blades between the second pitch and a third pitch.